Aug 19 – Phil Donahue, who changed the face of U.S. daytime television with a long-running syndicated talk show that covered timely and often provocative social and political issues, has died at the age of 88, NBC’s “Today” program reported Monday, citing a statement from his family.

Donahue died on Sunday surrounded by his family from the effects of an illness, the “Today” program reported.

Donahue’s show debuted in 1970, when predominantly female daytime television offered viewers soap operas, game shows and household programs, tackling subjects once considered taboo on television – including abortion, the sexual revolution and race relations.

With his boyish charm, boundless energy and thick white hair, Donahue was known for aggressively asking his guests questions and running around the studio to give his audience a chance to be heard.

The success of his show paved the way for other daytime talk show hosts, most notably Oprah Winfrey, whose program eventually surpassed Donahue’s program in the ratings.

“Without Phil Donahue, there would never have been an Oprah show,” Winfrey said.

Among the many daytime programs that aired after Donahue’s death were several that became known for their sensationalism and occasional violence.

Such shows, hosted by personalities such as Jerry Springer, Geraldo Rivera, Sally Jessy Raphael and Maury Povich, were his “illegitimate children,” Donahue said in interviews, adding that he loved them all.

As the daytime talk show field became increasingly crowded, louder and ruder, the popularity of Donahue’s program declined, leading to its cancellation in 1996, after 26 years and thousands of broadcasts on national television – the longest run of any syndicated U.S. talk show.

HOUSEWIVES FORUM

At its peak in 1979, Donahue’s show was hailed by People magazine as “a national forum for America’s housewives.”

“I think they appreciate the issues the show raises and enjoy the challenge of engaging emotionally and intellectually with what’s going on,” Donahue told People this year.

“There are no prizes and no one shouts, we offer an honest exchange of ideas,” he said of his show, in which each hour-long episode generally covers one topic.

Donahue, who often spoke about his Roman Catholic upbringing, was one of the first television stars to forcefully address the sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy, bringing the issue to national attention.

He first addressed the sex scandal in a 1988 episode and revisited the topic in later seasons of his show, giving victims the opportunity to tell their stories.

His later projects included hosting a talk show on the cable channel MSNBC from 2002 to 2003 and co-directing the 2006 documentary “Body of War,” which critically examines the U.S. invasion of Iraq and focuses on an American soldier who was paralyzed in the war.

In addition to controversial topics, Donahue occasionally addressed lighter subjects such as misdiagnosed allergies and exchanged jokes with celebrity guests, from comedian Jerry Lewis to shock rocker Marilyn Manson. For an episode about cross-dressing, Donahue wore a skirt.

He won nine Daytime Emmys for Best Talk Show Host.

Donahue was born on December 21, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up there as the son of a furniture salesman and a department store clerk.

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, he worked his way up in broadcasting until he got the chance to host his own show, “The Phil Donahue Show,” on a television station in Dayton, Ohio, in 1967. He caused a stir among some viewers by inviting an atheist as his first guest.

The show began broadcasting nationally in 1970. He moved the show to Chicago in 1974 and to New York in 1984 to be closer to his second wife, actress Marlo Thomas, the daughter of actor and comedian Danny Thomas.

Donahue’s first marriage to Marge Cooney ended in divorce in 1975. They had four sons and a daughter. He married Thomas in 1980.

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