Regis Philbin veteran co-host Kathie Lee Gifford posted an emotional tribute on Instagram after receiving news of Philbin’s death.
Gifford wrote about his colleague: “There are no words to fully express the love I have 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 is making someone laugh. I am very comforted to know that he had a personal relationship with his Lord that brought him great peace. I send all the love from my heart to Joy, her children, the rest of her family and the countless people she touched during her legendary life. There has never been anyone like him. And there never will be. “
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Gifford first joined Philbin in The morning show at WABC-TV in New York in 1985. Their confrontation proved to be successful and he quickly gained important local ratings which were syndicated nationally in 1988 as Live with Regis and Kathie Lee. She stayed as a hostess until 2000.
Philbin died Friday of natural causes. He was 88 years old.
“We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night from natural causes, a month before his 89th birthday,” according to a statement released to Persons magazine today for your family.
Phiblin’s presenter career included shows. AM Los Angeles and Regis Philbin Saturday Night in St. Louis before moving to New York. She later hosted the successful primetime show Who wants to be a millionaire as well as the first season of America has talent. He won the Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Talk Show Host, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmys in 2008.
Survivors include his daughters JJ Philbin and Joanna Philbin, whom he shared with his wife Joy, 50. He was also the father of his daughter Amy Philbin, whom he shared with his first wife, Catherine Faylen.
