A LOSS FOR AMERICA: Regis Philbin Has Passed Away

A beloved talk show host.

Regis Philbin passed away last Friday night of natural causes. He was 88. 

Philbin had a long and successful career. Born in Manhattan in 1931, Philbin graduated from Notre Dame and was in the navy for two years as a lieutenant.  After his time in the navy, Philbin searched for a media gig, eventually landing a role at Rockefeller Center as an NBC page.  He went on to work as a KCOP stagehand and newswriter, and as a reporter at a small San Diego radio station.  He became a feature reporter and anchor on KOGO-TV (now KGTV), eventually convincing the station to give him a live Saturday night talk show, The Regis Philbin Show.  Philbin has also hosted multiple morning programs from Los Angeles and New York with Ruta Lee, Sarah Purcell, Cyndy Garvey, Mary Hart, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Kelly Ripa.  He hosted the game show, Who Want to Be a Millionaire, drawing audiences of 30 million.  He was inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame in 2006.

Philbin married twice, first to Kay Faylen from 1955-68, and then to Joy Senese in 1970.  He had four children, Amy and Daniel with Faylen, and Joanna and Jennifer with Senese.  A family statement reported: “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.”

Regis Philbin will be greatly missed!

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