Phil Donahue, a pioneering TV journalist, has died after a long illness, his family announced on Monday.
Donahue, who hosted “The Phil Donahue Show” for 29 years, was a trailblazer in daytime TV. He interviewed influential figures like President John F. Kennedy, Johnny Carson, and Malcolm X.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Donahue grew up there before attending the University of Notre Dame. He began his career in radio in the late 1950s before moving to TV.
Donahue’s wife, Marlo Thomas, and his loved ones were by his side when he passed away on Sunday evening. No details about his cause of death were shared.
The TV host was last seen in 2014, when he expressed his pride for his Cleveland roots.
