Regis Philbin

Regis Philbin, born on August 25, 1931, in New York City, was a multifaceted American television presenter, comedian, actor, and singer. Known for his relentless work ethic, he earned the title of 'the hardest-working man in show business' and even held the Guinness World Record for the most hours spent on US television.

After completing his education at the University of Notre Dame, Philbin served in the US Navy before embarking on his television career as a page for The Tonight Show in the 1950s. His big break came in 1967 when he became the sidekick to Joey Bishop on The Joey Bishop Show, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey in the entertainment industry.

Philbin is perhaps best recognized for co-hosting the nationally syndicated talk show Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, which premiered in 1988. The show later evolved into Live! with Regis and Kelly in 2001 and continued as Live! with Kelly after his departure in 2011. Additionally, he gained fame as the original host of the American version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which became the most-watched prime-time series during the 1999-2000 television season.

His impressive career also included hosting Million Dollar Password and the inaugural season of America's Got Talent. Regis Philbin passed away on July 25, 2020, in Greenwich, Connecticut, at the age of eighty-eight due to natural causes related to coronary artery disease.