Marlo Thomas missed the Today Show St Jude special for the first time in 21 years on Monday as she continues to mourn the death of her husband Phil Donahue.
Donahue died at age 88 in August; He and the Friends actress, 87, were married for 44 years.
Thomas, director of national outreach at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, founded by her father Danny Thomas in 1962, was absent from the annual Today Show segment to begin the hospital’s Thanks & Giving series.
Her brother Tony Thomas took her place on the show with Savannah Guthrie saying: “For the first time in the 21 years of our series, Marlo is not with us this morning. She will be taking time off following the loss of her beloved husband, Phil Donahue .
Tony said: “She loved her boy, it was a 44-year marriage that was a real love story.”
“Everyone who called me said, ‘I can’t believe their marriage was such a love story and so much chemistry.’ It was… they were very, very close and I think it’s (will be) a while before she can handle this.” .’
Marlo Thomas missed the Today Show St Jude special for the first time in 21 years on Monday as she continues to mourn the death of her husband Phil Donahue (pictured in 2019).
He added that Thomas “will be back next year” for the fundraising campaign.
Guthrie told Tony to “give (Marlo) our love, absolutely.” We know she will be very proud that you are here talking about the work of St. Jude, which means so much to her and to you’… ‘If Marlo is watching, we love you.’
The host of The Phil Donahue Show died surrounded by family, including his wife, the actress, at his home.
she wrote in instagramalong with a sweet photo of the couple traveling together on a motorcycle on vacation: “I’m sure you’ve already heard the very sad news that I lost my beloved last night.”
‘I know you understand that I will be stepping away from this page for a while to look after myself and the many people who cared for Phil and kept him close to their hearts.
‘But I didn’t want to disappear without thanking you for the beautiful messages of love and support that have been reaching us all day,’ the actress denied.
“(And) for the wonderful and generous way you have allowed Phil and me to share the adventure of a lifetime with you over the years.”
He continued: “As a man who spent his career loving his audience, Phil really enjoyed our small, welcoming community (on social media), and I know he would be very touched by the touching thoughts and memories you have had.” exchange.
Her brother Tony Thomas took her place on the show with Savannah Guthrie saying: “For the first time in the 21 years of our series, Marlo is not with us this morning. She is taking time off following the loss of her beloved husband, Phil Donahue .
The Phil Donahue Show host died surrounded by family, including his actress wife, at his home (pictured in 1996).
“Until my return, I wish you good health and happy days spent with family and friends, and I hope you continue to hold those you love most close, just as I was fortunate to do with my beloved Phillip,” Donahue said. said the second wife.
“Love, Marlo,” she continued, signing off, while sharing an old photo of the couple on vacation in Europe.
“PS: This is one of my favorite photos of Phil and I,” she wrote. ‘(L)and on vacation.’
In fact, the couple met on the set of their show in 1977, with Donahue as host and Thomas as a guest.
The two would marry just three years later, following the “instant chemistry” Thomas felt with the TV host, he revealed in a 2015 Gacebook post.
“Phil and I met on his talk show, ‘Donahue,’ in 1977,” Thomas, who continues to act and produce to this day, wrote at the time.
“He flirted, I laughed, and his TV audience watched us fall in love.”
The couple (seen here on the set of the Phil Donahue show) met on the show in 1977, with Donahue being the host and Thomas his guest.
The couple would later marry in 1980 and have five children.
Meanwhile, the show continued, with Donahue hosting big names like Bill Clinton, Muhammad Ali, Johnny Carson, Ayn Rand and Nelson Mandela over the course of 16 more years on his seminal show.
He would also win 20 Emmy Awards: 10 for Outstanding Host and 10 for Overall Show.