Payam Javan: Longtime television host Phil Donahue has died at the age of 88. He passed away on August 18, 2024, at home surrounded by family, including his wife Marlo Thomas. According to his family, Donahue died peacefully after a long illness. In his honor, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund.

Donahue’s career began with minor roles and led to his work as a news anchor at WHIO-TV and the host of a talk show on WHIO radio. His national talk show, The Phil Donahue Show, ran for many years and was produced in New York City until its end in 1996. He also briefly hosted a program on MSNBC, which lasted less than a year.