Longtime television host Regis Philbin has died at the age of 88.
“We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night of natural causes, one month shy of his 89th birthday,” his family told People Magazine in a statement on Saturday.
“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,” the Philbin family added.
Philbin was born in 1931 and raised in the Bronx borough of New York City. He earned a sociology degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1953 and later served in the Navy.
Philbin began his television career in 1988 when he was named the host of Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee alongside Kathie Lee Gifford. In 2001, the show became Live! with Regis and Kelly, co-starring Kelly Ripa before he left in 2011. He was also the original host of the hit television show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
