Phillip Calvin Mcgraw, better known in the U.S as 'Dr. Phil', is an American TV personality, an author and psychologist and equally, the presenter of his own television show, 'Dr. Phil.' In his career, he has amassed fame and fortune but not without its controversies. Let us have an overview of the life and work of Dr. Phil McGraw.
Dr. Phil's early years
Dr. Phil was born on the 1st of September 1950 in Vinita, Oklahoma and is the son of an oil equipment supplier. He grew up with three sisters before attending the University of Tulsa, under an American Football scholarship where he played middle linebacker.
He had the misfortune of being on the receiving ends of one of the most one-sided games in college football history - a 100 - 6 defeat to the University of Houston. Shortly after this, he transferred to Midwestern State University.
Early career
Phillip graduated from Midwestern State University with a bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He then did a master's degree in experimental psychology before finally earning the title of Dr Phil Mcgraw. He obtained his Ph.D in clinical psychology from the University of Texas in 1979.
Mcgraw went on to work with his father in his father's psychology practice, as well as delivering seminars before he went on to write a best-selling book, 'Life Strategies.'
Later, he went on to co-founded Courtroom Sciences Inc. (CSI), a trial consulting firm through which McGraw later came into contact with Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Phil shows
McGraw first gained fame in 1995 when Oprah Winfrey hired McGraw's legal consulting firm CSI to prepare her for a trial that she was involved in.
Winfrey was so impressed with McGraw that she thanked him for her victory in the case, which ended in 1998 and as part of her gratitude, she invited him to appear on her show. His appearance proved so successful that he began appearing weekly as a "Relationship and Life Strategy Expert" on Tuesdays, starting in April 1998.
Over the next four years after this, McGraw went on to write three other best- selling relationship books.
In 2002, McGraw formed his own production company, Peteski Productions, and launched his own daily television show, Dr. Phil. It is an advice show, where he tackles a different topic on each show, offering advice according to his guests' troubles.
Personal life today
McGraw is married to Robin Jameson and the couple has two children, Jay and Jordan. The children have now moved out and McGraw shares his home with his wife in Beverly Hills.
McGraw is also a private pilot, with an instrument rating, flying single engine airplanes in his leisure time.
