Phil Donahue, iconic daytime talk show host, passed away peacefully on August 18 at 88, with his wife Marlo Thomas and family by his side.

Born in 1935, Donahue started his media career in the late 1950s in Ohio. He launched *The Phil Donahue Show* in 1967, which became nationally syndicated in 1970. Known for tackling controversial topics, Donahue once said, “There would be no Donahue show if I hadn’t somehow accidentally brought in the audience.”

His show revolutionized daytime TV by involving the audience directly, influencing future hosts like Oprah Winfrey. Throughout his career, Donahue won 20 Emmy Awards and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund. Phil Donahue’s impact on television will be deeply missed.