Regis Francis Xavier Philbin (August 25, 1931 – July 24, 2020) was an American media personality, actor, and singer, known for hosting talk and game shows. Having been called “the hardest working man in show business”, Philbin holds the Guinness World Record for the most hours on U.S. television. His trademarks included his excited manner, his New York accent, his wit, and his irreverent ad-libs.
Philbin gained his first network TV exposure in 1967 as Joey Bishop’s sidekick on The Joey Bishop Show. Philbin is most widely known for having been the co-host of the New York City-based nationally syndicated talk show Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee starting in 1988, which became Live! with Regis and Kelly starting in 2001, and continued with former football player Michael Strahan after Philbin’s departure in 2011.
Philbin debuted and hosted the US version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Million Dollar Password, and the first season of America’s Got Talent.
Regis Philbin cause of death
On July 24, 2020, Philbin died of natural causes at the age of 88, one month before his 89th birthday.
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.
Regis Philbin Says Goodbye. Nov 18, 2011
Who wants to be a Millionaire- million dollar winner