Regis Philbin, the genial host who shared his life with television viewers over morning coffee for decades and helped himself and some fans strike it rich with the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” has died.
Regis Philbin, a familiar face to TV viewers as an energetic and funny talk and game show host who logged more hours in front of the camera than anyone else in the history of US television, has died aged 88, People magazine said on Saturday, citing a statement by his family.
He was known for his rough edges, funny anecdotes, self-deprecating humor and a Bronx accent that was once described as sounding"like a racetrack announcer with a head cold." American comedian and late-night host David Letterman, a long-time friend, called Philbin the funniest man on television. In 2011, as Philbin was ending his run as co-host of the popular"Live! With Regis and Kelly" at age 80, the New York Times wrote:"In a daytime landscape filled with bland, polished hosts and smarmy good cheer, Mr. Philbin was crumpled, nasal and histrionic. He was a snaggletooth amid cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers."Guinness World Records listed him as having put in more time on camera than anyone else in the history of U.S. television - about 17,000 hours.
After two co-hosts came and went, singer Gifford joined him in a highly successful collaboration in 1985, and in 1988 the program gained national syndication. Gifford remained his co-host for 15 years before Philbin was partnered with perky former soap opera actress Ripa for 11 years. Ripa remained as host of the show after Philbin departed.In 2001, he won a Daytime Emmy as outstanding talk show host and another Emmy for outstanding game show host for “"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Philbin wrote books including"How I Got This Way,""I'm Only One Man!" and"Who Wants To Be Me?" and also was a singer.
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