Phil Donahue, Legendary Talk Show Host, Dead At 88

By Ryan Schwartz
Phil Donahue dead, cause of death NBC/Everett Collection

Legendary talk show host Phil Donahue has died, TVLine has confirmed. He was 88 years old.

Donahue's passing was announced on Monday's episode of the Today show, where the following statement was read aloud: "Groundbreaking TV talk show journalist Phil Donahue died Sunday night at home surrounded by his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, his sister, his children, grandchildren, and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie. Donahue was 88 years old and passed away peacefully following a long illness." A specific cause of death was not disclosed.

You can watch the on-air announcement below:

Thomas shared a few thoughts surrounding her husband's passing in an emotional Instagram post on Monday afternoon. "I'm sure by now you've heard the very sad news that I lost my sweetheart last night, so I know you understand that I'll be stepping away from this page for a while to take care of myself and the many people who took care of Phil, and held him close to their hearts," she began.

"But I didn't want to disappear without saying thank you for the beautiful messages of love and support that have been coming in all day, and for the wonderful and generous way that you've let Phil and me share our life adventure with you over the years," Thomas continued. "As a man who spent his career loving his audiences, Phil got such a kick out of our cozy little community here, and I know he would be very touched by the heartwarming thoughts and memories you've been sharing."

Thomas concluded: "Until I return, I wish you good health and happy days in the company of family and friends, and I hope that you will continue to hold close those you cherish most, just as I was blessed to do with my beloved Phillip."

Donahue was a daytime TV fixture for nearly 30 years. The Phil Donahue Show — which was the first talk show to include audience participation — premiered in 1967, and entered nationwide syndication in 1970. Each episode focused on issues that divide liberals and conservatives, including abortion, consumer protection, civil rights and war. The show ran for 29 seasons, and ended upon Donahue's initial retirement in 1996.

In 2002, he returned to television as host of MSNBC's short-lived Donahue. It ran for eight months and was cancelled in March of 2003.

Donahue was the recipient of 20 Emmy Awards, including 10 Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Talk Show Host and six Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Talk Series. Donahue himself was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1993, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024.

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