Regis Philbin, beloved TV host of 'Regis and Kathie Lee' and 'Who Wants to Be A Millionaire,' dies at 88
Philbin's family confirmed the news to USA TODAY in a statement sent Saturday by his representative Kay Lewis.
"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 wrote.
His family and friends will be "forever grateful" for the time they had with him, they added.
"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 said.
Philbin, who had years of experience in morning talk, teamed up with then-Kathie Lee Johnson (Gifford) in 1985 on “The Morning Show” in New York. Their success in the nation’s top media market led to national syndication in 1988 and a new name, “Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee.”
He became a ubiquitous presence on television, much of it coming from decades in daytime talk highlighted by more than 20 years on the show with Gifford, followed by “Live! With Regis and Kelly” (2001-2011), with Kelly Ripa. Philbin made his last appearance on the show, now known as “Live! With Kelly and Ryan,” in November 2011.
On TV, he frequently mentioned his wife, Joy, and their day-to-day activities became part of the conversation. Joy Philbin also guest-hosted "Live!" with her husband.
Celebrities routinely stopped by Philbin’s eponymous syndicated morning show, but its heart was in the first 15 minutes, when he and Gifford (or Ripa) bantered about the events of the day. Viewers laughed at Philbin’s mock indignation over not getting the best seat at a restaurant the night before, or being henpecked by his partner.
Gifford told USA TODAY in 2019 that she hesitated to join the “Today” show in 2008 because she feared her best TV years were captured on "Regis and Kathie Lee."
"I thought I’d done the best television I could possibly do. Regis and I did 15 years together, and we changed the face of daytime television forever," she said. "We really did ... (Philbin is) a master at it, and I felt very grateful to be a part of history."
After exiting his position as co-host on “Live! With Regis and Kelly” in 2011, Philbin told Larry King in a 2017 interview that he hadn’t kept in touch with his Ripa since his departure.
In the middle of his “Live!” reign, Philbin arguably became the biggest name on TV, hosting ABC’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?,” a two-week 1999 game-show event that became a national phenomenon. Philbin’s trademark question, “Is that your final answer?,” became quoted everywhere.
The show became a TV supernova, spawning a prime-time series hosted by Philbin and a long-running syndicated version hosted by Meredith Vieira and others. But, largely due to overexposure, the prime-time edition flamed out fairly quickly, ending in 2002. Philbin hosted special event versions in 2004 and 2009, with ABC reviving the format this year with Jimmy Kimmel as host.
The audience responded to Philbin’s warm, comic touch in the role. He later jokingly referred to himself as the man who saved ABC. It wasn’t complete hyperbole: ABC was suffering in the ratings before the game became a smash success. Forbes reported that two-thirds of ABC’s operating profit in 2000 was due to “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?”
Philbin, a U.S. Navy veteran and proud University of Notre Dame graduate who frequently touted his alma mater on TV, was famous for his New York accent and an enthusiastic vocal style, his cadence rising in speed, intensity and volume as he grew more excited, leading to many affectionate imitations.
Over the years, Philbin logged more than 15,000 hours on the air, earning him recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most broadcast hours by a TV personality, a record previously held by Hugh Downs.
“Every day, you see the record shattered, pal!” Philbin would tell viewers. “One more hour!”
Philbin was so prevalent on the small screen it led to friendly ridicule from comedians, including David Letterman, who frequently featured Philbin as a guest on his late-night talk shows. Philbin knew that terrain as well as daytime, having served as second banana to Joey Bishop’s brief stint as an ABC late-night host in the 1960s.
Philbin also acted early on in his career, appearing on such shows as “The Big Valley,” “Get Smart” and “That Girl” in the 1960s and early 1970s. He returned to scripted comedies in later decades as a household name, playing himself on “Spin City,” “Family Guy,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “30 Rock” and “New Girl.” His most recent appearances were on “Fresh Off the Boat” in 2019 and “Single Parents” in April. He was named a Disney Legend in 2011.
He's survived by his wife, Joy, and their daughters Joanna and J.J. (Jennifer Joy) Philbin, as well as his daughter Amy Philbin with his first wife, Catherine Faylen, according to People. J.J., a TV writer and producer, is married to Michael Schur, executive producer of "The Good Place," "Parks and Recreation" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."
Filmography
Television
Year(s), Title, Role, Notes
1962, The Tonight Show, announcer,
1964–1965, That Regis Philbin Show, host,
1967–1969, The Joey Bishop Show, sidekick/announcer,
1968, The Big Valley, reporter, Episode: "The Challenge"
1968, Cowboy in Africa, Bernie Levine, Episode: "African Rodeo"
1968, Get Smart, bakery counter clerk, Episode: "The Hot Line"
1968, It's Happening, himself,
1968, The Don Rickles Show, himself,
1968, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, himself,
1968, The Danny Thomas Hour, customer, Episode: "Two for Penny"
1969 and 1971, Love, American Style, ,
1970, That Girl, Ron Rouser, Episode: "That Cake"
1970, The Silent Force, disc jockey, Episode: "The Wax Jungle"
1972, The Jimmy Stewart Show, Johnny Crown, Episode: "Jim's Decision"
1973, The Karen Valentine Show, himself,
1975, The People's Lawyer, himself,
1975–1976, The Neighbors, host,
1975–1981, A.M. Los Angeles, co-host,
1976, Almost Anything Goes, co-host,
1977, SST: Death Flight, Harry Carter,
1977, Mad Bull, Raymond Towne,
1977, The San Pedro Beach Bums, emcee, Episode: "Sweepstakes Bums"
1978, CHiPs, newscaster, Episode: "Disaster Squad"
1978, Lucan, tourist, Episode: "Thunder God Gold"
1979, Mirror, Mirror, TV host,
1979 and 1983, Fantasy Island, ,
1980, Steve Martin: Comedy Is Not Pretty!, public service announcer,
1981, True Life Stories, host,
1981, Battle of the Las Vegas Show Girls, host,
1981–1982, Password Plus, himself,
1981–1982, The Regis Philbin Show, co-host,
1982, Star of the Family, TV host, Episode: "Quiet Kind of Hero"
1983–1988, The Morning Show, co-host,
1984–1987, Lifestyles with Regis Philbin, host,
1985, California Girls, himself,
1986, New Love, American Style, Co-Star, Episode: "Love and Alimony"
1987–1988, The New Hollywood Squares, himself,
1988, Ryan's Hope, Malachy Malone,
1988–2000, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, co-host,
1991, WrestleMania VII, commentator and interviewer, aired March 24, 1991
1991–1996, Miss America, co-host,
1992, 1998 and 2006, Celebrity Jeopardy!, himself,
1993, Mad About You, himself, Episode: "The Man Who Said Hello"
1993–2015, Late Show with David Letterman, himself, 136 appearances (more than any other guest)
1994, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, himself, Episode: "May I Ride with You"
1994, The Larry Sanders Show, himself, Episode: "Like No Business I Know"
1994, Seinfeld, himself, Episode: "The Opposite"
1995, The Cosby Mysteries, himself, Episode: "Big Brother Is Watching"
1995, Hope and Gloria, himself, Episode: "Listen, Sister"
1995, Women of the House, himself, Episode: "Dear Diary"
1996, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, himself, Episode: "I, Stank Hole in One"
1996, Life's Work, Glen Bradley, Episode: "Fired"
1997, Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special, Jack (voice),
1997, Second Noah, himself, Episode: "Diving In"
1997, 1999 and 2000, Spin City, himself,
1998, Caroline in the City, himself, Episode: "Caroline and the Sandwich"
1998, The Simpsons, himself, Episode: "Treehouse of Horror IX"
1998, Soul Man, himself, Episode: "Grabbed by an Angel"
1998, Hercules, Typhon (voice),
1998, Diagnosis: Murder, Darrin Tate, Episode: "Talked to Death"
1999, LateLine, himself, Episode: "Pearce on Conan"
1999, The Famous Jett Jackson, himself, Episode: "New York"
1999–2002, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, host,
2000, 2 Minute Drill, himself, aired December 25, 2000
2000–2001, Live with Regis, co-host,
2001, Becker, homeless man, Episode: "Small Wonder"
2001–2011, Live with Regis and Kelly, co-host,
2002, Family Guy, himself (voice), Episode: "Family Guy Viewer Mail #1"
2003, 2005 and 2006, Hope & Faith, Hal Halverson,
2004, Who Wants to Be a Super Millionaire, host,
2004, Lilo & Stitch: The Series, voice, Episode: "Drowsy"
2005, Less than Perfect, Xin Xao Pi, Episode: "Get Away"
2005, All My Children, himself, aired September 14, 2005
2005, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, guest host,
2006, This Is Your Life, host, unsold pilot
2006, America's Got Talent, host,
2006, Deal or No Deal, himself, aired May 15, 2006
2007, The Knights of Prosperity, himself, Episode: "Operation: Oswald Montecristo"
2007, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, himself, aired November 1, 2007
2008, Ugly Betty, himself, Episode: "The Manhattan Project"
2008, How I Met Your Mother, himself, Episode: "The Best Burger in New York"
2008–2009, Million Dollar Password, host,
2009, Brothers & Sisters, himself, Episode: "Sibling Rivalry"
2009, Damages, himself, Episode: "I Lied, Too"
2009, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: 10th Anniversary Celebration, host,
2010, 37th Daytime Emmy Awards, host, aired June 27, 2010
2011, Take Two with Phineas and Ferb, himself, aired February 25, 2011
2011, 30 Rock, himself, Episodes: "100: Part 1" and "100: Part 2"
2011, WWE Raw, himself, aired May 2, 2011
2011, Celebrity Ghost Stories, himself, aired June 18, 2011
2011, The Marriage Ref, himself, aired July 3, 2011
2011, Cake Boss, himself, aired October 9, 2011
2012, Piers Morgan Tonight, guest host, aired May 29, 2012
2012, Hot in Cleveland, Pierre,
2012, Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, host,
2012, The Haunting Of...Regis Philbin, himself, aired December 1, 2012
2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017, Today, guest co-host,
2012–2017, Rachael Ray Show, recurring co-host,
2013, The Talk, guest co-host,
2013–2014, Crowd Goes Wild, host,
2015, The Late Late Show, guest host,
2015, New Girl, himself, Episode: "Clean Break"
2015, The Odd Couple, Walter, Episode: "Enlightening Strikes"
2016, Uncle Grandpa, Easter Bunny (voice), Episode: "Uncle Easter"
2016, Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet to Come, himself, aired December 20, 2016
2017, Home and Family, guest co-host,
2017, Game Changers, himself, aired October 20, 2017
2017, The Joker's Wild, himself,
2019, Fresh Off the Boat, himself, Episode: "Lou Wants to Be a Millionaire"
2020, Single Parents, himself, Episode: "Oh Dip, She's Having a Baby", final television appearance
Films
Year, Title, Role
1972, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask), himself
1978, Sextette, himself
1978, The Bad News Bears Go to Japan, Harry Hahn
1983, The Man Who Loved Women, himself
1985, Malibu Express, himself
1990, Funny About Love, himself
1992, Night and the City, himself
1993, The Emperor's New Clothes, Emperor (voice)
1996, Open Season, himself
1999, Torrance Rises (mockumentary), himself
1999, Dudley Do-Right, himself
2000, Little Nicky, himself
2001, See How They Run (documentary), himself
2002, Roberto Benigni's Pinocchio, Ringmaster (voice)
2002, People I Know, himself
2003, Cheaper by the Dozen, himself
2004, The Breakup Artist, himself
2005, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, himself
2006, Little Miss Sunshine, voice, uncredited
2007, Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (documentary), himself
2007, Shrek the Third, Mabel (voice)
2008, The Great Buck Howard, himself
2010, New York Street Games (documentary), himself
2010, Just Laugh! (documentary), himself
2010, Shrek Forever After, Mabel (voice)
2011, Jack and Jill, himself, final movie appearance
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