Wikipedia

Regis Philbin

American television personality (1931–2020)

Regis Francis Xavier Philbin[1][2] (/ˈriːdʒɪs ˈfɪlbɪn/; August 25, 1931 – July 24, 2020) was an American media personality, actor and singer, known for hosting talk and game shows since the 1960s.[3] Sometimes called (alternatively attributed to James Brown) "the hardest working man in show business",[4][5] he held the world record for the most time spent in front of a television camera.[6] He was most widely known for Live! with Regis and Kelly (previously Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee),[7] Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,[7] Million Dollar Password,[8] and for hosting the first season of America's Got Talent.[9]

Regis Philbin
Philbin in 2000
Born
Regis Francis Xavier Philbin[1][2]

August 25, 1931
Bronx, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 24, 2020(2020-07-24) (aged 88)
Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Cause of deathHeart attack caused by coronary artery disease
EducationCardinal Hayes High School
Alma materUniversity of Notre Dame
Occupations
Years active1961–2020
Spouse(s)Catherine "Kay" Faylen (1955–68)
Joy Senese (1970–2020; his death)
ChildrenAmy
Joanna
J. J. Philbin
Daniel
Parent(s)Francis Philbin
Filomena (née Boscia)

Early life

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Philbin was born in the Bronx, New York City. His father, Francis "Frank" Philbin, a U.S. Marine who served in the Pacific, was of Irish ancestry.[10] His mother, Filomena "Florence" (nee Boscia), was of Arbëreshë ancestry. They lived in the Van Nest section of the Bronx.[11] Philbin was raised Roman Catholic.[10] He was supposedly named "Regis" because his father wanted him to attend the prestigious Regis High School. It was long believed that Philbin was an only child, but on the February 1, 2007, broadcast of Live with Regis and Kelly, Philbin announced that he did have a brother, Frank M. Philbin (March 1, 1951 – January 27, 2007), who had died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma several days earlier.[12] Philbin said his brother had asked to not be mentioned on television or in the press.[13]

Philbin attended Our Lady of Solace grammar school in the Bronx,[14] and graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx in 1949 before attending the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated in 1953 with a sociology degree. He later served in the United States Navy as a supply officer, then went through a few behind-the-scenes jobs in television and radio before moving into the broadcasting arena.[12]

Television career

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Philbin filled in for Dick Clark for the 2004 edition of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve after Clark suffered a stroke.[15]

On November 18, 2011, Philbin aired his final episode of Live! with Regis and Kelly.

Death

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On July 24, 2020, Philbin died at the age of 88, one month before his 89th birthday.[16] TMZ reported that Philbin had died at Greenwich Hospital in Connecticut of heart disease.[17] The Blast revealed that he had died after having a heart attack caused by coronary artery disease.[18]

References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Regis Philbin". CityFile New York. Archived from the original on October 31, 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Regis Philbin at chacha.com". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  3. ↑ Regis Philbin on IMDb
  4. ↑ "Best of Connecticut 2006: People & Entertainment". Connecticut Magazine. 2006-09-26. Archived from the original on 2007-09-15. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  5. ↑ "CNN Newsroom transcript, March 21, 2007". CNN. 2007-03-21. Archived from the original on 2007-07-22. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  6. ↑ "The happiest man in television". CNN.com. Associated Press. 2008-05-30. Archived from the original on 2 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-01. With each TV appearance, he adds to his record for most hours logged (15,662, as certified by Guinness World Records in 2006).
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Regis Philbin - Kelly Ripa - Live with Regis and Kelly - Review". Archived from the original on 2009-04-28. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  8. ↑ "Regis Philbin: Million Dollar Password on CBS". CBS. Archived from the original on 2009-02-12. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  9. ↑ Jerry Springer replacing Regis Philbin as 'America's Got Talent' host - Reality TV World
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 A&E, Television Networks (2009). "Regis Philbin Biography". Biography. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2014. :(Commentary; "Part of an Irish Catholic family, ...")
  11. ↑ regis
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Regis Philbin - Bio Brief - Biography". Archived from the original on 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  13. ↑ Starr, Michael (February 2, 2007). "He's My Brother". New York Post. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Four County Catholic". Archived from the original on 2007-11-13. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  15. ↑ "Regis Philbin, Other Stars, Fans Remember Dick Clark". East Idaho News. 2012-04-19. Archived from the original on 2020-07-26. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
  16. ↑ "Regis Philbin, Legendary Television Host, Dies at 88". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
  17. ↑ "Regis Philbin Dead at 88, Cause of Death Revealed as Heart Disease". TMZ. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
  18. ↑ "Regis Philbin Dead At 88 After Reportedly Suffering Heart Attack". The Blast. 2020-07-25. Retrieved 2020-07-26.

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