Phil Donahue, the iconic daytime talk show host, passed away peacefully at 88 on August 18, surrounded by his family, including his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas.

Starting his media career in the late 1950s, Donahue revolutionized talk shows with The Phil Donahue Show, which went national in 1970. Known for tackling controversial topics and allowing audience participation, his approach influenced future talk show hosts like Oprah Winfrey.

Throughout his career, Donahue earned 20 Emmy Awards and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund in his memory.