Regis Philbin

Regis Francis Xavier Philbin (born August 25, 1931), is an experienced American talk show host whose career has included stints as a game show host and all-purpose television personality. Regis' nicknames include Reege or Reeg, and Big Daddy http://www.pr.com/article/1020.

Biography

Early life and career

Philbin was named after his father's alma mater, a Manhattan Jesuit high school, and grew up as an only child in an Irish/Italian household in the Van Nest/Morris Park section of the Bronx. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1953, served in the Navy, then went through a few behind-the-scenes jobs in television and radio before moving into broadcasting.

Related Topics:
Alma mater - Manhattan - Jesuit - Bronx - Notre Dame - 1953 - Navy

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His first talk show was The Regis Philbin Show, on KGTV in San Diego, California. For budgetary reasons he had no writing staff, leading him to begin each show with what has become his hallmark, the "host chat" segment, where he engages his audience (and later on, his cohost) in discussions about his life and the events of the day.

Related Topics:
KGTV - San Diego, California

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Philbin gained his first national exposure in 1967 as Joey Bishop's sidekick on The Joey Bishop Show (1967-1969). Bishop liked to tease Philbin, but the teasing stopped after Philbin walked off the set during a live broadcast, and stayed away for several days.

Related Topics:
1967 - Joey Bishop - Sidekick - 1969

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Talk and game show success

He continued in several hosting and other television roles; by 1983 he joined Cyndy Garvey on The Morning Show on WABC-TV in New York City. The show became a hit after Garvey was replaced by Kathie Lee Gifford in 1985; it became nationally syndicated in 1988 as Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.

Related Topics:
1983 - Cyndy Garvey - WABC-TV - New York City - Kathie Lee Gifford - 1985 - Syndicated - 1988 - Live with Regis and Kathie Lee

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When Gifford departed in 2000, the show was named Live with Regis. Philbin would always have a guest co-host until an official replacement was found. It should be noted that officially as a solo talk show host, Philbin won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host, in 2001. This marks the only time that Philbin would receive such an award (thus far), with or without a cohost.

Related Topics:
2000 - Daytime Emmy Award - 2001

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When Kelly Ripa was chosen as the permanent co-host in 2001, the show was renamed Live with Regis and Kelly. Philbin's and Ripa's chemistry has been proven successful, as the show continues today and enjoys high ratings.

Related Topics:
Kelly Ripa - 2001 - Live with Regis and Kelly

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Philbin set a Guinness World Record on his August 20 2004 show, which gave him a total of 15,188 hours on television. The previous record holder for Most Hours on Camera was Hugh Downs.

Related Topics:
Guinness World Record - August 20 - 2004 - Hugh Downs

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In July 2005, rumors circulated that Philbin was fired from his talk show on the cover of The National Enquirer because he was asked to be let out of his contract. There is currently no word on a firing or a possible retirement.

Related Topics:
July 2005 - The National Enquirer

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Philbin was also host of the U.S. network version of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and the special Who Wants to Be a Super Millionaire? series. His popularity was cemented with that show (see Regis Philbin in Popular Culture). He also won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Game Show Host in 2001.

Related Topics:
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - Who Wants to Be a Super Millionaire? - Regis Philbin in Popular Culture

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Notable appearances on other shows

Philbin makes regular guest appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman where he gives David Letterman no great help in controlling the show, being at the same time his usual urbane self and the "guest from hell" (being a fellow TV host), as they show a heartfelt respect for each other.

Related Topics:
The Late Show with David Letterman - David Letterman

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On December 31 2004, Philbin filled in for Dick Clark on ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve, as Clark was recovering from a minor stroke. Philbin said he interrupted his vacation to perform his hosting duties.

Related Topics:
December 31 - 2004 - Dick Clark - ABC - Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve - Stroke

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Other notable television appearances include:

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• Host, The Apprentice 2 finale (December 16, 2004)
• Co-host (with Kelly Ripa), Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade (2002- )

Written and musical works

In addition to being a television personality, Philbin is also an author and a singer, drawing on the success of his talk show.

Related Topics:
Television personality - Author - Singer

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Philbin's two autobiographies (with co-author Bill Zehme), I'm Only One Man! (1995) and Who Wants To Be Me? (2000), are written in the style of his host chats: conversational and anecdotal. The former follows a year (1994-1995) in his life, recalling, among other things: his personal life, his memories with celebrities, and work on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee. The latter is a response to the success of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and deals with more antics about the show and his life.

Related Topics:
Bill Zehme - 1995 - 2000 - 1994

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As for his musical career, Philbin tested the musical waters with his 1968 pop vocal release, It's Time For Regis! After receiving poor reviews, Philbin was reluctant to record another studio album. But he occasionally sang on Live, usually in a duet with another person. After 36 years, he recorded When You're Smiling (2004), a more mature-sounding pop standards album. Philbin is currently working on a third musical album: a Christmas album.

Related Topics:
1968 - 2004 - Pop standards - Christmas album

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Personal life

Philbin has been married twice and has four children. He was married to Kay Faylan from 1955 to 1968, and remarried to interior designer Joy Senese in 1970. His children are Amy, Daniel (both with Kay), Joanna, and Jennifer ("J.J.") (both with Joy). Joy Philbin occasionally cohosts with Regis.

Related Topics:
1955 - 1968 - Joy Senese - 1970

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Using the talk show as his vehicle, Philbin is candid about his personal life. He is an avid fan of the New York Yankees and a proud supporter of his alma mater, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Related Topics:
New York Yankees - Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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