- Born
- Died
- Birth namePhillip John Donahue Jr.
- Height6′ (1.83 m)
- Phil Donahue was an American media personality, writer, film producer, and the creator and host of Donahue (1967). His television program, later known as Donahue, was the first talk show format that included audience participation. The show had a 29-year run on national television in America that began in Dayton, Ohio, and ended in New York City in 1996.
His shows have often focused on issues that divide liberals and conservatives in the United States, such as abortion, consumer protection, civil rights and war issues. His most frequent guest was Ralph Nader, for whom Donahue campaigned in 2000. Donahue also briefly hosted a talk show on MSNBC from July 2002 to March 2003.
Phil Donahue is one of the most influential talk show hosts and has been called the "king of daytime talk." Oprah Winfrey has stated, "If it weren't for Phil Donahue, there would never have been an Oprah Show."
In 1996, Donahue was ranked #42 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.
- IMDb mini biography by: Tango Papa
- SpousesMarlo Thomas(May 21, 1980 - August 18, 2024) (his death)Margaret Mary Cooney(February 1, 1958 - 1975) (divorced, 5 children)
- ChildrenMichael DonahueKevin DonahueDaniel DonahueMary Rose DonahueJames Patrick Donahue
- ParentsPhillip John Donahue Sr.Catherine McClory
- RelativesKathleen Therese Donahue(Sibling)
- His deep, smooth, authoritative voice.
- Mostly wears glasses with his white hair.
- Often discusses issues that divide liberals and conservatives.
- Son-in-law of actor/producer Danny Thomas and Rose Marie Mantell Thomas.
- Brother-in-law of producer Tony Thomas and Terre Thomas.
- Attended and graduated from St. Edward High School, an all-boys college preparatory Catholic private school located in Lakewood, Ohio (1953).
- Received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame (ND), where he endowed a scholarship fund (1957).
- Supported anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan and protested the Iraq War (the Second Gulf War).
- While being interviewed on Today (1952) by Katie Couric in July 2002: "Don't be afraid of liberals. Some of them are my best friends. You can call us names, you can picket us but you cannot take our flag. We are as proud of America as anyone else".
- [on the death of father-in-law Danny Thomas in 1991] He hit the long ball for such a long time. He would hold an audience for an unprecedented length of time in the imagery of the story he was telling, and suddenly would come the punch line, and the ceiling would crack with laughter. He wove an illusion on the stage with no props, all by himself.
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