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Talk show icon Phil Donahue dies at 88

Phil Donahue, who flipped the script for daytime television by tackling controversial issues in front of a live audience, has died after a long illness, his family announced in a statement on Monday to People and NBC News.

Phil Donahue, who flipped the script for daytime television by tackling controversial issues in front of a live audience, has died after a long illness, his family announced in a statement on Monday to People and NBC News. Even though the show ended 28 years ago, Donahue was in the national spotlight as recently as May, when he and 18 other honorees received the Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden. National syndication led to higher-profile guests – including his future wife, actress Marlo Thomas.

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