by Abb Jones
The Reelness

Longtime TV talk show host Phil Donahue, who pioneered the now industry standard concept of interacting with the studio audience, has died at the age of 88.

Donahue died peacefully at his home in New York City Sunday night, surrounded by actress Marlo Thomas, his wife of 44 years, his sister, children, grandchildren, and beloved golden retriever Charlie. Cause of death wasn’t immediately released, but the family said Donahue had been suffering from a lengthy illness.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1935 to a furniture salesman and a homemaker, Donahue took a radio station job in Cleveland at the age of 22 that sparked his love for journalism and a decade later, his breakthrough job as a morning talk show host for a TV station in Dayton, Ohio. At his peak, Donahue’s nationally syndicated The Phil Donahue Show, later renamed Donahue, was a ratings juggernaut, bringing controversial and thought-provoking topics into American living rooms daily. An avowed feminist and women’s rights advocate, Donahue said he was most proud of his work in changing attitudes towards women in the workplace. His show ended in 1996 after 29 seasons and 20 Emmy Awards.

Donahue’s family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made either to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fun.