For nearly 30 years, there was no one Americans would rather start their day, drinking a morning coffee with, or laugh along with during late night tv talk shows, than Regis Philbin.
Philbin died at age 88 on Friday night, according to his family.
And like any celebrity worth knowing about, TMZ did the honors:
TV Legend, Regis Philbin Has Died at 88 https://t.co/M8V6ZbMN87
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 25, 2020
Most people know Regis Philbin from his morning show, “Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee,” — later, “Live with Regis and Kelly” — and the monster game show hit, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” But there was more to Philbin than what you saw on the screen.
Was lucky to see these two at Disney in June 1993 – Regis Philbin's Longtime Cohost Kathie Lee Gifford Breaks Silence on His Death https://t.co/jmVOKA7d3r
— jeff wfh (@pizzadadlives) July 26, 2020
Variety reported, that by the time Philbin stepped down from co-hosting “Live ” in 2011, the show “had aired over 6,000 episodes, hosted more than 20,000 guests, and been seen by 1.1 million in-studio audience members.”
Regis Philbin's bittersweet farewell to 'Live!," the show that gave him his 'last chance' https://t.co/x7YCyVGODK pic.twitter.com/4a8boCKxrN
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) July 25, 2020
Practically everything he was a part of showed he had the golden touch — or a massive amount of luck, as this remarkable paragraph from Variety reveals:
Most recently, he won a Daytime Emmy for outstanding talk show host in 2011, with co-host Ripa, for his final year on “Live With Regis and Kelly.” He won two Daytime Emmys in 2001, one for outstanding talk show host for “Live With Regis” and another for game show host for ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.’
Walt Disney Company on passing of Regis Philbin: "He was an amazing person, consummate entertainer, TV icon, and a true Disney Legend" https://t.co/0TnkUFN7hb
— KRON4 News (@kron4news) July 26, 2020
On Saturday night, when news broke about the entertainer’s passing, Disney-ABC — Philbin’s home for most of his 50-year, tv career — aired this three-minute tribute, breaking in to live sports programming:
WATCH: ABC News Special Report: Legendary TV host Regis Philbin has died. He was 88. https://t.co/vp6GuQePVq pic.twitter.com/Fv6bjD3YVf
— ABC News (@ABC) July 25, 2020
And Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger wrote:
“We are heartbroken to hear that a longtime colleague and friend, Regis Philbin, passed away at the age of 88. Regis graced us with warmth, humor, and self-deprecating wit, always bringing happiness to us all. Our hearts go out to Joy and to his family. Rest in Peace, Regis.”
Even after his retirement, his presence is no stranger to ABC studios in New York…
Regis Philbin was a beloved part of the WABC-TV family. Right outside our front door at 7 Lincoln Square, you can find this plaque that honors his legendary career. May he rest in peace. https://t.co/2qFT9O9mdV pic.twitter.com/bqnzCtFEpa
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) July 25, 2020
Nor are the remembrances from those who worked with him there, including former studio boss Michael Eisner…
Saddened by the passing of Regis Philbin. Regis was a fantastic guy with whom I interacted with for at least 35 years and was a neighbor. He was a superstar at ABC with an enormous wit. #ripregisphilbin
— Michael Eisner (@Michael_Eisner) July 25, 2020
…and others in NY who saw Philbin as a mentor:
He was a GIANT. A pillar of the industry in it's heyday. Larger than life and at the same time so down to earth. The type of guy who would go out of his way to offer words of encouragement to a 23 year old kid beginning his career at WABC back in 1996. I'll miss you Regis. https://t.co/fMawfCX2yk
— Lee Goldberg (@LeeGoldbergABC7) July 25, 2020
Way back when, Philbin was the announcer on the network’s “Joey Bishop Show”; and you could already see the off-the-cuff, Jack Paar-esque style that people came to love:
Jump back to 1967's Battle of the Nehru Jackets on ABC's "The Joey Bishop Show." We'd put our money on Team Regis for the win. #RIPRegisPhilbin pic.twitter.com/EI8XcUua2x
— RealGilbertACP (@RealGilbertACP) July 26, 2020
Another person who loved that style was late-night talk show legend, David Letterman, who paid his respects in a moving statement, putting Philbin in “the same category” as Letterman’s mentor, the great Johnny Carson…
According to Variety, he said: “In the same category as Carson. Superlative. He was on our show a million times, always the best guest we ever had, charming, lovable and could take a punch. When he retired I lost interest in television. I love him.”
From David Letterman on #RegisPhilbin : “In the same category as Carson. Superlative. He was on our show a million times, always the best guest we ever had, charming, lovable and could take a punch. When he retired I lost interest in television. I love him.”
— Cynthia Littleton (@Variety_Cynthia) July 25, 2020
…along with others on Saturday, especially comedians or other talk show hosts:
We throw this word around too much but Regis Philbin was a legend. He was a true gentleman I’m glad I got to know and a TV host I admired and was honored to follow. Much like Arnold Palmer everybody has a great “Regis” story, I’m grateful I have mine
— Chris Harrison (@chrisbharrison) July 25, 2020
What a loss- The wonderful Regis Philbin. I met him in 1985 when I was on the “Rodney Dangerfield Young Comedians Special” and we loved each other ever since. Such a TV icon and above all, a good man. My sympathies to Joy and all of his children and friends.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) July 25, 2020
Damn. Awful news. Regis Philbin was a friend and a mentor to me. I will never forget his kindness and support. He truly was a mensch.
— Craig Ferguson (@CraigyFerg) July 25, 2020
Not so usual: getting a send-off by the President of the United States that includes the words, “He was a fantastic person, and my friend.”
Pres. Trump wrote:
“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. And to Joy, his wonderful wife who he loved so much, my warmest condolences!!!”
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
….And to Joy, his wonderful wife who he loved so much, my warmest condolences!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2020
How about a tribute from the U.S. Navy?
Fair winds and following seas, Mr. Philbin.
We have the watch, Shipmate! @Regis Philbin (LTJG) served honorably in the U.S. Navy as a 310X-Supply Corps Officer, 1953 – 1955 pic.twitter.com/DLiH2hK9av
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) July 25, 2020
But I can’t end this In Memoriam piece in good conscience without sharing a few items I think give the truest view of who Regis Philbin was: a friend.
Especially crucial are this poignant tweet and Instagram post from Kathie Lee Gifford, who entertained us alongside Regis for fifteen, wonderful years.
She wrote that she “simply adored him”:
There are no words to fully express the love I have for my precious friend, Regis. I simply adored him and every day with him was a gift. We spent 15 years together bantering and bickering and laughing ourselves silly—a tradition and a friendship we shared up to this very day. I smile knowing somewhere in Heaven, at this very moment, he’s making someone laugh. It brings me great comfort knowing that he had a personal relationship with his Lord that brought him great peace. I send all the love in my heart to Joy, to his children, to the rest of his family and to the innumerable people he touched over his legendary life. There has never been anyone like him. And there never will be.
REGIS. There will never be another.
— Kathie Lee Gifford (@KathieLGifford) July 25, 2020
Indeed.
Television legend Regis Philbin has reportedly died at the age of 88, according to multiple reports. https://t.co/FYJHGxdkWq
— WSYX ABC 6 (@wsyx6) July 25, 2020
I’ll close with this: Three years ago, on February 15, 2017, Philbin visited with longtime friend Larry King, on the latter’s online talk show, “Larry King Now.”
As you’ll see in the full video on ORA.tv’s YouTube, even 25 minutes wasn’t nearly enough for two “buddies”… who made their living just having a chat with someone.
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
Here are a couple clips:
Larry asks his friend some “rapid-fire” questions:
Rest in peace, Regis.
