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Donahue was the creator and host of the first TV talk show which featured audience participation.
WASHINGTON — Legendary TV talk show host Phil Donahue died Sunday night after a long illness, his family announced in a statement Monday morning, according to multiple media reports. He was 88.
Donahue was the creator and host of the first TV talk show which featured audience participation.
"The Phil Donahue Show" hit national syndication in 1969 and was renamed "Donahue" in 1974. It eventually reached more than 200 stations, according to VARIETY, and ran until 1996.
The Cleveland native was married for 44 years to Marlo Thomas of "That Girl" fame and The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The two met when she was a guest on his show.
"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," the family statement first reported by the "TODAY" show said.
After being married for forty years, Donahue and Thomas wrote the book "What Makes A Marriage Last," based on forty interviews they conducted with married couples.
In 1996, he was ranked No. 42 on TV Guide's list of the 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.
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