Regis Philbin’s family has remembered the latest icon on television after his death at age 88 last week.
Philbin’s wife Joy, 79, and their two daughters, Jennifer, 45, and Joanna, 47, reflected on their special connection to viewers in an emotional statement shared with People.
“He left everyone in his life,” the women said. “ She turned every little daily hassle and happiness into a story, and shared all those little stories with people in a joyous and conversational way. He made his audience feel like they were with him, because they were. ”
“ He let everyone come into his life ”: Regis Philbin’s family has remembered the television icon after his death at 88 last week (pictured with his wife Joy in 2016)
Philbin was surrounded by loved ones when he died of natural causes on July 24, his family told People on Saturday.
The cause of the star’s death was revealed Wednesday, with the Medical Examiner’s Office in Farmington, CT telling E! News Philbin died of a myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease.
The late host was remembered by countless celebrities, who paid tribute to Philbin on social media, including Donald Trump, Jimmy Fallon, and his former co-ghost, Kelly Ripa.
Philbin was one of America’s most beloved television presenters, with people like Who wants to be a millionaire and America’s got talent to his credit.
However, he was perhaps best known for his performance as a presenter on ABC’s Live!, Which he starred from 1985 until his retirement in 2011.
Family man: the Philbins with their daughters, Joanna and Jennifer, in 1987
Storytelling: Philbin’s family said the television presenter “turned every little annoyance and daily happiness into a story” (pictured with his family in 2003)
Philbin co-hosted the show with Kathie Lee Gifford from 1985 until her departure in 2000, and then with her replacement Kelly Ripa, who has remained on the show ever since.
Gifford paid tribute to Philbin on the Today show, where he recalled their immediate connection.
“We took off like a rocket,” he said, describing him as “the most beloved person I have ever met in this business.”
Gifford said he recently had lunch with Philbin and his wife Joy, and felt a “fragility” about him that he didn’t notice during their last meeting in January.
Television team: Regis cohosted Live! with Kathie Lee Gifford from 1985 until her departure in 2000 (in 1999 photo)
Dynamic duo: The couple co-organized their successful show in Hawaii in 1997
But that didn’t stop the trio from sharing a lot of laughter.
“We sit here on my screened porch and laugh out loud, we always pick up right where we left off,” she said, adding that she and Philbin had become “dear friends” even after she left the show.
“We had the best time, and after they left, I thought, ‘Sir, is this the last time I go to see my friend? “
“Because he was failing, I realized it.”
Meanwhile, Kelly remembered the deceased star with a photo of her posing with Philbin and his new Live! cohost Ryan Seacrest.
‘We are more than sad to know about the loss of Regis Philbin. 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. – Kelly and Ryan, ” she wrote on Instagram.
Paying tribute: Kelly Ripa, meanwhile, remembered the deceased star with a photo of her posing with Philbin and his new Live! cohost Ryan Seacrest
.
