Regis Philbin | |
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![]() Philbin in 2000 | |
Born | August 25, 1931 |
Died | July 24, 2020 Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S. | (aged 88)
Cause of death | Heart attack caused by coronary artery disease |
Education | Cardinal Hayes High School |
Alma mater | University of Notre Dame |
Occupations | |
Years active | 1961–2020 |
Spouse(s) | Catherine "Kay" Faylen (1955–68) Joy Senese (1970–2020; his death) |
Children | Amy Joanna J. J. Philbin Daniel |
Parent(s) | Francis Philbin Filomena (née Boscia) |
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]
With each TV appearance, he adds to his record for most hours logged (15,662, as certified by Guinness World Records in 2006).