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The Life and Legacy of Phil Donahue: Pioneering Daytime Talk Shows
Phillip John Donahue (December 21, 1935 – August 18, 2024) was a prominent American media personality, writer, and film producer, best known as the creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show. This groundbreaking television program, later known as Donahue, was the first major talk show to introduce a format that included audience participation. The show enjoyed a remarkable 29-year run on national television, starting in Dayton, Ohio, in 1967 and concluding in New York City in 1996.
The Phil Donahue Show frequently tackled divisive issues in American society, such as abortion, consumer protection, civil rights, and war. Ralph Nader, a consumer advocate, was a frequent guest, and Donahue even campaigned for him during the 2000 presidential election. In 2002, Donahue briefly hosted a talk show on MSNBC until early 2003. Widely regarded as one of the most influential talk show hosts, Donahue earned the title "king of daytime talk." Oprah Winfrey once remarked, "If it weren't for Phil Donahue, there would never have been an Oprah Show." In 1996, he was honored by TV Guide as one of the "50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time."
Early Life Of Phil Donahue
Born into a middle-class Irish Catholic family in Cleveland, Ohio, Donahue's father, Phillip Donahue, worked as a furniture sales clerk. At the same time, his mother, Catherine (née McClory), was a department store shoe clerk. He completed his elementary education at Our Lady of Angels in 1949 and graduated from St. Edward High School in 1953. Donahue earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1957.
Phil Donahue Career
Donahue's career in media began in 1957 when he started as a production assistant at KYW radio and television in Cleveland. He got his first break as an announcer when the regular announcer was absent. After a brief stint as a bank check sorter in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he became the program director for WABJ radio in Adrian, Michigan. He later served as a stringer for the CBS Evening News and anchored the morning newscast at WHIO-TV in Dayton, Ohio. During his time in Dayton, Donahue hosted Conversation Piece, an afternoon phone-in talk show from 1963 to 1967, and interviewed notable figures like John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, and Johnny Carson.
The Phil Donahue Show
In 1967, Donahue left WHIO and moved his talk program to WLWD (now WDTN) in Dayton, Ohio, under the title The Phil Donahue Show. The program initially aired on Crosley Broadcasting Corporation stations but gained nationwide syndication in 1970. The show later moved to Chicago in 1974 and finally to New York City in 1984, where it was filmed at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. After nearly 7,000 episodes, Donahue aired its final episode on September 13, 1996.
During his tenure as a talk show host, Donahue made regular contributions to NBC's The Today Show from 1979 until 1988.
Honors ( Phil Donahue Medal Of Freedom)
Throughout his career, Donahue received numerous accolades, including 20 Daytime Emmy Award nominations, of which he won eight for Outstanding Talk Show Host. He was also honored with a Peabody Award in 1980 and was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 1993. In 2024, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden.
Phil Donahue's Personal Life
Donahue married Margaret Cooney in 1958, and they had five children: Michael, Kevin, Daniel, Mary Rose, and James. The couple divorced in 1975. He later married actress Marlo Thomas in 1980. Donahue was known for his critical stance on certain Catholic teachings, though he identified as Catholic throughout his life.
Phil Donahue Death
In 2014, Donahue's youngest son, James, passed away at the age of 51 due to a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Donahue himself passed away on August 18, 2024, at the age of 88, following a long illness.
Phil Donahue's first wife Margaret Cooney
Donahue married his college sweetheart, Margaret Cooney, in 1958, shortly after graduating from the University of Notre Dame. The couple had four sons, Michael, Kevin, Daniel, and James, as well as a daughter, Mary Rose. They divorced in 1975, with Donahue gaining custody of their four sons, while Cooney retained custody of their daughter. After their divorce, Cooney remarried and withdrew from public life. The couple’s youngest son, James, passed away in 2014 at the age of 51.
Phil Donahue's Second wife Marlo Thomas
Marlo Thomas, an actress and activist, met Donahue when she appeared on his talk show in 1977 to promote her comedy Thieves. They married in 1980 and remained together until Donahue's death. Thomas, known for her trailblazing role in the sitcom That Girl, has spoken openly about their marriage and her role as a stepmother to Donahue's children.
Phil Donahue Children
Michael Phillip Donahue
Phil and Cooney’s eldest son, Michael, was born in 1959. He attended New Trier East High School and the University of Colorado at Boulder. He pursued a career in broadcast media, working as an account executive at various companies, including Katz American TV and ABC.
Kevin John Donahue
Kevin, the second child of Phil and Cooney, was born around 1959. He attended the University of Kansas and has remained close to his father and stepmother. Over the years, Kevin has run several marathons, including in Stockholm in 1996.
Daniel Timothy Donahue
Daniel, the third son of Phil and Cooney, was born around 1961. Little is known about his life, although he has been involved in family gatherings and holiday celebrations.
Mary Rose Donahue
Mary Rose, the only daughter of Phil and Cooney, was born around 1965. After the couple's divorce, she moved to New Mexico with her mother. She later pursued culinary school and has been an active participant in family events.
James “Jim” Patrick Donahue
Phil and Cooney’s youngest child, James, was born around 1963. He worked as an investigative researcher and writer for Ralph Nader's nonprofit, Essential Information. James passed away in 2014 at the age of 51 due to a ruptured aortic aneurysm.
why is Phil Donahue in a wheelchair?
Phil Donahue is not publicly known to have been in a wheelchair during his life. As of my last update in August 2024, there is no widely reported information or credible sources that suggest he used a wheelchair for health reasons. Donahue, a prominent talk show host, remained active in the public eye for much of his life, though he did face health issues later in life, leading up to his death at the age of 88
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