Who Is Regis Philbin? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Regis Philbin was born on August 25, 1931, in New York City. Known for his charming personality and quick wit, Philbin became a staple of American television, amassing a career spanning over six decades. He is perhaps best known for his role as the host of Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Philbin's contributions to television earned him numerous awards and honors, including several Daytime Emmy Awards. He continued to entertain audiences until his passing on July 24, 2020, leaving behind a legacy of charisma and talent.
| Occupation | Game Show Host |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 25, 1931 |
| Age | 88 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 25 July, 2020 |
| Died Place | Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S. |
Popularity
Regis Philbin's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Regis Philbin stood approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall and maintained a weight that fluctuated throughout his life, generally around 160 pounds (73 kg). While specific measurements are not publicly disclosed, Philbin was known for his fit physique, which he maintained through an active lifestyle.
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. Before the surgery, Philbin talked with David Letterman, for whom he had substituted on Late Show with David Letterman during Letterman's own quintuple bypass surgery.
After Philbin's successful heart surgery, he returned to the show on April 26. On December 1, 2009, Philbin had hip replacement surgery. He returned to his regular hosting duties on January 4, 2010. In May 2010, he underwent surgery to have a blood clot removed from his calf, and returned to work the next day.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Regis was married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to Catherine Faylen in 1955, with whom he had a daughter, Amy. The couple eventually divorced in 1968. In 1970, he married Joy Philbin (nee Senese), and they had two daughters together, Joanna and Jennifer. Regis and Joy remained together until his passing, demonstrating a loving and supportive relationship that lasted over five decades.
His father, Francis "Frank" Philbin, was a US Marine of Irish descent who served in the Pacific, and his mother, Filomena ("Florence"; née Boscia), was a member of an Albanian-Italian immigrant family from Greci. Philbin had a Catholic upbringing.
He was supposedly named "Regis" because his father wanted him to attend his alma mater, the prestigious Regis High School.
It was long believed that he was an only child, but he announced on Live with Regis and Kelly in February 2007 that he had a brother named Frank (March 1, 1951 – January 27, 2007), who had died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma several days earlier.
Philbin said his brother had asked not to be mentioned on television or in the press while still alive to protect his privacy.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2020, Regis Philbin had an estimated net worth of $150 million. His wealth was amassed through various lucrative hosting gigs, television appearances, and endorsements. Philbin commanded substantial salaries during his peak years, especially during his tenure with Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, which significantly boosted his earnings.
Philbin hosted the first season of America's Got Talent, a Simon Cowell–produced amateur talent search show on NBC, during the summer of 2006. He flew between New York City and Los Angeles during that time period to participate in both Live with Regis and Kelly and AGT.
Because of his difficulty with commuting cross country and his health problems, he was replaced in 2007 by talk show host Jerry Springer. With regard to filling Philbin's spot, Springer noted that "no one fills in for Regis.
He's the best there ever was at this so you pay homage to him." Philbin's affiliation with Fremantle started to develop at this time. He hosted a revival of the Password franchise entitled Million Dollar Password, which premiered June 1, 2008, and ended on June 14, 2009.
Career, Business and Investments
Regis Philbin's career began in local television before making an impact on national networks. His breakthrough came with The Morning Show in 1983, which later evolved into Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee. The show garnered immense popularity, paving the way for his successful run with Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in the late 1990s.
In addition to his television career, Philbin made appearances in movies and theater, often showcasing his love for the arts. He was also involved in various philanthropic endeavors and invested in several business ventures, contributing to his financial success.
Regis Francis Xavier Philbin (August 25, 1931 – July 25, 2020) was an American television presenter, comedian, actor, and singer. Once called "the hardest-working man in show business", he held the Guinness World Record for the most hours spent on US television.
Social Network
While Regis Philbin himself was not active on social media during his lifetime, his legacy continues to thrive online. Fans and followers often share memories and tributes across platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. His family maintains his legacy through official pages that celebrate his remarkable life and career.
Education
Philbin graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1953, where he earned a degree in sociology and a minor in theology. His time at Notre Dame had a significant influence on his values and work ethic, which propelled him into the forefront of American television.
After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, Philbin served in the US Navy and got his television start serving as a page for The Tonight Show in the 1950s. He got his first network television exposure in 1967 as Joey Bishop's sidekick on The Joey Bishop Show.
He is most widely known as 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 in 2001, and continued as Live! with Kelly'' after Philbin's departure in 2011.
He is also well known as the original host of the American version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, the most-watched prime-time series of the 1999–2000 US television season.
