American television personality (1931–2020) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | August 25, 1931 |
| Died | July 24, 2020 (aged 88) Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S. |
| 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) |
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]
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.
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]
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