Kelly Ripa, Kathie Lee Gifford and other celebrities remember late television legend Regis Philbin, “the last act of class” and “true gentleman.”
On Saturday, the family confirmed the death of the 88-year-old man to Persons. “We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night from natural causes, a month before his 89th birthday,” the statement said. “His family and friends are always grateful for the time we spent with him, for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his unique ability to make every day something worth talking about. We thank his fans and admirers for her incredible support during her 60-year career and asking for privacy as we grieve her loss. “
In 1988 Philbin began hosting Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee alongside Gifford, and in 2001, he joined Ripa to Live! with Regis and Kelly. Philbin left the franchise in 2011, then hosted Who wants to be a millionaireand America has talent. Her Twitter account, with 34.2,000 followers, says “17,000 hours on television and counting, just try to stop me!”
Ripa and Ryan Seacrest from Live with Kelly and Ryan released a joint statement on Saturday. “We are more than sad to know about the loss of Regis Philbin,” said his Instagram note. “It was the best class act, bringing his laughter and joy to our homes every day on Live for over 23 years. We were very lucky to have him as a mentor in our careers and we aspire every day to fill his shoes on the show. We send our deepest love and condolences to his family and hope that they can find some comfort in knowing that he left the world in a better place. “
Related: Regis Philbin Through the Years
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Regis Philbin through the years
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 11: Regis Philbin arrives for the ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ at the Ed Sullivan Theater on June 11, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Donna Ward / Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – July 24: Television personality Regis Philbin enters the recording of ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ at the Ed Sullivan Theater on July 24, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra / FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 2: Television personality Regis Philbin enters the recording of ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ at the Ed Sullivan Theater on April 2, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra / FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 3: Television personality Regis Philbin enters the recording of ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ at the Ed Sullivan Theater on January 3, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra / FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 31: Regis Philbin appears on ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’ at the Ed Sullivan Theater on January 31, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Donna Ward / Getty Images)
NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 17: Regis Philbin tells the Late Show audience that David Letterman kissed him on the lips when Letterman appeared earlier in the week on the Philbin show. Regis Philbin was Dave’s guest on the Late Show with David Letterman on CBS. (Photo by John P. Filo / CBS via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 6: Television personality Regis Philbin visits ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ at the Ed Sullivan Theater on October 6, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jeffrey Ufberg / WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 18: Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa on set during Regis Philbin’s final show of ‘Live! with Regis & Kelly ‘at the Live with Regis & Kelly Studio on November 18, 2011 in New York, New York. (Photo by Neilson Barnard / Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 18: Regis Philbin on set during Regis Philbin’s final show of ‘Live! with Regis & Kelly ‘at the Live with Regis & Kelly Studio on November 18, 2011 in New York, New York. (Photo by Neilson Barnard / Getty Images)
NEW YORK – AUGUST 18: Television personality Regis Philbin visits ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ at the Ed Sullivan Theater on August 18, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jeffrey Ufberg / WireImage)
Regis Philbin signs a large poster copy of his TV Guide cover in which he is dressed as Major Nelson of ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ (Photo by Gregory Pace / FilmMagic)
Regis Philbin at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, New York (Photo by James Devaney / WireImage)
385178 07: Talk show host Regis Philbin and new co-host Kelly Ripa speak to the public during a broadcast of ‘Live with Regis and Kelly’, February 5, 2001 in New York City. Ripa, known for her role in the ABC soap opera ‘All My Children,’ replaces Kathie Lee Gifford, who left the show in July 2000. (Photo by Spencer Platt / Newsmakers)
07/28/00 New York City Kathie Lee Gifford’s final performance on TV’s ‘Live with Regis & Kathie Lee’ at ABC Studios. Photo by Evan Agostini / ImageDirect
Regis Philbin during Regis Philbin signs his new book ‘I’m Only One Man’ – September 12, 1995 at B. Dalton Bookstore in New York City, New York, USA. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
Regis Philbin during Revlon’s Unforgettable Women of 1990 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
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As Gifford wrote under an Instagram photo of the two of them, “There are no words to fully express my love for my precious friend, Regis. She just adored him and every day with him was a gift. We spent 15 years together joking, arguing and giggling, a tradition and friendship that we share to this day. I smile knowing that somewhere in the sky, right now, he’s making someone laugh … “
Today Hostess Hoda Kotb tweeted a photo of Philbin and Gifford writing, “Heartbroken. We miss you, Regis “and comedian Jimmy Kimmel, who is also host Who wants to be a millionaireHe called the father of four “a great announcer, a good friend, and a tremendous amount of fun.”
“The end of an era,” declared Lisa Rinna of The real housewives of Beverly Hills. “A great friend and mentor. I will never forget your generosity of sweet spirit Regis. You changed my life and I will never forget the lessons you taught me. You taught me how to fly. May you rest in peace with the angels.
Paula Abdul and Rosie O’Donnell called Philbin a “charming” man and friend.
AND The Bachelor Host Chris Harrison said Philbin was a “legend” and “a true gentleman”.
President Donald Trump even shared a memory on Twitter: “One of the greats in television history, Regis Philbin, switched to even bigger airwaves, at 88 years old. He was a fantastic person and my friend. He kept telling me to run for president. He holds the record for ‘most live television’, and he did well. Regis, we love you …
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