Emmy Award-winning television presenter Regis Philbin, best known for his long stint on the syndicated morning talk show “Live” and on the hit ABC game show “Who wants to be a millionaire,” died of natural causes on Friday night. He was 88 years old.
“His family and friends are always grateful for the time we spend 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 their incredible support during his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss, “the Philbin family said in a statement obtained by Variety.
Always ready with a comment or observation, Philbin was inspired by Jack Paar, particularly in the way Paar connects to the camera. Philbin He said he admired Paar’s “talkative style and personality” and infused his own personality into the air with similar intimacy.
“I told stories of what had happened in my life during the week, all very similar to the kind of things Jack did night after night,” wrote Philbin in his 2011 book “How I Got This Way.” “I’ve never stopped doing it that way.”
Despite his accessibility and personality, Philbin was careful not to overshadow his guests. Early in his career, when he was told he was a good listener, he channeled that talent into his interview style: “He just doesn’t skip to the next question and doesn’t jump on the guest. You let them be the star of any moment they have with you, ”he said.
First broadcast in 1983 as “The Morning Show” locally on WABC-TV in New York, “Live” began as a 90-minute weekday program co-organized with Cyndy Garvey. In 1984, it switched to a 60-minute format (with a new co-host, Ann Abernathy). And in 1988, she entered national syndication as “Live With Regis and Kathie Lee” when Gifford joined the show.
The chemistry with Gifford was immediate. “We kind of ran into each other as diametric opposites,” Philbin said, “which seemed to give the audience the most kicks we got from our silly mutual ribs.”
They weren’t afraid to jump into publicly pleasurable absurdities with their guests, either. Philbin noted, “I think we were the first show to feature those bulky fat suits that made us look like Japanese sumo wrestlers.”
Gifford’s long tenure on the show was followed in 2000-01 by a change of title to “Live With Regis” and a succession of guest co-hosts. In 2001 Kelly Ripa joined the show, which became “Live With Regis and Kelly”. Philbin remained at the center of the program.
In 2011, Philbin abandoned long conversations about how, who at the time had aired over 6,000 issues, welcomed more than 20,000 guests, and was viewed by 1.1 million audience members in the studio. Producers of the show estimate that members of their out-of-town audience have generated half a trillion dollars for the New York City economy.
Born in New York City, Regis Francis Xavier Philbin initially aspired to be a Bing Crosby-style singer, but took a different path in show business.
He started on behind-the-scenes television, as a page for “The Tonight Show” in the 1950s. He continued to work in local television markets in Los Angeles and San Diego, working as a reporter, writer, substitute presenter, and presenter.
His first talk show, “The Regis Philbin Show,” first aired at KOGO in San Diego in 1961. The show’s low budget prevented writers or producers, allowing Philbin to develop his signature opening segment. ” host chat. “
He had a brief and tantalizing foray into the nation’s syndication in 1964-65 with “That Regis Philbin Show,” and his next big break came in 1967, when he was an announcer on “The Joey Bishop Show,” playing the second banana of the previous. Packer rat.
Philbin also hosted more local talk shows in Los Angeles and St. Louis.
In 1975, he was on “AM Los Angeles,” a show initially presented with Sarah Purcell, then Garvey. During her tenure, the show rose to No. 1 in the rankings and remained there until 1981, when Philbin left.
In addition to his numerous talk show gigs, Philbin performed seasons on game shows, including “The Good Neighbors,” which had a brief performance during 1975-76 and, most famously, “Who wants to be a millionaire” (1999- 2003)
He made special appearances on numerous television series, including “How I Met Your Mother,” “30 Rock,” “Ugly Betty,” “Seinfeld,” co-host of the Ripa series “Hope and Faith,” “Mad About You. “and” Spin City.
Most recently, he won a Daytime Emmy for his featured talk show host in 2011, with co-host Ripa, for “Live With Regis and Kelly.” He won two Daytime Emmys in 2001, one for the featured talk show host for “Live With Regis” and one for the game show host for “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” He and Ripa also won a Daytime Emmy for an Outstanding Special Class Special for hosting the 2006 “Walt Disney Christmas Parade”. He was recognized in 2008 with a Daytime Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievements.
In 2011 he guessed on NBC’s “30 Rock” as himself, and in 2012 he appeared in two episodes of TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland”.
In 2015, he reunited with Gifford by joining the fourth hour of NBC’s “Today.”
He holds the Guinness World Record for most hours in front of the camera on American television, recording over 16,700 hours over the course of his career.
He was able to fulfill his dream of singing in the midst of his other television projects, releasing several albums, including “It’s Time for Regis!” From 1968, “When You’re Smiling” (2004) and “The Regis Philbin Christmas Album” (2005). .
Philbin is survived by his wife, Joy Senese Philbin, and their two daughters, as well as a son and daughter from a previous marriage. Joy was a frequent guest co-host on “Live”.
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