Famous McGraws we AREN'T related to Volume II: Dr. Phil

Famous McGraws we AREN'T related to Volume II:

Dr. Phil

Phillip Calvin "Phil" McGraw was born September 1, 1950) in Vinita, Oklahoma. He grew up with three sisters in the oilfields of North Texas where his father was an equipment supplier. During his childhood, his family moved so his father could pursue a lifelong goal of becoming a psychologist.

But a history lesson isn't what you came here for, you want to know if we're related don't you?

As we've told you before, our family is descended from William MacCraw I who came to Virginia before the Revolutionary War. Dr. Phil's family, on the other hand, has only been in America for a few generations. Surprised?

We are, too! Doc Phil's Great-Grandfather John William McGraw was born in Ireland in 1848, the same year that our John married Mahala. 

Phil's John McGraw ended up in Texas where he married Mary Esther Rice. According to the 1880 Census, they lived in Collin, TX.  Among their children was Joe Phillip McGraw , Sr,  who was born in 1885. He had a son, Joe Phillip, Jr., born in 1924 in Knox, TX, who was Phil's father. While it is theoretically possible we could be related if we go back a few centuries in Ireland, there is currently NO evidence we are related other than sharing a last name.

Do you feel better or worse now that you know the truth? Are you happy or sad that the person who gives such sage advice is not one of our own?

I have to agree with this last quote, but I'm not sure if he's referring to himself or Oprah. He graduated in 1975 from Midwestern State University with a B.A. in psychology. He went on to earn an M.A. in experimental psychology in 1976, and a Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology in 1979 at the University of North Texas.

As we said earlier, his father was a psychologist as well, so based on the next one we can see where he gets his simple wit.

After obtaining his doctorate, McGraw joined his father, Joe McGraw, in Wichita Falls, Texas, where the elder McGraw had established his private psychology practice. In 2008 on the Today Show he said that his current work does not involve the practice of psychology and that he had "retired from psychology". According to the Today Show, the California Board of Psychology determined in 2002 that he did not require a license because his show involves "entertainment" rather than psychology. McGraw's license is currently listed by the Texas State Board of Psychology as "retired" in 2006 and he holds no other active licenses to practice in any other state.

So, in truth, Dr Phil isn't a Doctor anymore- he's just Phil.

(But then again, Doc Brooks wasn't a Doctor either. Hmm. This makes me wonder about Dr. Pepper, he's from Texas too!)

OK, what else can we tell you about Dr. Phil. Well,  In 1968, he was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Tulsa. On November 23 of that year, his team lost to the University of Houston 100–6, which is one of the most lopsided games in college football history. The coach retired after that season and Phil transferred to Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.

And if any of you have a clue what this means, let us know:

Who will it be next? What illusions will we destroy?

You'll just have to wait and see!