Source: Al Pereira / Getty
Regis Philbin, the media personality who spent decades hosting talk and game shows, has died at 88.
He was 88 and died of natural causes, according to a family statement.
“His family and friends are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him – for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his singular ability to make every day into something worth talking about. We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss,” his family wrote in a statement.
Regis became an iconic television host in 1988 with the premier of his talk show “Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee,” staring alongside Kathie Lee Gifford. The show later became “Live! with Regis and Kelly” in 2001 when Gifford departed and was replaced with Kelly Ripa. He left the show in 2011.
Philbin was also the original host of the widely known game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” from 1999 to 2002. His hosting career also included “Who Wants to Be a Super Millionaire,” “Million Dollar Password” and the first season of “America’s Got Talent.”
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