Phil Donahue is an iconic American television personality and talk show host who rose to prominence for his groundbreaking contributions to the world of daytime television. Donahue’s career in broadcasting spans several decades and has left an indelible mark on the industry. He is best known for hosting “The Phil Donahue Show,” which debuted in 1967 and became one of the longest-running and most influential talk shows in television history. Over the years, Donahue has received numerous awards for his contributions to television and journalism, cementing his legacy as a trailblazer in talk shows.
Content of this Article
- Facts About Phil Donahue
- Phil Donahue’s Appearance
- Phil Donahue’s Net Worth
- Phil Donahue’s Personal Life
- Phil Donahue’s Career
- Phil Donahue’s Real Estate
Facts About Phil Donahue
| Nationality | American |
| Estimated Net Worth | $150 million |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Birthplace | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Birthday | December 21, 1935 |
Phil Donahue’s Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 183 cm |
| Weight | 165 lbs |
| Hair Color | Brown/Gray |
| Eye Color | Green |
| Body Type | Average |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Phil Donahue’s Net Worth
Phil Donahue and his wife, actress and philanthropist Marlo Thomas, have a net worth of $150 million. You might recognize Donahue as the host of “The Phil Donahue Show,” a groundbreaking talk show that ran for 29 years. It’s one of the most influential talk shows in T.V. history because it was the first to involve the audience in discussions.
Phil Donahue’s Personal Life
In 1958, Phil Donahue married Margaret Cooney. They had five children together: Michael, Kevin, Daniel, Mary Rose, and James. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1975. Cooney returned to her hometown of New Mexico, where she remarried and chose to live a private life away from the public eye.
On May 21, 1980, Donahue tied the knot with actress Marlo Thomas. However, they did not have any children together. In a tragic turn of events, Donahue’s youngest son, James, died suddenly at 51 due to a burst aortic aneurysm in 2014.
When it comes to his religious beliefs, Donahue has made it clear that he identifies as a Catholic. However, he has voiced his desire for the Catholic Church to modernize and move away from its conservative stance on sexuality. He openly acknowledges that he may not be the most devout Catholic and has shared that he didn’t feel it was essential to have his first marriage annulled. He has also expressed admiration for Pope Francis.
Donahue had a remarkable broadcasting career, earning 20 Emmy Awards. Of these, ten were for Outstanding Talk Show Host, and the other 10 recognized the excellence of his show, “The Phil Donahue Show.” In 1980, he was honored with the prestigious Peabody Award, and on November 20, 1993, he was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.
Furthermore, in 1987, Donahue received the esteemed “Maggie” Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Planned Parenthood Federation, recognizing his contribution to their mission in tribute to their founder, Margaret Sanger.
Phil Donahue’s Early Life
Phillip John Donahue was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 21, 1935. He came from a middle-income, churchgoing, Irish Catholic family. His father, Phillip Donahue, worked as a furniture sales clerk, while his mother, Catherine (maiden name McClory), was a shoe clerk at a department store.
In 1949, Donahue completed his education at Our Lady of Angels Elementary School in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood. Four years later, in 1953, he was part of the inaugural graduating class at St. Edward High School, an all-boys college preparatory Catholic private high school in Lakewood, Ohio, operated by the Congregation of Holy Cross.
Donahue then pursued higher education at the University of Notre Dame, also under the administration of the Congregation of Holy Cross. In 1957, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Notre Dame.
Phil Donahue’s Career
Phil Donahue kickstarted his career in 1957 as a production assistant at KYW radio and television in Cleveland. His big break came when the regular announcer didn’t show up, and he got to step in as an announcer. After a brief stint working as a bank check sorter in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he became the program director for WABJ radio in Adrian, Michigan, shortly after graduating.
Donahue’s career then took him to various roles, including being a stringer for the CBS Evening News and becoming the anchor of the morning newscast at WHIO-TV in Dayton, Ohio. During this time, his interviews with notable figures like Jimmy Hoffa and Billie Sol Estes gained national attention.
While in Dayton, Donahue hosted a phone-in talk show called “Conversation Piece” from 1963 to 1967 on WHIO radio. During this period, he interviewed presidential candidate John F. Kennedy, late-night talk show host Johnny Carson, human rights activist Malcolm X, and Vietnam War opponents, including Jerry Rubin.
The Phil Donahue Show
On November 6, 1967, Phil Donahue made a significant move in his career. He transitioned his talk program from radio to television, launching “The Phil Donahue Show” on WLWD (now WDTN) in Dayton. At the start, the show was limited to other stations owned by the Crosley Broadcasting Corporation, which also owned WLWD.
In January 1970, “The Phil Donahue Show” went nationwide, reaching audiences around the world. In 1974, Donahue relocated his syndicated show from Dayton, Ohio, to Chicago. Then, in 1984, he moved the show to New York City, where it was filmed at a studio at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. This move allowed him to be closer to his wife, Marlo Thomas.
After an impressive 29-year run, including 26 years in syndication and nearly 7,000 one-hour daily shows, the final original episode of “The Phil Donahue Show” aired on September 13, 1996.
Other Hosting Gigs
In the 1980s, during the Cold War, when the USSR was becoming more open, Phil Donahue and Soviet journalist Vladimir Posner did something groundbreaking. They co-hosted a series of televised discussions called the “U.S.–Soviet Space Bridge.” These discussions brought together regular people from the Soviet Union and the United States.
Donahue hosted an audience in an American city, while Posner did the same in a Soviet city, all within a single television program. People from both audiences could ask each other questions about their respective countries. It was the first-ever event of its kind in broadcasting history.
From 1991 to 1994, Donahue and Vladimir Posner teamed up to co-host a weekly show called “Posner/Donahue.” This program discussed various important issues and was broadcast on CNBC and syndication.
In 1999, Donahue was initially offered the opportunity to host the game show “Greed” on the Fox network. However, he declined the offer. He didn’t want to take on the role of a game show host or accept Fox’s payment for the job. As a result, the hosting position was later given to Chuck Woolery.
In July 2002, after a seven-year retirement, Donahue returned to television. He hosted a show called “Donahue” on MSNBC. Unfortunately, on February 25, 2003, MSNBC canceled the show.
Directing
In 2006, Phil Donahue collaborated with independent filmmaker Ellen Spiro to co-direct the feature documentary film titled “Body of War.” This powerful film revolves around the life of Tomas Young, an Iraq War veteran who faced profound challenges after the war.
In November 2007, their documentary received recognition when it was listed as one of fifteen documentaries being considered for an Oscar nomination by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Phil Donahue’s Real Estate
In 1986, Phil Donahue and his wife purchased a 17-room home in Westport, Connecticut, for an undisclosed amount. Then, in 1988, they acquired an adjacent 7-acre property for just under $7 million. They sold both properties to a financier in 2006 for a substantial $25 million.
The same year, they bought two side-by-side parcels of land next to their previous estate, although the exact purchase price is unknown. In 2012, they put this approximately 6.5-acre property on the market for $27.5 million, eventually accepting an offer of $20 million in 2013. Currently, they reside in Manhattan.
Net Worth of Other Notable TV Hosts
Monty Hall’s Net Worth
Monty Hall, born Monte Halparin in Winnipeg, Manitoba, became an iconic Canadian-American television personality and game show host, most recognized for “Let’s Make a Deal.” Debuting in 1963, the show became a cornerstone of American television and also introduced the “Monty Hall Problem,” a fascinating probability puzzle. Beyond his television pursuits, Hall was a devoted family man, marrying Marilyn Doreen Plottel and raising three accomplished children. Hall’s career began in radio, transitioned to television, and eventually solidified with his hosting and producing roles on various game shows. Off-screen, his Beverly Hills residence, a Mediterranean-style house from the 1920s, became a testament to his success, selling for $6.409 million posthumously. Despite all his accomplishments, many fans and analysts frequently focus on Monty Hall’s net worth, which stood at an impressive $10 million at the time of his passing.
Stephen Colbert’s Net Worth
Stephen Colbert is an iconic figure in American television and comedy, with a career spanning decades and diverse roles ranging from stand-up comedy to hosting major late-night TV shows. Born in Washington, D.C., Colbert grew up in South Carolina, faced personal tragedies in his early years, and navigated various challenges before finding his calling in comedy and acting. Over the years, he joined the ranks of revered comedians, especially after his satirical show, “The Colbert Report.” Subsequently, he succeeded David Letterman as the host of “The Late Show” in 2015. Aside from his professional achievements, Colbert has had a robust personal life, being married since 1993 and raising three children. With a career marked by significant success, Stephen Colbert’s net worth is estimated to be $75 million.