Legendary TV host Regis Philbin dead at 88

Regis Philbin, a longtime television host, has died. He was 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 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.”

Philbin helmed myriad talk and game shows; getting his start in 1961 in San Diego.

He later moved back to New York and in 1988 began his longtime run hosting “Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee” with Kathie Lee Gifford. After Gifford left, Philbin continued hosting the show with Kelly Ripa, renaming it “Live! with Regis and Kelly” in 2001. Philbin left the show in 2011.

Philbin was also the original host of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” from 1999 to 2002.

He received Daytime Emmy Awards in 2001 and 2011. He was a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2008.

Cox Media Group