Phil Donahue, the pioneering talk show host, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, August 18, at the age of 88, following a long illness. He was surrounded by his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, along with his sister, children, grandchildren, and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie, according to a statement shared with Today.

Born in 1935, Donahue began his media career in the late 1950s. Starting as a local reporter in his native Ohio, he soon launched The Phil Donahue Show. The show initially aired on a local CBS affiliate before moving to a local NBC affiliate in Dayton, Ohio, in 1967. Three years later, it was picked up for national syndication, reaching audiences across the country.

Donahue’s talk show was renowned for tackling controversial and groundbreaking topics, from child abuse in the Catholic Church to interviews with the former grand wizard of the Knights of the KKK. The Phil Donahue Show, later shortened to Donahue, set the standard for future daytime talk shows, becoming the first to allow audience members to question guests directly.

Reflecting on this innovative format, Donahue once said in an interview with WGN, “One day, I just went out in the audience, and it’s clear there would be no Donahue show if I hadn’t somehow accidentally brought in the audience.”

Donahue’s influence on daytime television is immeasurable. He paved the way for future talk show hosts like Oprah Winfrey and Sally Jessy Raphael, winning 20 Emmy Awards throughout his career. Most recently, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Biden.

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

Phil Donahue, your contributions to daytime television will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.