Phil Donahue, the iconic daytime talk show host, has passed away. He was 88 years old.

Donahue passed away at his home on Sunday, August 18, after battling a long illness. According to a statement shared with Today, he had the support of his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, as well as his sister, children, grandchildren, and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie.

Donahue, born in 1935, embarked on his media career in the late 1950s. Donahue started his own talk show after gaining experience as a local reporter in Ohio. Originally, it was broadcasted on a CBS affiliate, but later switched to an NBC affiliate in Dayton, Ohio in 1967. After three years, the show gained popularity and was broadcasted nationwide.

His talk show was famous for delving into sensitive subjects, ranging from child abuse in the Catholic Church to the former grand wizard of the Knights of the KKK.

The Phil Donahue Show, later known as Donahue, set the stage for future daytime talk shows.

Donahue’s show pioneered the concept of audience participation by giving them the opportunity to directly question the guests.

During an interview with WGN, Donahue reflected on the early days of his show and how he stumbled upon the idea of engaging with the audience.

Donahue’s groundbreaking work not only influenced future daytime hosts like Oprah Winfrey and Sally Jesse Raphael, but also earned him an impressive 20 Emmy Awards. Most notably, he was recently honored with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Biden.

Donahue’s family kindly asked for donations to be made to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund, instead of sending flowers.

We will miss Phil Donahue. Thank you for your valuable contributions to daytime television. May you find eternal peace.