Oprah remembers Phil Donahue

Oprah Winfrey says Donahue was a pioneer
Donahue has reportedly passed away at 88 years old
"The Phil Donahue Show" ran for 29 seasons

Updated: Aug 19, 2024 / 11:44 AM CDT

Oprah Winfrey is pictured on Feb. 8, 2020. (Photo by Brad Barket/Invision/AP, File)

(NewsNation) — Oprah Winfrey shared a post on Instagram remembering daytime talk show host Phil Donahue after the news of his death was announced by NBC’s “Today” show.

Donahue was known as the “king of daytime talk,” and his show launched a genre of television show that brought success to people like Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres and Montel Williams.

“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,” Winfrey said in her post. “He was a pioneer. I’m glad I got to thank him for it. Rest in peace Phil.”

“The Phil Donahue Show” was the first to incorporate audience participation in a talk show, typically during a full hour with a single guest. The show ran for 29 years.

Donahue was 88 years old and reportedly suffering from a long illness according to family members.