Regis Philbin, TV Host With the Most Congenial Demeanor, Dies at 88
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
He presided over live morning shows for four decades, emceed 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' and served as Joey Bishop's late-night sidekick. Regis Philbin, the indefatigable and downright neighborly host of talk shows and game shows who spent more time in front of a television camera than anyone else, has died. He was 88.
Philbin died of natural causes according to a family statement, PEOPLE reported on Saturday. The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Philbin's representatives for comment.
Unfailingly perky and personable during his 60-plus years in show business, Philbin hosted live morning programs from Los Angeles and New York from the early 1970s through 2011, sharing cups of coffee and flipping through the morning papers alongside the likes of Ruta Lee, Sarah Purcell, Cyndy Garvey, Mary Hart, Kathie Lee Gifford and Kelly Ripa.
Like Jack Paar before him, Philbin engaged his audience with tales about his personal life and the seemingly mundane events of his day. Philbin made his mark in primetime as host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, helping transform ratings-laggard ABC into the No. 1 network in 1999-2000 by drawing audiences of 30 million to a game show that aired three and then five times a week.
Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/regis-philbin-dead-host-morning-shows-who-wants-be-a-millionaire-was-88-1126718
OnlinePoker
(5,721 posts)hlthe2b
(102,289 posts)RIP, Regis (i'll even forego any snide Kathy Lee Gifford comments, who, I'm sure is mourning your passing too)
PSPS
(13,600 posts)It was in July 1968. I can't find a clip, but here's Regis talking about it
IcyPeas
(21,884 posts)at the drop of a hat. that's really the only place I ever saw him.
RIP
George II
(67,782 posts)BComplex
(8,053 posts)BHDem53
(1,061 posts)frequent guest. He could always be counted on to fill in when there was a guest cancellation or to do the Top Ten List or just a cameo in one of the skits. That is a real buddy. Rest in peace, Mr. Philbin.
IthinkThereforeIAM
(3,076 posts)... CBS called Regis and informed him of the situation and would he come in to host the show tonight? Regis told them you bet, "what time do you want me to show up"?
Skittles
(153,169 posts)yes indeed
yuiyoshida
(41,831 posts)some Celebrities we know ...ahem.
BumRushDaShow
(129,077 posts)Didn't realize his age (although I knew he had been around for awhile). But then time flies and he was a year younger than my mom. All the 1930s "Depression babies".
R.I.P.
jorgevlorgan
(8,300 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)jorgevlorgan
(8,300 posts)May he go where good, kind and humble people go when they pass.
Aristus
(66,381 posts)I read somewhere once that Hugh Downs accumulated more on-air hours than any other television personality. I guess Reege beat his record.
Polybius
(15,428 posts)RIP.
Mosby
(16,318 posts)RIP.
Dukkha
(7,341 posts)"He kept telling me to run for President."
Just FUCKING SHUT UP ALREADY!!!
Beartracks
(12,816 posts)========
dalton99a
(81,515 posts)SayItLoud
(1,702 posts)He was as so many here have posted. Kind, engaging, honest and "one of the good guys" in Hollywood/NY. RIP Reeg.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)I always "felt-like" I knew him... he'd been a part of our lives (in some form or another) for so many years... always there... just like family.
wheelinanddealin
(22 posts)RIP
Response to NurseJackie (Original post)
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