St. Jude Mourns Beloved Family Member Phil Donahue

MEMPHIS, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug 19, 2024–

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital laments the passing of television icon Phil Donahue, a pioneer in American media who shaped the format of the modern talk show.

Phil Donahue was married to Emmy Award-winning actress, author, and St. Jude National Outreach Director Marlo Thomas. The couple had been married for 44 years. Donahue’s connection to St. Jude was personal and profound, not only through his marriage to Marlo, the daughter of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas, but also through his active participation in the hospital’s mission.

Donahue visited St. Jude frequently to spend time with the children and their families. He also took part in numerous dinners, galas, and events, such as the FedEx St. Jude Championship PGA TOUR golf tournament. Both he and Marlo Thomas often hosted St. Jude corporate partners and supporters in their home. Danny Thomas, the founder of St. Jude, once said that when he welcomed Donahue into his family, he gained both a son-in-law and a dedicated fundraiser.

Phil Donahue is best known as the creator of “The Phil Donahue Show,” where he revolutionized the talk show format by allowing audience interaction with his guests. His show featured a wide range of topics, from entertainment to politics, and notably recognized women who were active in their work and communities. It was during an interview on his show that he first met Marlo Thomas.

During his illustrious career, Donahue won nine Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Host in a Talk or Service Series. In 1996, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Emmy, and in 1980, he received the distinguished Peabody Award. In 2024, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

“Phil Donahue’s pioneering work in his field and devotion to the mission of St. Jude has left a lasting legacy that impacted so many,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “We are deeply saddened by this profound loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marlo and the Donahue and Thomas families during this difficult time.”

In lieu of flowers, the Thomas family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund. Visit st.jude.org for more information about Donahue’s support or to make a donation in his memory.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its mission is clear: Finding cures. Saving children. St. Jude is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center solely devoted to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped increase the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%. The hospital aims to continue its work until no child dies from cancer.

St. Jude shares its breakthroughs to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Due to generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food, so they can focus on helping their child live.

For more inspiring stories of hope, strength, love, and kindness, visit St. Jude Inspire. You can support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, and following St. Jude on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Source: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital