Regis Philbin and David Letterman
Regis Philbin: Long Time Television Legend Dies at 88
Regis Philbin, the legendary long-time television host passed away at the age of 88 on July 24 at Greenwich Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Joy Philbin and has four children from two previous marriages. He resided in Greenwich, Connecticut.
He got his start in his career as a ‘page’ for The Tonight Show in the 1950s. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and served in the US Navy.
Regis hosted several daytime television programs, including, the famous syndicated talk show, Live With Regis and Kathy Lee starting in 2001 until his departure in 2011. He also hosted several game shows including Who Wants To Be a Millionaire., Million Dollar Password and the first season of, America’s Got Talent. He quickly earned the title, “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business.” He’s won several Daytime Emmys and even a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Philbin was cast as car salesman Handsome Hal on Kelly Ripa’s sitcom Hope & Faith, once playing the piccolo in this role.
He was chosen as the voice of a minor female character in Shrek the Third: Mabel, the sister of the Ugly Stepsister (played by Larry King).
Philbin had an angioplasty in 1993. On March 14, 2007, he underwent triple bypass surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center because of plaque in his arteries. Prior to the surgery, Philbin talked with David Letterman, for whom Philbin had substituted on Late Show with David Letterman during Letterman’s own quintuple bypass surgery. Following Philbin’s successful heart surgery, he returned to the show on April 26.
On December 1, 2009, Philbin had hip-replacement surgery. He returned on Monday, January 4, 2010, to his regular hosting duties. In May 2010, Philbin underwent surgery to have a blood clot removed from his calf. He returned to work the next day.
YouTube Video: Regis Philbin on David Letterman
I had the opportunity to meet and interview him once while on assignment for a local Greenwich newspaper for a fundraiser for Greenwich Hospital in 2017. He was very funny, polite, and charming.
Many celebrities paid their respects by tweeting their condolences. Even President Trump himself! Here’s a few of them:
One of the greats in the history of television, Regis Philbin has passed on to even greater airwaves, at 88. He was a fantastic person, and my friend. He kept telling me to run for President. Holds the record for “most live television”, and he did it well. Regis, we love you….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/chrisbharrison/status/1287113821752967168?s=20
Saddened to hear about the passing of Regis Philbin. Condolences to his wife Joy. 😞
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 25, 2020
Very sad that Regis Philbin has passed away. A wonderful man and a great broadcaster. I loved every moment I had with him on and off the stage. My love to Joy and the family.
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) July 25, 2020
Regis Philbin was such a prolific talent. He could do it all, and we loved him for it. I will miss him every day. My heartfelt condolences to Joy and his family. pic.twitter.com/SUSyEdReS7
— Larry King (@kingsthings) July 25, 2020