Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams and More Stars Pay Tribute to Phil Donahue After His Death: 'He Was a Pioneer'

Mar. 15, 2025

Phil Donahue in 1992.Photo:Michel Delsol/Getty

Michel Delsol/Getty

He “passed away peacefully following a long illness,” the statement concluded, noting that Donahue’s family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund.

Thomas added, “Until I return, I wish you good health and happy days in the company of family and friends, and I hope that you will continue to hold close those you cherish most, just as I was blessed to do with my beloved Phillip.“Adding of the sweet photo she included alongside her tribute, Thomas concluded: “P.S. This is one of my favorite photos of Phil and me, taken on vacation.”

Oprah Winfreywas among the stars leading the heartfelt tributes. Sheshared a photo of the pairand said in a statement with PEOPLE, “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,” she wrote. “He was a pioneer. I’m glad I got to thank him for it. Rest in peace Phil 🙏🏽🕊️.”

Reacting to the news,Montel Williamsshared a statement with PEOPLE exclusively, which began: “With a heavy heart, I bid farewell to Phil Donahue, the true godfather of the talk show genre. Phil pioneered audience participation on critical issues, setting the standard for all of us who followed.”

“His contributions to television and dialogue on important societal topics are immeasurable,” he continued. “My deepest condolences go out to his family during this time. Rest in peace, Phil—you will be missed but never forgotten.”

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Alongsidea photographof Donahue hosting his iconic talk show,Sarah Jessica Parkerwrote: “Phil Donohue, we loved you.”

“Thank you for multiple decades of smart, funny, informative and often very brave television.We honor you, your work and your devotion to your audience,” she added. “To@marlothomasand his family, my sincere condolences. RIP and Godspeed. X, SJ.”

Katie Couric, whoshared a black-and-white shotof the famed journalist, noted that she was “so sad to hear this news.”

“Legendary talk show host Phil Donahue died on Sunday night following a long illness. He was 88 years old,” she wrote, adding his obituary below.

Ricki Lakeshared with PEOPLE exclusively, “I loved Phil. A total pioneer and someone I greatly admired and learned from.”

“Was honored to appear on Oprah’s last season of her talk show with Phil and other talk show icons, Montel [Williams],Sally Jessy [Raphael]andGeraldo [Rivera],” she added. “He will be greatly missed and what a legacy he has left behind!”

Phil Donahue at the 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York.M. Von Holden/WireImage

M. Von Holden/WireImage

Alongsidea photo of Donahue on the cover of PEOPLEin 1979, comedianAmy Sedariswrote: “Very sad news. My family grew up watching his show. We saw and learned so much.”

“End of an era,“Questloveremarkedon Instagram, sharing a black-and-white photo of Donahue. “Sick days from school for Gen X meant starting with Phil Donahue——who before Oprah owned the lane was the standard of the modern morning talk show in which red state & blue state America realized HOW different (& alike?) we were?”

“Rest in peace,” he added.

Calling it “a very sad day,“Sally Jessy Raphaelsaid she “admired Phil Donahue for so many reasons.” She also referred to Donahue as “one of the finest broadcasters in American television.”

“His show changed the way we talked, what we talked about, and gave a voice to everyone,” she continued onInstagram. “If there wasn’t a Phil Donahue, there would have never been a Sally Jessy Raphael. Quite simply, Phil was a legend, and his demise is a great loss to the world. My thoughts and prayers go out to Marlo and their family.”

source: people.com