President Joe Biden will name 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Friday. One of the two recipients with ties to Ohio State is longtime media personality Phil Donahue.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the United States' highest civilian honor for exemplary contributions to “the prosperity, values, security, world peace, or other important social, public, or private endeavors of the United States.” Awarded to individuals who have
The award will be presented at a White House ceremony on Friday.
Donahue, a journalist and longtime host of “The Phil Donahue Show'' and “Donahue,'' will be awarded the Medal of Freedom. He created and hosted the first daytime talk show with audience participation, starting in Dayton, Ohio.
Here's what you need to know about him.
Who is Phil Donahue?
Donahue began working as a journalist at WHIO, an AM radio station based in Dayton, Ohio. According to the Dayton Daily News, he anchored a news program and hosted a call-in program called “Conversation Pieces.'' And in 1967, he approached his WLWD-TV (now he WDTN) with the idea of hosting “Phil His Donahue Show,” a television version of his radio telephone show.
The show established a new type of daytime talk show, featuring prominent figures in the media, engaging viewers, and exploring thought-provoking topics and controversial issues.
How old is Phil Donahue?
Donahue was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 21, 1935 and is currently 88 years old.
He started “The Phil Donahue Show'' in 1967 at the age of 31.
What year did Donahue's talk show take place?
“The Phil Donahue Show” first aired in 1967 and production began in Dayton, Ohio. The show ended in 1996 after 29 years.
MSNBC's “Donohue” began airing in 2002 and lasted less than a year, according to the New York Times.
What is Phil Donahue doing now?
According to WGN, Donahue is currently hosting a podcast. Double date with Marlo Thomas & Phil Donahuealong with his wife, Marlo Thomas, whom he met in the WGN cafeteria.
Jim Thorpe, among other Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients
Donahue won't be the only person with ties to Ohio to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024.
Jim Thorpe, Olympic star, three-time Canton Bulldogs standout and charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as reported by the Canton Repository. will receive the Medal of Freedom posthumously.
Thorpe, who died in 1953, was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. The country's original multi-sport superstar, he also went on to play professional football, baseball and basketball.
Who else will receive a medal from President Joe Biden?
According to USA TODAY, President Biden has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the past and plans to bestow the honor on 17 others on Friday.
- michael bloomberg
- Gregory Boyle
- james clyburn
- elizabeth doll
- medgar wiley evers
- al gore
- clarence jones
- john kelly
- frank rotenberg
- katie ledecky
- Opal Lee
- Ellen Ochoa
- nancy pelosi
- jane rigby
- Teresa Romero
- judy shepherd
- Michelle Yeoh
