Regis Francis Xavier Philbin is an Emmy Award-winning American television personality and occasional actor known for his roles as a talk show host, game show host, and presenter at various events. Appearing on television since the late 1950s, Philbin is often called (somewhat tongue-in-cheek and alternately attributed to James Brown), "the hardest working man in show business" and holds the Guinness World Record for the most time spent in front of a television camera. His trademarks include his excited manner, his New York Bronx accent, and irreverent ad-libs. He is most widely known for Live with Regis and Kelly, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and for hosting the first season of America's Got Talent.
Had angioplasty on his right artery on April 27, 2000. Had the procedure performed on the left artery in 1993. He was back on television three days later.
Has two children with Catherine Faylen: Amy Philbin and Danny Philbin (born 1967).
Has two children with Joy Philbin : Joanna Philbin and Jennifer Joy (aka J.J. Philbin ).
Received his degree in sociology from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana.
He got his name, Regis, from his fathers high school.
Shares Italian and Irish heritage began his career as a stagehand in KCOP-TV, Los Angeles. Progressed to his own local shows like "Regis Philbins Saturday Night in St. Louis"; then host of "A.M. Los Angeles" in 1975.
Attended and graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, New York , whose alumni also include Martin Scorsese and Don DeLillo.
Grand Marshal, Tournament of Roses parade on January 1, 2002.
Worked on "The Tonight Show" as a page, and soon thereafter, as a news writer at a local Los Angeles station.
Served in the United States Navy as a supply officer.
His first wife was the daughter of actor Frank Faylen , who played Dobie Gillis father on television.
Former son-in-law of Carol Hughes. Former brother-in-law of Carol Faylen.
Grew up at 1990 Cruger Avenue in the Van Nest section of the Bronx, New York.
In summer 2004, he appeared for his 15,188 hour on national television, passing Hugh Downs to become the most filmed television personality of all-time.
Resides in the same building as Howard Stern .
Resides across the street from the studio where he tapes his show.
Contrary to popular belief, had a brother, Frank, who was 18 years younger. Frank passed away in January 2007 from cancer.
Very good friends with Academy Award winners Jack Nicholson and Robert De Niro.
Underwent successful heart bypass surgery on March 14, 2007.
Father-in-law of Michael Schur.
In 2007, Forbes magazine estimated his earnings for the year at $21 million.
Joked that he has called on about every 30 years to host the Oscars in 2008. His last took place in February 1979.
Makes up the first half of the popular, annual Relly Awards. He and his co-host, Kelly Ripa , award prizes to viewers and/or guests to their show for the contest of the day.
Is named in the Guinness Book of World Records as having more on-air, on-camera time of any person... and still counting.
Cousin of Kara DioGuardi.
Left his role as host on "Americas Got Talent" , after the first season, because of his scheduling conflicts and some health problems he had suffered, many years ago.
Guest-hosted for Dick Clark on New Years Rockin Eve 2005 in 2004, because Clark was still in the hospital, suffering a mild stroke. The doctors said he was expected to come back after recovering from a stroke, but he was not well enough to host the show.
Underwent hip replacement surgery on December 1, 2009.
Underwent surgery to remove a blood clot in his leg, which was formed after his hip replacement surgery in December, on May 18, 2010.
The first guest on his show, "That Regis Philbin Show" in 1961 on KGTV in San Diego, was Jack Kemp , the quarterback of the new San Diego Chargers football team.
His favorite idol, when he was growing up, was Mickey Rooney.
Friends with: Bob Barker , Bob Eubanks , Alex Trebek , Geoff Edwards , Wink Martindale , Chuck Woolery , Pat Sajak , Dick Clark , Gene Rayburn , Betty White , Gene Siskel , Roger Ebert , David Letterman , Joan Rivers , Larry Hagman , Martin Short , Mickey Rooney , Phil McGraw , Donald J. Trump , Judy Sheindlin , Mike Wallace , Bob Hope , Frank Sinatra , Sammy Davis Jr. , Dean Martin , Joey Bishop , Oprah Winfrey , Robin Leach , Ed McMahon , Meredith Vieira and Monty Hall.
Mentor and friends with Kathie Lee Gifford and Kelly Ripa.
Best known by the public as the host of "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" .
His middle name Xavier came from the Jesuit Saint Francis Xavier.
Attended the 90th birthday of his idol Mickey Rooney on September 23, 2010. Among the many guests are: Donald J. Trump and Liza Minnelli.
Though Philbin had a brother, he was thought to be an only child since there were two decades of time between the two. Frank M. Philbin passed away in 2007 from Non-Hodgekins Lymphoma.
Before he was a successful talk and a game show host, he used to work with Gene Rayburn as a page on "Tonight Starring Jack Paar" .
Met Kathie Lee Gifford on a talk show in 1985.
Auditioned for the voice role of the Beast in Disneys Beauty and the Beast , which went to Robby Benson.
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on April 10, 2003.
(April 2006) Inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Television Hall of Fame.
(June 2008) Received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmy Awards.
Ranked #15 on Lifes 15 Best Game Show Hosts.
Ranked #6 as GSNs Top 10 Game Show Hosts of All Time.
Like game show hosts, Bob Barker , Bill Cullen and Wink Martindale , Philbin was known to be a very busy television personality.
Has not spoken to Kelly Ripa , since his departure on "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" , but has defended her, all because of the drama that was going on backstage of her show.
After his hosting role on "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" , he retired from his hosting duties at age 80. As of 2011, he was the longest-serving host on that show.
Had once kissed his former co-host, Kathie Lee Gifford , on the lips. This marked the first time ever since his partner left "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" in 16 years, though, they still remain on good terms [2016].
Shares the same birthday with Monty Hall , whos a decade Philbins senior.
As of 2016, he was reunited with both of his former co-hosts: Kathie Lee Gifford and Kelly Ripa.
Was one of the guests at Melissa Rivers s (Joan Rivers s daughters) wedding.
Lifelong friends with Joan Rivers. Philbin attended her funeral, when the comedienne passed away on September 7, 2014.
Mentioned (along with Kathie Lee Gifford) in Kanye Wests "Jesus Walks".
I would do the morning show and then just walk over to the network side of the building here at ABC in New York and sit down and start it up again and introduce the 10 contestants, and then introduce the 10 - the fastest finger question, and pick one of them, put them in the seat before you finally got to asking them the questions.
