Daytime talk show legend Sally Jessy Raphael has praised fellow talk show host Phil Donahue following his death at age 88.
Donahue died at his home after a long illness on Sunday, surrounded by his family, including his wife Marlo Thomas.
Talking with PeopleRaphael, who hosted his eponymous show from 1983 to 2002, called Donahue the “inventor of the talk show” and praised his respect for his female audience.
“He invented the whole idea of talk shows. Then I came along, then Ricki Lake, then Oprah (Winfrey), then Jerry Springer, then Maury Povich, then Geraldo Rivera, and then… well, many more. We all grew out of Phil Donahue,” she told the outlet.
Raphael said Donahue delivered a show that appealed to “the daytime audience,” which he knew was made up primarily of women.
Daytime talk show legend Sally Jessy Raphael praised fellow talk show host Phil Donahue following his death at age 88; the pair pictured in 1995
“He liked women and women knew it, and that was very unusual at that time,” Raphael said. “In those days, men were not known for liking women.”
Donahue met his second wife, Marlo Thomas, when she was a guest on his show in 1977 and Raphael said their chemistry was evident to viewers.
“You could see he was very interested and so was she,” she said.
Following the news of Donahue’s death, Raphael tweeted: “This is a very sad day. I admired Phil Donahue for many reasons and he was one of the best hosts on American television.
“If there hadn’t been Phil, there would never have been Sally. My thoughts and prayers are with Marlo and her family.”
During an appearance alongside Geraldo Rivera in NewsNations’ Elizabeth Vargas reports: Raphael reiterated that Donahue cared about his female viewers.
Speaking about how Donahue brought the audience into his show, Raphael said: “He did more than that, he would make phone calls in the early 1960s and 1970s, ask, ‘Is the caller on the line?’ and then address the audience. The thing was, he liked women. And that was at a time when there weren’t a lot of men who thought they liked us,” he said.
He added: “He was really a natural talent, but Geraldo was absolutely right: A, he invented daytime and B, he invented turning the audience into the show,” he said.
In an interview with People, Raphael (who hosted Donahue’s eponymous show from 1983 to 2002) called Donahue the “inventor of the talk show” and praised his respect for his female audience; pictured here in 2013.
Donahue died Sunday after a long illness, his family announced.
The host of The Phil Donahue Show passed away at the age of 88 surrounded by family, including his wife, actress Marlo, at his home.
A pioneer in talk shows, his program was the first of its kind and included concepts that are common today, such as audience participation.
It remained on the air for nearly 30 years, cementing the former news reporter’s place in the annals of television history.
Donahue had recently received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his distinguished service.
He paid tribute to Donahue after the news of his death on Twitter
Donahue is survived by his wife, sister, children and grandchildren, who were by his side Sunday night when he died, according to his statement.
Also present was her beloved golden retriever, Charlie, as it is unknown what illness he suffered from.
His wife Marlo paid tribute to him on Instagram, sharing a sweet photo of the couple riding a motorcycle together over the holidays.
“I’m sure you’ve already heard the very sad news that I lost my love last night,” she wrote in the caption.
‘I know you understand that I will be stepping away from this page for a while to take care of myself and the many people who cared for Phil and held him close to their hearts.
The host of The Phil Donahue Show passed away at the age of 88 surrounded by family, including his wife, actress Marlo, at his home.
“But I didn’t want to leave without thanking you all for the lovely messages of love and support that have been arriving throughout the day,” the 86-year-old actress denied.
‘And for the wonderful and generous way you have allowed Phil and me to share our life adventure with you over the years.’
She continued: ‘As a man who has spent his career loving his audiences, Phil has thoroughly enjoyed our welcoming little community (on social media), and I know he would be very touched by the touching thoughts and memories you have been sharing.
“Until I return, I wish you good health and happy days in the company of family and friends, and I hope you continue to embrace those you love most, just as I was blessed to do with my beloved Phillip,” she said.
His wife Marlo Thomas paid tribute to him by sharing this photo of them riding a motorcycle together.
“Love, Marlo,” she continued, sharing a throwback photo of the couple on a European vacation.
“PS: This is one of my favorite photos of Phil and I,” she wrote. “Taken on vacation.”
