Phil Donahue, talk show pioneer, dead at 88

Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched a television genre that made household names of Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others, has died. He was 88.

Phil Donahue, talk show pioneer, dead at 88
An older white-haired man in glasses and a tuxedo smiles in this portrait image

Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched a television genre that made household names of Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others, has died. He was 88.