>Renowned “King of Daytime Talk” Phil Donahue, who created and hosted the The Phil Donahue Show, died on Sunday, Aug. 18 at the age of 88, PEOPLE can confirm. >In a statement first reported by the Today show on Monday, Aug. 19, Donahue's family said the groundbreaking TV talk show journalist died in his home surrounded by his family including his wife of 44 years — actress Marlo Thomas — as well as "his sister, his children, grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie." >The statement noted he "passed away peacefully following a long illness." . . [Archive](https://archive.today/t12hI)