Dr. Phil McGraw, 75, is a well-known television psychologist and talk show host famous for his advice and commentary on the Oprah Winfrey Show and his own talk show that ran for over 20 years.
More recently, McGraw has been involved in a messy bankruptcy case and faced accusations of fraud and mismanagement through his company, Merit Street Media.
Here are five more things to know about him.
He was born in Oklahoma.
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McGraw was born in Vinita, Oklahoma on September 1, 1950, according to Biography’s website.
He was raised in both Oklahoma and Texas.
He has a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of North Texas.
McGraw began his college career on a football scholarship from the University of Tulsa before finishing his undergraduate degree at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, the website said.
He earned his Ph.D. in 1979 before working as a private practice psychologist with his father.
He met Orpah Winfrey in 1996 through his start-up company Courtroom Sciences, Inc.
McGraw’s Courtroom Sciences, Inc. was a trial consulting agency.
In 1996, he helped Winfrey prepare for the Amarillo beef trial, in which she was being sued by cattlemen who claimed she defamed the beef industry during a segment on her popular television show.
After that, he became a regular guest on Oprah’s show, where he advised people on life strategies and relationships before launching his own talk show Dr. Phil in 2002.
He is a best-selling author.
McGraw has written 10 books and even hosted three podcasts, according to the Simon & Schuster publishing house website.
His most recent book, The 20/20 Diet: Turn Your Weight Loss Vision Into Reality, was published in 2014.
His podcasts are called Phil in the Blanks, Mystery and Murder: Analysis by Dr. Phil and The Dr. Phil Podcast.
He launched a Dallas-based media company after filing for bankruptcy in July.
McGraw launched ENVOY Media Co. after filing for bankruptcy with Merit Street Media, a television network in partnership with Fort Worth-based Trinity Broadcasting Network.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Scott Everett converted the case to a Chapter 7 on Tuesday, according to The Texas Lawbook.