Regis Philbin has received an Emmy lifetime achievement award for his 50 years of entertainment on television. Regis has been a staple in an industry that is famous for chewing up and spitting out performers. His personality is a lovable mix of charm, crustiness and an entertaining sense of humor.
He is a New Yorker by birth. He moved out to California for a long period of time for his career where he built many relationships in show business as well. He moved back to New York and continued performing on television with his Live with Regis Show (and Kathie Lee Gifford and now Kelly Ripa). He has been the host of many shows including several game shows where he is popular with his viewers.
Over the years we have watched his family grow up as with with his daughter JJ and Joanna. We’ve seen less of his two children from his first marriage…Amy and Danny. Now we are getting to see snippets of his new grandson. Regis’ second wife Joy is a talented woman in her own right. She has often filled in as a guest host on his shows as well as performed with him in his live performances singing duets with Regis. He has also authored two books about his life and career.
When Regis had surgery a year and a half ago to clear out blocked arteries the country was very responsive to his absence and his subsequent return to the show. It was inspiring to see how many lives he touched by listening to all of his well wishers who called in and faxed the show not to mention all of the celebrity well wishers.
Regis has been able to inspire strong relationships with his co-hosts over the years and the age differences never really seem to put up any barriers to the humorous banter that goes back and forth. The love and mutual respect comes across from each of his former co-hosts; they are loyal to each other and sincere in their appreciation of his talents. That is a testament to his genuiness as a person.
At heart, Regis is a humble person who jokingly refers to himself in third person quite often with statements such as; Regis is here! He endears himself to our hearts with all of his travel mishaps and weather bad luck. He jokes about how bad luck things always happen to him….he is “everyman” as he has referred to himself over the years. This is his true skill…his ability to connect himself on multiple levels to high powered celebrities or the common man.
We are proud of you Regis and all that you have accomplished over the years. Even though I know he wont read this as he claims that he is computer illiterate! It is hard to imagine a future time without Regis; morning television will never be the same without him. Kelly Ripa calls Regis the hardest working man on television. Regis never really seems content to just sit back and enjoy his success. Let’s hope with all of the industry recognition over the last few years he can find a little time to rest up and put his energy into giving us another 50 years of entertainment. http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/regisandkelly/index.html
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