Phillip Calvin "Phil" McGraw (born September 1, 1950), known as Dr. Phil, is an American television personality, author, psychologist, and the host of the television show Dr. Phil, which debuted in 2002. McGraw first gained celebrity status with appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show in the late 1990s.

Biography

McGraw married his first wife, an ex-cheerleader and homecoming queen named Debbie Higgins McCall, in 1970, when he was 20 years old. According to her, McGraw was domineering and would not allow her to participate in the family business. She claimed that she was confined to domestic duties, which included lifting weights to improve her bustline.

During the process of annulling the marriage in 1973, McGraw began dating Robin Jo Jameson (born December 28, 1953). The couple had two children, Jay, born in 1979, and Jordan, born 1986.

McGraw's son, Jay McGraw, has partially followed in his father's footsteps, publishing books aimed at teenagers based on McGraw's books and working for Stage 29. Jay McGraw became engaged to Erica Dahm, one of the famous Playboy Playmate triplets. The elder McGraw, who has been an outspoken critic of pornography, was best man at his son's wedding, which was held at his home in Beverly Hills.

McGraw is also a private pilot, with an instrument rating, flying single engine airplanes. McGraw identified himself as a Christian.