Phil McGraw.

Phillip Calvin McGraw

Phil McGraw — Academic

Born 1 Sep 1950 Vinita, United States

Citizenship United States

Age 75 yr Today

15 min read

Reading time

2,858

Words

Jun 18, 2026

Published

69

Film credits

26

Books

2

Awards

TL;DR

Phil McGraw earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas in 1979 and became host of the daytime talk show Dr. Phil, which debuted in 2002. He has authored bestsellers such as Life Strategies and Relationship Rescue, and has appeared as a guest on numerous TV shows. In 2020, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for television.

Identity & family.

KIN · 3

Names, aliases, and relatives of Phil McGraw — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Phillip Calvin McGraw

Nicknames Dr. Phil, Doctor Phil

Aliases Dr Phil McGraw, Dr. Phil C. McGraw, Dr. Phillip C. McGraw, Dr. Phil McGraw, Phillip C. McGraw, Dr. Phillip C. Mcgraw, Dr. Phil

SPOUSES: Robin McGraw Debbie Higgins McCall
CHILDREN: Jay McGraw

At a glance.

STATS

Phil McGraw by the numbers — life, work, and family.

75 Age

69 Film credits

26 Books

2 Awards

2 Marriages

1 Child

Who is Phil McGraw?

BIOGRAPHY

Phil McGraw — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

At age 16, Phil McGraw became a lifelong teetotaler due to his father’s alcoholism. He was born on September 1, 1950 in Vinita, Oklahoma, to Anne Geraldine and Joseph J. McGraw, an oil field equipment supplier. He attended Shawnee Mission North High School in Overland Park, Kansas, where he graduated. In 1968, he played as a middle-linebacker for the University of Tulsa football team on a scholarship, experiencing a historic 100-6 loss to the University of Houston. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Midwestern State University in 1975.

Career

After earning his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas in 1979, McGraw founded Courtroom Sciences, Inc. in 1980, a trial sciences firm where he consulted for Fortune 500 companies. His appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show led to the launch of his own talk show, Dr. Phil, in 2002. He authored the books Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters 1999, Relationship Rescue 2000, and Family First 2004. He also voiced himself on The Simpsons and appeared in Scary Movie 4.

Personal life

McGraw married Debbie Higgins McCall in 1970; they divorced in 1973. He married Robin McGraw on August 14, 1976, and they have two sons, Jay born 1979 and Jordan born 1986. He is grandfather to London Phillip McGraw and Avery Elizabeth McGraw. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He is a longtime friend of comedian Ron White and has golfed with him. He endorsed Donald Trump for president in 2024.

Legacy

Phil McGraw has hosted the daytime talk show Dr. Phil since 2002. In 2004, Sesame Street introduced the puppet Dr. Feel in his honor. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 21, 2020. Forbes estimated his 2007 earnings at $30 million, and he has donated $1 million to his own foundation. His books have sold millions of copies, and he remains a major figure in popular psychology and television.

Filmography.

FILMS · 69

Browse the complete filmography of Phil McGraw — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

The Simpsons

1989
TV

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

2014
TV

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

2015
TV

Conan

2010
TV

Frasier

1993
TV

The Kelly Clarkson Show

2019
TV

Curb Your Enthusiasm

2000
TV

The Late Late Show with James Corden

2015
TV

Real Time with Bill Maher

2003
TV

Sesame Street

1969
TV

American Idol

2002
TV

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

2005
TV

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003
TV

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

1988

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Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 2

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Phil McGraw — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 26

Phil McGraw's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Life Strategies

by Phillip C. McGraw et al.
Amazon

Relationship Rescue

by Phillip C. McGraw
Amazon

Self Matters

by Phillip C. McGraw
Amazon

The Ultimate Weight Solution

by Phil McGraw et al.
Amazon

Family First

by Phillip C. McGraw
Amazon

The Self Matters Companion

by Phillip C. McGraw
Amazon

Real Life

by Phillip C. McGraw
Amazon

The Life Strategies Workbook

by Phillip C. McGraw
Amazon

Love Smart

by Phillip C. McGraw
Amazon

The Life Strategies Self-Discovery Journal

by Phillip C. McGraw
Amazon

The Ultimate Weight Solution Food Guide

by Phillip C. McGraw
Amazon

Ultimate Weight Solution

by Phillip C. McGraw
Amazon

The Relationship Rescue Workbook

by Phillip C. McGraw
Amazon

Life Code

by Phillip C. McGraw

Could not load more books.

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 50

A wall of memorable lines from Phil McGraw — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Nothing’s Funnier to Me Than Laughing at Myself.
We All Have a Social Mask, Right? We Put It On, We Go Out, Put Our Best Foot Forward, Our Best Image. but Behind That Social Mask Is a Personal Truth, What We Really, Really Believe About Who We Are and What We’re Capable Of.
The Internet Is Just Bringing All Kinds of Information into the Home. There’s Just a Lot of Distraction, a Lot of Competition for the Parent’s Voice to Resonate in the Children’s Ears.
There’s a Big Difference Between Falling in Love and Being in Love. There’s a Big Difference Between Infatuation and Falling in Love.
It’s Better to Be Healthy Alone Than Sick with Someone Else.
At the End of the Day, Whether or Not Those People Are Comfortable with How You’re Living Your Life Doesn’t Matter. What Matters Is Whether You’re Comfortable with It.
A Year from Now, You’re Gonna Weigh More or Less Than What You Do Right Now.
I’m Embarrassed Every Time I Look a Teacher in the Eye, Because We Ask Them to Do so Much for so Little.
We Teach People How to Treat Us.
My Dad Used to Say, ‘You Wouldn’t Worry so Much About What People Thought About You If You Knew How Seldom They Did.
Awareness Without Action Is Worthless.
Eighty Percent of All Choices Are Based on Fear. Most People Don’t Choose What They Want; They Choose What They Think Is Safe.
If Your Neighbor Has a Completely Different View on Abortion, Gay Marriage, Stem Cell Research, All of Those Things, You Still Are Both Americans. Neither One of You Is Necessarily More Patriotic Than the Other. Neither Loves Their Country Any More Than the Other One Does.
A Lot of People Do Have Tragic Childhoods. but You Know What? Get Over It.
You Have Got to Decide, Look, This Is Who I Am; This Is My Best Way to Present Myself, and I’m Going to Ride That Horse to the Finish Line. Not Everybody Will Like It, but That’s OK.
You Need to Listen to Your Body Because Your Body Is Listening to You.
There Is Nothing Wrong with Your Marriage If You’re Dealing with Bills and Kids and the Broken Garbage Disposal and in Laws and Work Demands. That’s a Normal Marriage.
You’re Only Lonely If You’re Not There for You.
Sometimes You Just Got to Give Yourself What You Wish Someone Else Would Give You.
If You Want More, You Have to Require More from Yourself.
Sometimes You Make the Right Decision, Sometimes You Make the Decision Right.
You Know, What We Do Know Is That There Is a High Frequency of Violence in the Home of Those Who Bully.
There Are Some Sick People in This World.
Successful Weight Loss Takes Programming, Not Willpower.
If You’re Trying to Get Out of Debt, You Have to Be Willing to Treat Everything as Expendable.
I Mean, If You Degrade Someone, You Isolate Them, You Control Them, You Call Them Names, You Demean Them. That’s a Horrible Existence for People.
You Don’t Need a Pack of Wild Horses to Learn How to Make a Sandwich.
The Truth Is, I Think We Are a Self Less Society, Not a Selfish Society. Because We’re so Busy Now.
Relationships Are Negotiated and If You Deal with Ultimatums and Authority All the Time, Then You’re Not Going to Get Anywhere.
Oh, Everybody Wears a Mask. We All Put Our Best Foot Forward. We All Try and Make a Statement, I’m Not Saying That’s Bad.
Everyone Faces the Challenge of Finding Meaning to Their Suffering.
I Don’t Substitute Anybody Else’s Judgment for My Own.
I Don’t Care How Pumped up or Psyched You Are to Start a New Diet or a New Program That Emotion Will Fade.
God Is a Loving God.
Food Is a Coping Mechanism; People Are Afraid of Giving It up Because Then They’ll Feel Confused and Lost.
Don’t Wait Until You’re in a Crisis to Come up with a Crisis Plan.
Do You Realize That You Can’t Play the Game of Life with Sweaty Palms?
As Parents We’re Not Nearly as Computer Literate as Our Children Are.
If You’ve Gone into a Marriage and You Haven’t Been Clear About How You’re Going to Handle Money, How You Want to Raise Kids, Who Is Going to Work or Stay Home or What Have You, Then You’ve Set Yourself up for Failure.
I Do Not Believe, Even Remotely, That You Have to Have a Partner in Your Life in Order to Be Whole, in Order to Be Complete, in Order to Be Fulfilled. You Just Don’t Have To.
You Don’t Need a Rope to Pinch a Stranger’s Butt.
People Are Used to Being Coddled.
Parents Need to Dial in and Know What Their Kids Are Doing.
Now, My Body Fat Runs Around 18 Percent, Which Is Normal And, You Know, Kind of in the Middle of Normal, Actually.
Not Everybody Is Some Kind of Media Model.
Life Is a Full Contact Sport, and There’s a Score up on the Board.
It’s so Much Easier to Tell People What They Want to Hear Instead of What They Need to Hear.
It’s Hard to See Your Own Face Without a Mirror.
I’ve Learned a Tremendous Amount from Oprah.
I’m One of Those That Believes You Can’t Be One Kind of a Man and Another Kind of President.

Did you know?

FACTS · 28

Little-known facts about Phil McGraw — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

He earned his Master of Arts in experimental psychology in 1976 and his Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1979 from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.
Chuck Norris once trained under him, and Norris reportedly called McGraw his favorite student.
In 1968, he played as a middle-linebacker for the University of Tulsa football team on scholarship. That year, on November 23, the team lost 100-6 to the University of Houston in one of the most lopsided college football games ever. Houston wide receiver Larry Gatlin of Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers scored a touchdown in that game.
Because his father was an alcoholic, McGraw became a strict teetotaler at age 16.
He has two older sisters, Deana and Donna McGraw, and a younger sister, Brenda McGraw.
The children’s television series Sesame Street introduced a puppet named Dr. Feel in his honor in 2004.
With the start of Dr. Phil in 2002, he and his wife Robin and youngest son Jordan moved to Beverly Hills, purchasing a $7 million mansion. His older son Jay attended law school at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Joyce Brothers was a major inspiration for him.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Midwestern State University in 1975.
Forbes magazine estimated his 2007 earnings at $30 million.
His favorite movies are Used Cars 1980 and Tommy Boy 1995.
He owns a Korean Jindo dog named Maggie.
In 2006, he donated $1 million to the Dr. Phil McGraw Foundation.
His estimated net worth is $280 million.
He has over 45 years of training in clinical psychology, forensic psychology, behavioral medicine, litigation consultation, and deception detection.
He has two sons: Jay McGraw born 1979 and Jordan McGraw born 1986.
His all-time favorite books are To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee fiction and Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl non-fiction.
He is a longtime golfing buddy of comedian-actor Ron White.
He attended and graduated from Shawnee Mission High School in Overland Park, Kansas.
He worked for several years as a forensic psychologist and litigation consultant, and is trained in deception detection.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 21, 2020.
He has retired from practicing psychology.
He has worked with local, state, and federal law enforcement in training interrogation techniques, deception detection, and how to get to the truth.
He is friends with Steve Harvey.
He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
He is a grandfather to London Phillip McGraw and Avery Elizabeth McGraw.
He endorsed Donald Trump for president in 2024.
He is the father-in-law of Erica Dahm and Morgan Stewart McGraw.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 45

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Phil McGraw.

When was Phil McGraw born?

Phil McGraw was born on September 1, 1950. He is currently 74 years old as of early 2025.
Where was Phil McGraw born?

He was born in Vinita, Oklahoma, USA. This small town is in the northeastern part of the state.
What is Phil McGraw's real name?

His birth name is Phillip Calvin McGraw. He is popularly known as Dr. Phil.
What does Phil McGraw do for a living?

He is a writer, producer, and actor. He is best known as the host of the talk show Dr. Phil.
What nationality is Phil McGraw?

He is an American. He holds United States citizenship.
Who is Phil McGraw married to?

He has been married to Robin McGraw since August 14, 1976. He was previously married to Debbie Higgins McCall from 1970 to 1973.
Does Phil McGraw have children?

Yes, he has two sons: Jay McGraw born 1979 and Jordan McGraw born 1986. Jay is a lawyer and television producer, and Jordan is a musician.
Where did Phil McGraw go to school?

He attended Shawnee Mission North High School in Overland Park, Kansas. He earned a B.A. in psychology from Midwestern State University and later a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas.
What awards has Phil McGraw won?

He has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020 and a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host. He has also received multiple other nominations.
How many awards has Phil McGraw won?

He has won at least two major awards: a Daytime Emmy and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. He has also received numerous nominations.
What is Phil McGraw best known for?

He hosts the daytime talk show Dr. Phil, which premiered in 2002. He also appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
What is Phil McGraw's Instagram?

His official Instagram handle is @drphil. He posts about his show and personal life.
How tall is Phil McGraw?

He stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall, which is about 1.91 meters. His height is often noted on his television appearances.
Why is Phil McGraw called Dr. Phil?

He is called Dr. Phil because he holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. The nickname was popularized by Oprah Winfrey when he began appearing on her show.
What other names has Phil McGraw used?

He has been credited as Dr. Phil, Dr. Phil McGraw, Phillip C. McGraw, and other variations. He uses Dr. Phil professionally.
Does Phil McGraw have siblings?

Yes, he has three siblings: two older sisters named Deana and Donna, and a younger sister named Brenda.
Who are Phil McGraw's relatives?

His grandchildren are London Phillip McGraw and Avery Elizabeth McGraw. He is also the father-in-law of Erica Dahm and Morgan Stewart McGraw.
What is Phil McGraw's net worth?

His estimated net worth is $280 million. He has earned substantial income from his talk show, books, and other ventures.
Did Phil McGraw play football?

Yes, in 1968 he played as a middle-linebacker for the University of Tulsa on a scholarship. His team suffered a famous 100-6 loss to the University of Houston.
What books has Phil McGraw written?

He has written several books, including Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters, Relationship Rescue, and Family First.
Has Phil McGraw appeared in movies?

He has appeared as himself in films such as Scary Movie 4 and Madea Goes to Jail. He also voiced himself on The Simpsons.
What is the Dr. Phil McGraw Foundation?

He established the Dr. Phil McGraw Foundation to which he donated $1 million in 2006. The foundation supports various charitable causes.
Did Phil McGraw endorse a presidential candidate?

Yes, he endorsed Donald Trump for president in 2024. This was widely reported in the media.
Is Phil McGraw retired from psychology?

He has retired from practicing psychology. He now focuses on his talk show and other media projects.
Does Phil McGraw have a dog?

Yes, he owns a Korean Jindo dog named Maggie. He has mentioned her in interviews.
Who are Phil McGraw's friends?

He is friends with comedian Ron White and Steve Harvey. He also has a longtime friendship with Ron White, with whom he golfs.
What is Phil McGraw's favorite movie?

His favorite movies are Used Cars 1980 and Tommy Boy 1995. He has cited these in interviews.
Did Phil McGraw serve in the military?

There is no indication he served in the military. His career has been in psychology and media.
What is Phil McGraw's educational background in psychology?

He earned a B.A. in psychology from Midwestern State University, a master’s in experimental psychology, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas.
Has Phil McGraw won a Daytime Emmy?

Yes, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host. He has also received multiple nominations.
What year did Phil McGraw get his star on the Walk of Fame?

He received his star on February 21, 2020. It is located at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
How many children does Phil McGraw have?

He has two children: Jay McGraw born 1979 and Jordan McGraw born 1986. Both are from his marriage to Robin.
Who is Phil McGraw currently married to?

He is married to Robin McGraw. They have been together since 1976.
What is the name of Phil McGraw's talk show?

His talk show is called Dr. Phil. It debuted in 2002 and has been on the air for over two decades.
Where does Phil McGraw live?

He lives in Los Angeles, California. He moved there in 2002 when his show launched.
What is Phil McGraw's background in law enforcement?

He has trained local, state, and federal law enforcement in interrogation techniques and deception detection. He has over 45 years of experience in forensic psychology.
Did Phil McGraw really train Chuck Norris?

According to trivia, he once put Chuck Norris under his training and Norris called him his favorite student. This has been reported in various outlets.
What is Phil McGraw's favorite book?

His favorite fiction book is To Kill a Mockingbird and favorite non-fiction is Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.
How much money did Phil McGraw earn in 2007?

Forbes estimated his 2007 earnings at $30 million. He has consistently been a high earner from his show.
Is Phil McGraw active on social media?

Yes, he is active on Instagram @drphil, Twitter @DrPhil, Facebook drphilshow, and YouTube drphil.
What is the name of the Sesame Street puppet inspired by Phil McGraw?

The puppet was named Dr. Feel, introduced in 2004 as a parody of Dr. Phil.
Does Phil McGraw have any pets?

Yes, he owns a Korean Jindo dog named Maggie. He has mentioned her fondly.
What is Phil McGraw's height in feet?

He is 6 feet 3 inches tall. This is often mentioned in his bio.
What is Phil McGraw's highest-grossing book?

His book Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters has been a bestseller. Specific sales figures are not disclosed.
How old was Phil McGraw when he started his talk show?

He was 52 years old. He was born in 1950 and the show launched in 2002.

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Audited & updated by

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on June 18, 2026

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