Phil Donahue

Photo of Phil Donahue

Biography

Donahue's screen persona - passionate, deeply liberal and sympathetic - made him a favorite among like-minded viewers, especially women, and a target for conservative figures. Donahue's fascination with stories from both high and low roads helped to fashion the modern talk show in all its permutations, from feel-good chats and news-driven roundtables to trashy exposes of sordid lives before the camera. In doing so, Phil Donahue was among the …
Read More »

Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer

Born

Phillip John Donahue on December 21, 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Career Milestones

Was news reporter and anchor at WIHO-Radio, Dayton, OH

1957

Worked as announcer at KYW-Radio, Cleveland, OH

1958

Moved to KYW-TV, Cleveland

1958

Named program and news director of WAJB-Radio, Adrian, MI

1963

Hosted "Conversation Piece" on WIHO-Radio, Dayton

1967

Hosted "The Phil Donahue Show" on WLWD-TV Dayton

1970

"The Phil Donahue Show" was syndicated; produced in Chicago and later in NYC

1980

Contributed special segments to "The Today Show" (NBC)

1991

Co-hosted, "This Week With Pozner and Donahue" (aired both on CNBC and in syndication)

1996

Taped final episode of "The Phil Donahue Show" on May 2

2002

Returned to television with the short-lived MSNBC show, "Donahue"

2007

Executive Produced the feature documentary film, "Body of War," which he also co-directed with independent filmmaker Ellen Spiro

Awards

2007

Hamptons International Film Festival for Audience Award Documentary in Body of War