Regis Philbin, Legendary Television Host, Dies at 88
"His family and friends are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him – for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his singular ability to make every day into something worth talking about," the Philbin family shares with PEOPLE in an exclusive statement
Regis Philbin has died. The beloved star was 88.
The longtime television host died on July 24, PEOPLE confirms. "We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night of natural causes, one month shy of his 89th birthday," his family shares with PEOPLE in an exclusive statement on Saturday.
"His family and friends are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him – for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his singular ability to make every day into something worth talking about. We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss," the Philbin family says.
In 1988, Philbin began his iconic career as the host of Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee alongside Kathie Lee Gifford. After 15 years, Gifford left the ABC show but the pair remained close after her departure.
In 2001, the franchise became Live! with Regis and Kelly, co-starring Kelly Ripa before he left in 2011 after 23 years on-air. (He was replaced by former football player Michael Strahan, who later departed for Good Morning America and was replaced by Ryan Seacrest in 2017.)
Philbin also served as the original host of the widely popular game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? from 1999 to 2002. In addition, the New York City native's hosting credits include Million Dollar Password, the first season of America’s Got Talent, as well as a reoccurring co-host seat on Rachael Ray.
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Born on August 25, 1931, Philbin was raised in the Bronx and graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1949 before attending the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a sociology degree in 1953.
After serving in the Navy, Philbin began his career in show business as a writer and made his way in front of the camera in 1961 with a local talk show in San Diego called The Regis Philbin Show. Then in 1967, he became widely known as Joey Bishop's sidekick on The Joey Bishop Show.
After a string of local talk shows, including A.M. Los Angeles and Regis Philbin's Saturday Night in St. Louis, he moved to New York in 1983 to host The Morning Show, which was renamed three years later as Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee.
Philbin's accolades include Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding talk show host for Live! in 2001 and 2011 as well as outstanding game show host for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. He also received a Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2008.
Throughout his career, Philbin had various health issues. He underwent an angioplasty in 1993, followed by triple bypass surgery due to plaque in his arteries in March 2007. In December 2009, the television personality had his hip replaced.
Philbin, who was married twice, is survived by daughters J.J. Philbin and Joanna Philbin, whom he shared with his wife of 50 years. He was also father to daughter Amy Philbin, whom he shared with his first wife Catherine Faylen. Philbin and Faylen had another child, son Daniel Philbin, who died in 2014.
Wow, sad. He's the kind of person you can't imagine dying with all that exuberance. I can still picture him doing his schtick after death. _________________ GOAT MAGIC REEL SEDALE TRIBUTE EDDIE DONX!
RIP, Regis. _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 35813 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2020 12:03 pm Post subject:
Damn. Loved watching Who Wants to be a Millionaire and never felt the same without him. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 90306 Location: Formerly Known As 24
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2020 12:12 pm Post subject:
Had just an amazing zest and likeability about him. He will be missed. _________________ “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” ― Elie Wiesel
Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 67631 Location: In a world where admitting to not knowing something is considered a great way to learn.
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2020 3:23 pm Post subject:
It's entertainment. 3 comes to mind. Regis Philbin and Peter Green. Waiting for the next shoe to drop. Regis made Kathy Lee. RIP _________________ Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 4330 Location: Meeting the man who met Andy Griffith.
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2020 5:25 pm Post subject:
non-player zealot wrote:
Wow, sad. He's the kind of person you can't imagine dying with all that exuberance. I can still picture him doing his schtick after death.
I loved Regis, I used to watch R&KL religiously as a young teen, randomly getting boners from KL’s legs. Regis definitely had Chick vibes to him which is probably why I loved him so much. RIP! _________________ "The best there is. The best there was. The best there ever will be.", said Bret Hart regarding the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wow, sad. He's the kind of person you can't imagine dying with all that exuberance. I can still picture him doing his schtick after death.
I loved Regis, I used to watch R&KL religiously as a young teen, randomly getting boners from KL’s legs. Regis definitely had Chick vibes to him which is probably why I loved him so much. RIP!
Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 4330 Location: Meeting the man who met Andy Griffith.
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 9:34 pm Post subject:
non-player zealot wrote:
Dladi Vidac wrote:
non-player zealot wrote:
Wow, sad. He's the kind of person you can't imagine dying with all that exuberance. I can still picture him doing his schtick after death.
I loved Regis, I used to watch R&KL religiously as a young teen, randomly getting boners from KL’s legs. Regis definitely had Chick vibes to him which is probably why I loved him so much. RIP!
Haha. You and Ravishing Rick Rude, my friend.
GOLD!! _________________ "The best there is. The best there was. The best there ever will be.", said Bret Hart regarding the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wow, sad. He's the kind of person you can't imagine dying with all that exuberance. I can still picture him doing his schtick after death.
I loved Regis, I used to watch R&KL religiously as a young teen, randomly getting boners from KL’s legs. Regis definitely had Chick vibes to him which is probably why I loved him so much. RIP!
Haha. You and Ravishing Rick Rude, my friend.
GOLD!!
How'd I know you two cretins would be reminiscing like this. Man that clip is the greatest. _________________ KOBE
Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 31912 Location: Anaheim, CA
Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 3:33 am Post subject:
jonnybravo wrote:
Dladi Vidac wrote:
non-player zealot wrote:
Dladi Vidac wrote:
non-player zealot wrote:
Wow, sad. He's the kind of person you can't imagine dying with all that exuberance. I can still picture him doing his schtick after death.
I loved Regis, I used to watch R&KL religiously as a young teen, randomly getting boners from KL’s legs. Regis definitely had Chick vibes to him which is probably why I loved him so much. RIP!
Haha. You and Ravishing Rick Rude, my friend.
GOLD!!
How'd I know you two cretins would be reminiscing like this. Man that clip is the greatest.
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