Phil Donahue, the groundbreaking host of the daytime talk show “The Phil Donahue Show,” has died. He was 88.
He died Sunday “peacefully after a long illness,” his family said in a statement to “Today.” Donahue was a contributor to the NBC morning show.
Donahue was known for drawing audiences into the talk show format, interacting with them much as he did with the show's notable and eclectic roster of guests, which included Nelson Mandela, Dolly Parton and Richard Pryor.
Donahue was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom along with 18 others in May.
This is breaking news and will be updated.
