Oprah Winfrey owes her career to the late Phil Donahue. The chat show queen, 70, joined the flood of famous faces paying tribute to late daytime TV icon Phil after it emerged on Monday (19.08.
24) he had died aged 88 on Sunday 18 August – and said she believed she would have never had her show without the influence of the television trailblazer. She told People: “There wouldn’t have been an ‘Oprah Show’ without Phil Donahue being the first to prove that daytime talk and women watching should be taken seriously. “He was a pioneer.
I’m glad I got to thank him for it. Rest in peace Phil.” Oprah shared the same statement on her Instagram, along with a black-and-white photo of her and Phil hugging.
Phil’s death was first reported by the ‘Today’ show when his family announced he died in his home on Sunday. They said his final moment were spent surrounded by his wife of 44 years, actress Marlo Thomas, 86, as well as his sister, children, grandchildren and his “beloved golden retriever, Charlie”. His cause of death has not yet been revealed, but the family’s statement added his passing came “following a long illness”.
They also said he died “peacefully”. Phil broke barriers by broaching controversial topic on his talk shows, which started in the 1950s. ‘The Phil Donahue Show’ tackled issues including child abuse in the Catholic Church, as well as civil rights, racism and feminism.
Phil won 20 Emmy awards – 10 for outstanding host and 10 for hi.