Talk show host Phil Donahue – who ruled the airwaves in the 1980s – passed away at age 88 after a long illness.
Soon after the star, who was the husband of Friends actress Marlo Thomas, received warm tributes from celebrity friends.
Sarah Jessica Parker took to Instagram to share a flashback photo of Phil on his talk show.
‘Phil Donohue, we loved you,’ began the Sex And The City veteran. ‘Thank you for multiple decades of smart, funny, informative and often very brave television.
‘We honor you, your work and your devotion to your audience. To @marlothomas and his family, my sincere condolences. RIP and Godspeed. X, SJ.’
Her friend Andy Cohen added, ‘Amen. Revolutionized the talk show and a great early voice for feminism and the lgbt community.’
Oprah, who has said Phil inspired her career, shared a black-and-white photo where the talk show giants were in an embrace.
Talk show host Phil Donahue – who ruled the airwaves in the 1980s – passed away at age 88 after a long illness. Oprah, who has said Phil inspired her career, shared a black-and-white photo where the talk show giants were in an embrace.
‘There wouldn’t have been an Oprah Show without Phil Donahue being the first to prove that daytime talk and women watching should be taken seriously,’ said Oprah on Instagram. Seen in 1996
‘There wouldn’t have been an Oprah Show without Phil Donahue being the first to prove that daytime talk and women watching should be taken seriously,’ said Oprah on Instagram.
‘He was a pioneer. I’m glad I got to thank him for it. Rest in peace Phil.’
Linda Evangelista hit the like button.
Katie Couric said she was ‘so sad to hear this news.’
‘Legendary talk show host Phil Donahue died on Sunday night following a long illness. He was 88 years old,’ she wrote, adding his obituary below.
Ricki Lake shared with People: ‘I loved Phil. A total pioneer and someone I greatly admired and learned from.
‘Was honored to appear on Oprah’s last season of her talk show with Phil and other talk show icons, Montel [Williams], Sally Jessy [Raphael] and Geraldo [Rivera],’ she added.
‘He will be greatly missed and what a legacy he has left behind! ‘
Sarah Jessica Parker took to Instagram to share a flashback photo of Phil on his talk show. ‘Phil Donohue, we loved you,’ began the Sex And The City veteran. ‘Thank you for multiple decades of smart, funny, informative and often very brave television’
Her friend Andy Cohen added, ‘Amen. Revolutionized the talk show and a great early voice for feminism and the lgbt community’; seen in 2022
Montel Williams shared a statement with People: ‘With a heavy heart, I bid farewell to Phil Donahue, the true godfather of the talk show genre.
‘Phil pioneered audience participation on critical issues, setting the standard for all of us who followed.
‘His contributions to television and dialogue on important societal topics are immeasurable,’ he continued.
‘My deepest condolences go out to his family during this time. Rest in peace, Phil—you will be missed but never forgotten.’
Director Michael Moore said a ‘good friend Phil Donahue has passed away.
Donahue is seen before being presented a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, for President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House in May
‘Fearless. Brave. Would not back down. Gave voice to the voiceless,’ he continued.
‘He was removed from TV for his outspoken stand against the Iraq War. Made one of the best docs ever- BODY OF WAR(2007). He was kind, giving, relentless. An inspiration.’
Donahue was an iconic TV star. He created and hosted The Phil Donahue Show for almost three decades.
Phil passed away on Sunday following a long illness.
In a statement given to TODAY, it’s been revealed that Donahue was surrounded by his family, including his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, their children and his grandchildren, when he passed away at his home.
The family have encouraged fans to make donations to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers.
Donahue began his media career in the 1950s, when he worked for local radio and TV stations in Cleveland.
Democratic presidential hopeful Gov. Bill Clinton, gestures as he speaks to Phil Donahue during taping of the Donahue program in 1992
In the 60s, he began hosting an eponymous phone-in talk show in Dayton, Ohio.
During this period, Donahue interviewed some of the most well-known public figures of the era, including former US President John F. Kennedy, late-night host Johnny Carson, and Malcolm X, the human rights activist who was a prominent figure during the civil rights movement.
Then, in November 1967, Donahue launched The Phil Donahue Show.
The iconic TV talk-show ran for 29 years and it even proved to be an international success, as it was also broadcast in the UK and Australia.
The show often focused on issues that divided liberals and conservatives in the US, such as civil rights and abortion.
Phil passed away on Sunday following a long illness. In a statement given to TODAY, it’s been revealed that Donahue was surrounded by his family, including his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, their children and his grandchildren, when he passed away at his home; seen in 1985
However, by the mid-90s, the show’s ratings were falling sharply as competition increased and the last episode of The Phil Donahue Show’ aired on September 13, 1996.
Despite this, Donahue is still widely revered in the TV industry.
Various stars have previously highlighted his influence on their careers.
Oprah Winfrey, for instance, acknowledged that Donahue was a big inspiration for her.
She once said: ‘If there had been no ‘Phil Donahue Show’, there would be no ‘Oprah Winfrey Show’.’
