Regis Philbin was a renowned American television personality known for his long and illustrious career spanning several decades. He was a multi-talented entertainer who served as a presenter, talk show host, game show host, comedian, actor, and singer. His relentless work ethic earned him the title of "the hardest-working man in show business" and a Guinness World Record for the most hours on US television.
August 25, 1931: Regis Philbin is Born
On August 25, 1931, Regis Philbin was born in Manhattan, New York City.
March 1, 1951: Birth of Regis Philbin's Brother, Frank
Frank Philbin, Regis Philbin's younger brother, was born on March 1, 1951.
1953: Graduation from Notre Dame
Regis Philbin graduated from Notre Dame in 1953.
1953: Graduation from Notre Dame
Regis Philbin graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1953 with a degree in sociology.
1955: Marriage to Catherine Faylen
Regis Philbin married Catherine Faylen, the daughter of actor Frank Faylen, in 1955.
1955: Early Career Beginnings
Regis Philbin's early career in show business included working as a page on "The Tonight Show" in 1955.
1957: Return to New York City
Regis Philbin returned to New York City in 1957 after working in Los Angeles.
1961: Birth of Daughter Amy
Regis Philbin and Catherine Faylen welcomed their daughter, Amy, in 1961.
1961: "The Regis Philbin Show" in San Diego
Regis Philbin hosted his first talk show, "The Regis Philbin Show," in 1961 on KOGO-TV in San Diego.
1962: Announcer on "The Tonight Show"
Regis Philbin served as an announcer on "The Tonight Show" in 1962.
1964: National Syndication and Cancellation
In 1964, Westinghouse Broadcasting picked up "The Regis Philbin Show" for national syndication, but it was short-lived due to low ratings.
1964: "That Regis Philbin Show"
Regis Philbin hosted "That Regis Philbin Show" in 1964 for Westinghouse Broadcasting, replacing "The Steve Allen Show," but it faced low ratings and was canceled after a few months.
1965: Replacement by Merv Griffin
Westinghouse Broadcasting replaced Regis Philbin with Merv Griffin in 1965 after the cancellation of "The Regis Philbin Show."
1967: Return to National Television
Regis Philbin returned to national television in 1967 as Joey Bishop's sidekick on "The Joey Bishop Show."
1967: The Joey Bishop Show
Regis Philbin made his national television debut in 1967 as Joey Bishop's sidekick on "The Joey Bishop Show."
1967: Birth of Son Daniel
Regis Philbin and Catherine Faylen welcomed their son, Daniel, in 1967.
March 18, 1968: "The Challenge" Episode of "The Big Valley" Featuring Regis Philbin
The episode "The Challenge" from the TV series "The Big Valley," featuring Regis Philbin, first aired on March 18, 1968.
1968: Staged Walk-Off
In 1968, Regis Philbin staged a walk-off on "The Joey Bishop Show" as a publicity stunt, which he later admitted to in his books.
1968: Divorce from Catherine Faylen
Regis Philbin and Catherine Faylen divorced in 1968.
1968: Release of Debut Album "It's Time For Regis!"
Regis Philbin, a fan of crooners like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, ventured into music with his debut pop vocal album, "It's Time For Regis!", in 1968. The album received negative reviews.
1969: End of "The Joey Bishop Show"
"The Joey Bishop Show" came to an end in 1969.
1970: Regis Philbin Appears in "The Silent Force" and "That Girl"
In 1970, Regis Philbin made appearances in episodes of the television shows "The Silent Force" and "That Girl."
1970: Marriage to Joy Senese
Regis Philbin married interior decorator Joy Senese in 1970.
1973: Birth of Daughter Joanna
Regis Philbin and Joy Senese welcomed their daughter, Joanna, in 1973.
1973: Construction of the World Trade Center is Completed
The World Trade Center was completed in 1973, its iconic twin towers later tragically destroyed in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks.
1974: Birth of Daughter J.J.
Regis Philbin and Joy Senese welcomed their daughter, J.J., in 1974.
1975: Co-Host of "A.M. Los Angeles"
Regis Philbin began co-hosting "A.M. Los Angeles," a local morning talk show on KABC-TV, in 1975.
1975: Regis Philbin Hosts "The Neighbors"
From late 1975 to early 1976, Regis Philbin hosted a short-lived game show on ABC called "The Neighbors."
1976: Regis Philbin as "Field Reporter" on "Almost Anything Goes"
In 1976, Regis Philbin worked as a "field reporter" for "Almost Anything Goes," an American adaptation of the British game show "It's a Knockout."
1978: Co-Host Change on "A.M. Los Angeles"
Cyndy Garvey replaced Sarah Purcell as Regis Philbin's co-host on "A.M. Los Angeles" in 1978.
1978: "The Great 1960s Quiz" Book
The book "The Great 1960s Quiz," published in 1978, referred to Regis Philbin as Joey Bishop's sidekick.
November 30, 1981: "The Regis Philbin Show" on NBC
Regis Philbin and Mary Hart began co-hosting "The Regis Philbin Show," a national morning variety series for NBC, on November 30, 1981.
1981: Departure from "A.M. Los Angeles"
Regis Philbin departed from "A.M. Los Angeles" in 1981.
April 9, 1982: Cancellation of "The Regis Philbin Show"
"The Regis Philbin Show" on NBC was canceled and aired its last episode on April 9, 1982, after an unsuccessful run.
1982: Garvey Moves to New York City
Cyndy Garvey relocated to New York City in 1982.
April 4, 1983: Reunion with Garvey on "The Morning Show"
Regis Philbin reunited with Cyndy Garvey in New York City to co-host "The Morning Show" on WABC-TV, starting on April 4, 1983.
March 1984: Opening of Philbin Ford Dealership
As a side investment during his television career, Regis Philbin opened Philbin Ford, a Ford dealership, in Gilbert, Arizona, in March 1984.
June 1985: Kathie Lee Johnson Joins "The Morning Show"
Following Garvey's departure and a brief period with Ann Abernathy, Kathie Lee Johnson (later Gifford) joined Regis Philbin as co-host of "The Morning Show" in June 1985, leading to a significant improvement in ratings.
September 5, 1988: National Syndication as "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee"
"The Morning Show" achieved national syndication on September 5, 1988, as "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee."
1988: Closure of Philbin Ford Dealership
Due to the competitive auto market, Regis Philbin's dealership, Philbin Ford, faced difficulties and closed in late 1988.
1988: Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee
In 1988, "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee" premiered, a nationally syndicated talk show co-hosted by Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford.
1988: Hosting Stints on Cable Health Network and Lifetime
Between 1982 and 1988, Regis Philbin hosted shows like "Health Styles" and "Lifestyles with Regis Philbin" on the Cable Health Network (later Lifetime).
1991: "Live!" Replaces "A.M. Los Angeles"
Following the cancellation of "A.M. Los Angeles" in 1991, "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee" took over its time slot on most ABC owned-and-operated stations.
1991: Regis Philbin Appears at WrestleMania VII
Regis Philbin made a celebrity guest appearance at WrestleMania VII in Los Angeles in 1991, providing commentary for the main event match between Hulk Hogan and Sgt. Slaughter.
1993: Angioplasty Procedure
Regis Philbin underwent an angioplasty procedure in 1993.
1995: "I'm Only One Man!" Memoir
Regis Philbin released his memoir, "I'm Only One Man!," in 1995, where he discussed his career, including the staged walk-off on "The Joey Bishop Show."
1995: Release of Autobiography "I'm Only One Man!"
Regis Philbin's first autobiography, "I'm Only One Man!", co-written with Bill Zehme, was published in 1995. The book chronicles a year in his life, his encounters with celebrities, and his work on "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee."
1998: Regis Philbin Voices Typhon in "Hercules"
In 1998, Regis Philbin lent his voice to the character of Typhon in Disney's animated film "Hercules." Kathie Lee Gifford, his frequent co-host, voiced Typhon's mate, Echidna.
1999: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Regis Philbin became the original host of the American version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." in 1999.
1999: US Version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" Premieres with Regis Philbin
The US version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" premiered in 1999 with Regis Philbin as the host, becoming a huge ratings success.
December 25, 2000: Regis Philbin Appears on "2 Minute Drill"
On December 25, 2000, Regis Philbin appeared as a panelist on the first season championship game of the ESPN game show "2 Minute Drill."
2000: Kathie Lee Gifford departs Live!
After Kathie Lee Gifford departed Live! in 2000, the show was temporarily named Live! with Regis, with Philbin hosting alongside a series of guest co-hosts.
2000: Release of Autobiography "Who Wants To Be Me?"
In 2000, Regis Philbin released his second autobiography, "Who Wants To Be Me?", also co-written with Bill Zehme, as a response to the success of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."
2000: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Dominates Ratings
The 1999-2000 television season saw "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," hosted by Regis Philbin, become the most-watched prime-time series.
February 2001: Kelly Ripa becomes co-host of Live!
In February 2001, Kelly Ripa was chosen as the permanent co-host of Live! with Regis, and the show was renamed Live! with Regis and Kelly.
2001: Live! with Regis and Kelly Begins
After Kathie Lee Gifford's departure, the show was renamed "Live! with Regis and Kelly" in 2001, with Kelly Ripa joining as co-host.
2001: Regis Philbin Wins Daytime Emmy for "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"
Regis Philbin's hosting on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" earned him a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host in 2001.
October 2002: Notre Dame Campus Tour with Larry King
In October 2002, Regis Philbin invited Larry King, who had never been to Notre Dame Stadium, for a tour of the university's campus, which he considered "the greatest college campus in the world." Tim Russert also joined the tour.
2002: "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" Returns as Syndicated Series
After being canceled by ABC, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" was retooled and returned in 2002 as a syndicated series with Meredith Vieira as host.
February 28, 2004: Regis Philbin Guest Stars in "Lilo & Stitch: The Series"
Regis Philbin made a guest appearance in the episode "Drowsy" of the animated series "Lilo & Stitch: The Series," which aired on February 28, 2004.
August 20, 2004: Regis Philbin Sets Guinness World Record
On August 20, 2004, Regis Philbin set a Guinness World Record for "Most Hours on Camera" on an episode of his show Live!, surpassing the previous record holder Hugh Downs.
December 16, 2004: Regis Philbin Hosts "The Apprentice 2" Finale
Regis Philbin hosted the season finale of "The Apprentice 2" on December 16, 2004.
2004: "Who Wants to Be a Super Millionaire" Premieres with Regis Philbin
ABC brought back "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" in 2004 with Regis Philbin as host, retitling it "Who Wants to Be a Super Millionaire" and airing it on a more limited basis.
2004: Release of Album "When You're Smiling"
In 2004, Regis Philbin recorded and released "When You're Smiling," a traditional pop album.
December 31, 2004: Regis Philbin Fills in for Dick Clark on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve"
On December 31, 2004, Regis Philbin filled in for Dick Clark on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" as Clark was recovering from a stroke.
September 2005: Release of "The Regis Philbin Christmas Album"
Regis Philbin released "The Regis Philbin Christmas Album" in September 2005 through Hollywood Records. The album features duets with notable figures like Donald Trump, Steve Tyrell, and Philbin's wife, Joy.
November 2005: Regis Philbin to Host "This Is Your Life" Revival
In November 2005, ABC announced Regis Philbin as the host for their revival of the show "This Is Your Life."
May 15, 2006: Regis Philbin Appears on "Deal or No Deal" Special
On May 15, 2006, Regis Philbin appeared alongside Howie Mandel as a special guest on a two-hour special episode of the game show "Deal or No Deal" on NBC.
August 2006: Regis Philbin Declines to Renew "This Is Your Life" Contract
In August 2006, Regis Philbin reported that his option on the contract for "This Is Your Life" had lapsed, and he had chosen not to renew it.
November 2006: Regis Philbin Wins on "Celebrity Jeopardy!"
Regis Philbin appeared on "Celebrity Jeopardy!" multiple times, ultimately winning his competition in November 2006 and earning $50,000 for his alma mater, Cardinal Hayes High School.
2006: Regis Philbin Hosts "America's Got Talent"
During the summer of 2006, Regis Philbin hosted the first season of "America's Got Talent," an amateur talent search show on NBC.
January 27, 2007: Passing of Frank Philbin
Frank Philbin, Regis Philbin's brother, died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma on January 27, 2007.
February 2007: Regis Philbin Reveals Brother on "Live!"
Regis Philbin publicly acknowledged his late brother, Frank, for the first time on "Live with Regis and Kelly" in February 2007. He shared that Frank had requested privacy during his lifetime, leading to Regis keeping his existence private.
March 14, 2007: Triple Bypass Surgery
On March 14, 2007, Regis Philbin underwent triple bypass surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center due to arterial plaque buildup.
October 2007: Appearance in Neiman Marcus Christmas Book
Regis Philbin was featured in the 100th anniversary issue of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book in October 2007. He hosted the "Classical Superstars Fantasy Concert," offering a performance by pianist Lola Astanova with Russia's Kirov Orchestra.
November 2007: Regis Philbin Appears on "Celebrity Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"
In November 2007, Regis Philbin appeared as a contestant on "Celebrity Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" playing for his alma mater, Cardinal Hayes High School.
2007: Regis Philbin Named One of the Best Game Show Hosts
In 2007, Time magazine included Regis Philbin in their list of the 15 Best Game Show Hosts in History.
2007: Jerry Springer Replaces Regis Philbin on "America's Got Talent"
Jerry Springer replaced Regis Philbin as host of "America's Got Talent" in 2007 after Philbin experienced health issues and difficulties with the demanding travel schedule.
February 24, 2008: Regis Philbin Hosts Red Carpet Arrivals at the 80th Academy Awards
On February 24, 2008, Regis Philbin hosted the official 30-minute red carpet arrivals for the 80th Academy Awards ceremony.
June 1, 2008: "Million Dollar Password" Premieres with Regis Philbin
Regis Philbin hosted "Million Dollar Password," a revival of the "Password" franchise, which premiered on June 1, 2008.
September 2008: Guest Appearance on "How I Met Your Mother"
Regis Philbin appeared as himself in an episode of the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" in September 2008. In the episode, he participated in a search for the best hamburger in New York City and hosted a fictional game show parodying his previous work.
September 2008: Acquisition of First Cell Phone
Despite his challenges with technology, Regis Philbin got his first cell phone in September 2008.
2008: Regis Philbin Renews Contract with ABC
In 2008, Regis Philbin renewed his contract with ABC, extending his run on Live! with Regis and Kelly through 2011.
May 5, 2009: First Pitch at Marlins Game
Regis Philbin, a supporter of the Florida Marlins, threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Marlins game on May 5, 2009.
June 14, 2009: "Million Dollar Password" Ends its Run
"Million Dollar Password," the game show hosted by Regis Philbin, aired its final episode on June 14, 2009.
August 9, 2009: 10th Anniversary of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"
On August 9, 2009, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" premiered a special edition of the show, commemorating its 10th anniversary, with Regis Philbin as a celebrity contestant.
August 2009: Hosting of "Millionaire" 10th Anniversary Miniseries
Regis Philbin returned to host an eleven-episode miniseries of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" in August 2009, commemorating the American primetime show's 10th anniversary.
November 2009: Regis Philbin Hosts "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"
In November 2009, Regis Philbin returned to host a week of episodes for the syndicated version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."
December 1, 2009: Hip Replacement Surgery
Regis Philbin had hip replacement surgery on December 1, 2009.
December 4, 2009: Guest Host on "Millionaire" with New Rules
Regis Philbin, along with Steve Harvey and John Henson, was named a guest host for the daily syndicated version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" for the 2009–10 season. Philbin's episodes aired from November 30 to December 4, 2009, and introduced new rules to the game show.
December 25, 2009: Christmas Mass Appearance and Interview
On December 25, 2009, Regis Philbin attended Christmas Mass with prominent Catholic figures and gave an interview about the impact of Catholicism on his life.
January 4, 2010: Return to Hosting Duties After Hip Surgery
Regis Philbin resumed his regular hosting duties on January 4, 2010, following his hip replacement surgery.
May 2010: Blood Clot Removal Surgery
In May 2010, Regis Philbin underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from his calf.
June 27, 2010: Regis Philbin Hosts the 37th Daytime Emmy Awards
Regis Philbin hosted the 37th Daytime Emmy Awards on June 27, 2010.
February 2011: Appearance on "Take Two with Phineas and Ferb"
Regis Philbin made a guest appearance on the animated show "Take Two with Phineas and Ferb" in February 2011.
July 3, 2011: Guest Appearance on "The Marriage Ref"
Regis Philbin was a celebrity guest on the comedy show "The Marriage Ref" on July 3, 2011, alongside Tracy Morgan and Susie Essman.
November 18, 2011: Regis Philbin's Final Show on Live!
On November 18, 2011, Regis Philbin hosted his final episode of Live with Regis and Kelly, marking the end of an era for the long-running morning show.
2011: Regis Philbin Departs from "Live!"
In 2011, Regis Philbin left "Live! with Regis and Kelly."
2011: Regis Philbin's contract with ABC set to end
Regis Philbin's contract with ABC, which he signed in 2008, was set to end in 2011.
2011: "How I Got This Way" Memoir
In 2011, Regis Philbin published another memoir, "How I Got This Way," in which he again addressed the staged walk-off on "The Joey Bishop Show."
2011: Release of Memoir "How I Got This Way"
Following his departure from "Live!," Regis Philbin's final memoir, "How I Got This Way," was published by HarperCollins in 2011.
May 29, 2012: Guest Host on "Piers Morgan Tonight"
On May 29, 2012, Regis Philbin served as a guest host on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight" during the show's Guest Host Week. He interviewed his longtime friend and fellow television host, David Letterman.
September 2012: Recurring Co-Host on "Rachael Ray"
Beginning in September 2012, Regis Philbin became an official recurring monthly co-host on the daytime talk show "Rachael Ray."
August 17, 2013: Co-Host of "Crowd Goes Wild"
On August 17, 2013, Regis Philbin started co-hosting "Crowd Goes Wild," a sports panel show on Fox Sports 1, alongside Michael Davies, his producer from "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."
February 2014: Departure from "Crowd Goes Wild"
Regis Philbin announced his departure from the daily sports panel show "Crowd Goes Wild" in February 2014.
January 2015: Guest Host on "The Late Late Show"
Regis Philbin served as a guest host for two episodes of "The Late Late Show" in January 2015.
October 2017: End of Recurring Role on "Rachael Ray"
Regis Philbin's tenure as a recurring co-host on "Rachael Ray" ended in October 2017.
July 25, 2020: Regis Philbin Passes Away
On July 25, 2020, Regis Philbin passed away. He was widely recognized as a prominent figure in American television, known for his long career as a host and entertainer.
2020: Guest Appearance on "Single Parents"
In 2020, Regis Philbin made a cameo appearance as himself in an episode of the ABC sitcom "Single Parents," which was created by his daughter, J.J. Philbin.