Phil McGraw facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dr. Phil
McGraw in 2013
Born	Phillip Calvin McGraw (1950-09-01) September 1, 1950 (age 74) Vinita, Oklahoma, U.S.
Education	Midwestern State University (BA) North Texas State University (MA, PhD)
Occupation	Television host author
Spouse(s)	Debbie Higgins McCall ​ ​ (m. 1970; annulled 1973)​ Robin Jameson ​ (m. 1976)​
Children	2, including Jay
Relatives	Erica Dahm (daughter-in-law)

Phillip Calvin McGraw (born September 1, 1950), known as Dr. Phil, is an American television host and author. He is most famous for hosting his talk show, Dr. Phil. He has a special degree called a doctorate in clinical psychology. He stopped renewing his license to practice psychology in 2006.

Dr. Phil became well-known after appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show in the late 1990s. Oprah Winfrey then helped him start his own show, Dr. Phil, in September 2002. His show gives advice to people.

Early Life and Education

Phillip Calvin McGraw was born in Vinita, Oklahoma, on September 1, 1950. His parents were Joseph J. McGraw Jr. and Anne Geraldine "Jerry" Stevens. He grew up with three sisters. As a teenager, he worked at an A&W Root Beer stand and a pizza place in Oklahoma City.

When he was 13, his family moved to Kansas. He went to Shawnee Mission North High School in Overland Park, Kansas. He was a football player and earned a scholarship to the University of Tulsa. Later, he transferred to Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.

McGraw earned his first degree, a B.A. in psychology, from Midwestern State University in 1975. He continued his studies at North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas). There, he earned a M.A. in 1976 and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1979. His Ph.D. research was about how psychology could help with rheumatoid arthritis.

Starting His Career

After getting his doctorate, McGraw worked with his father in Wichita Falls, Texas. His father had his own psychology practice there.

In 1985, McGraw and his father worked with a businesswoman named Thelma Box. They offered "Pathways" self-help seminars. McGraw later sold his part of this company in 1991.

In 1990, McGraw co-founded a company called Courtroom Sciences, Inc. (CSI). This company helped lawyers with trials. They advised on things like choosing juries and preparing witnesses. CSI worked with many top lawyers and large companies. McGraw is no longer part of the company. The TV show Bull is based on McGraw's experiences with this company. This is how McGraw first started working with Oprah Winfrey.

Television Career

McGraw on the cover of Newsweek magazine

Working with Oprah Winfrey

In 1995, Oprah Winfrey hired McGraw's company, CSI. She needed help preparing for a court case about beef in Texas. Oprah was very impressed with McGraw. After she won the case in 1998, she invited him to appear on her show. His appearances were very popular. He started appearing weekly on The Oprah Winfrey Show in April 1998, giving advice on relationships and life.

In September 2002, McGraw launched his own daily television show, Dr. Phil. Oprah Winfrey's company, Harpo Studios, produced it. Dr. Phil is an advice show where McGraw discusses different topics each day. He offers advice to his guests. The show became very popular. By 2007, Dr. Phil was one of the most-watched talk shows. In 2018, it was the top syndicated show for many weeks.

Other TV Shows and Projects

Dr. Phil and his oldest son, Jay McGraw, have created other TV projects.

In 2006, a part of the Dr. Phil show called Dr. Phil House began. It was similar to the show Big Brother. Guests lived in a house and received advice. The production later moved to a studio.

In 2007, they launched Decision House, which featured a judge helping people with their problems.

Later in 2007, McGraw started promoting a spin-off show called The Doctors. This show first aired in September 2008. It featured medical doctors giving health advice. Jay McGraw was an executive producer for this show. The Doctors won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2010.

Phil and Jay McGraw also executive produced Daily Mail TV. This show won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding News Program in 2019.

In August 2021, a reality TV series called House Calls with Dr. Phil aired on CBS. In this show, McGraw visited families at their homes to offer advice.

Merit Street Media

In November 2023, McGraw announced a new media company and TV network called Merit Street Media. This network launched in April 2024. It focuses on news and true crime shows. Dr. Phil hosts a new show on this network called Dr. Phil Primetime.

Doctor On Demand

In 2012, McGraw started a company called Doctor On Demand. This is an online platform where people can have virtual appointments with doctors and therapists. It launched its services in 2014. The platform helps with preventative care, managing medications, wellness, and mental health. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the company increased its services to help more people.

His Approach to Psychology

Dr. Phil's advice has received different opinions. Some other psychologists and experts have criticized his methods. They say his advice can be too simple or not helpful. The National Alliance on Mental Illness once called his actions on an episode "unethical." McGraw himself has said he never liked traditional one-on-one counseling. He prefers a more direct approach.

However, a study in 2016 found that people who watched the Dr. Phil show were more likely to seek professional mental health help for themselves and their children. This suggests that watching him deal with issues on TV encouraged viewers to get help.

Writing Books

In 1999, McGraw published his first book, Life Strategies. Over the next six years, he wrote three more books about relationships and self-improvement. These included Relationship Rescue and Self Matters. Since 2022, McGraw has also written columns for WebMD and USA Today with physician John Whyte.

Awards and Recognition

McGraw was honored in the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2020, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was also invited to speak at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. There, he received an award for bringing attention to mental health issues for many Americans.

Personal Life

McGraw with wife Robin in May 2013

McGraw married his first wife, Debbie Higgins McCall, in 1970. Their marriage was annulled in 1973.

In 1976, McGraw married Robin Jo Jameson. They have two children, Jay McGraw and Jordan McGraw.

McGraw is a private pilot and enjoys flying single-engine airplanes. He is a Christian. In 2003, he started the Dr. Phil Foundation charity.

Filmography

Discography

Guest Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Phil McGraw para niños