Phil Donahue, legendary television personality, dies at 88

Transcript

00:00We are going to start with some sad news on this Monday, though, because just moments ago,

00:04we learned that television icon Phil Donahue has died. He died at the age of 88. He was, of course,

00:12a daytime staple for decades, pioneering the talk show format that has been

00:17replicated so many times since. You know, we overuse sometimes the word trailblazer,

00:22but he certainly was indeed. And he was born in Cleveland, Ohio.

00:26He began his career back in 1959, working in radio before making the move to TV. Earlier this

00:33summer, Donahue was among those honored at the White House when President Biden presented him

00:37with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor for an American civilian.

00:42And of course, he was married for more than 40 years to Marlo Thomas, a frequent guest and

00:48good friend of today. They met actually on his talk show in 1977. And then they got married in

00:54the 80s. And she said their love, she always said, love, listening and lust, the three L's

00:59are what kept their marriage going. You know, she's essentially, as we say, family to the show,

01:03cousin to the show. They were just telling me, I think she's been part of, you know,

01:06St. Jude and our partnership here for almost 21 years. Everything. Yeah. Thanks for giving

01:12so much of their lives has always been about giving. Donahue's family did release a statement

01:17saying that he died surrounded by his wife, Marlo, of 44 years, his sister, his children,

01:24grandchildren and his beloved Golden Retriever, Charlie Phil Donahue, 88 years old. He passed

01:31away peacefully following a long illness. And of course, our thoughts here at the show,

01:36at the network with Marlo and the family this morning. Absolutely.

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