AUGUSTA, Georgia (WRDW/WAGT) – Phil Donahue, a pioneer of daytime talk shows, has died at the age of 88, NBC News reports.

He died after a long illness.

Donahue died at home surrounded by his family and his beloved golden retriever Charlie, his family said in a statement to TODAY.

There were daytime celebrity talk shows with hosts like Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin. They were more like The Tonight Show.

But Donahue, who lives in Chicago, was one of the first hosts to host topical talk shows on daytime television, often covering controversial topics ranging from relationships to the Middle East. He once donned a dress to demonstrate cross-dressing – something that was very unusual on television at the time.

The grey-haired presenter was one of the first to involve the audience and bring his microphone among them so that they could ask the guests questions.

Oprah Winfrey and others have followed in his footsteps.

Donahue leaves behind his wife, TV star Marlo Thomas, with whom he was married for 44 years, as well as several children and grandchildren

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

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