Source: Daniel Zuchnik / Getty
Talk Show Host & Cleveland Native Phil Donahue Dead At 88
Legendary talk show host Phil Donahue, who began his career in Cleveland, has passed away.
Today.com reports that Donahue passed away at home, surrounded by family and friends, following a long illness. Marlo Thomas, his wife of 44 years, and his sister, children, and grandchildren were all with him when he passed.
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Donahue is best known for creating and hosting “The Phil Donahue Show,” which aired from 1967 to 1996. This groundbreaking talk show was among the first to feature audience participation and tackle controversial and taboo topics, laying the groundwork for today’s talk shows.
Donahue was born in Cleveland. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in 1957. During his teenage years, Donahue lived in Lakewood, Ohio. He was also a member of the first graduating class of St Edward High School.
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His broadcasting career began in college, where he worked his way up to becoming the announcer on the university’s local station WNDU. He eventually worked his way up to becoming the program/news director at WHIO-AM-TV in Dayton.
Frustrated with reaching a national audience, Donahue actually quit broadcasting in 1967. However, his stint away from the microphone was shortlived, as he returned to Dayton to host The Phil Donahue Show just a few months later.
As a broadcaster, Donahue was a trailblazer.
Donahue was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Hall of Fame in 1993. He won an ATAS lifetime achievement award in 1996.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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