Famed TV host Regis Philbin's cause of death has been revealed. The Chief Medical Examiner Office in Connecticut confirmed on Monday to Fox News that he had "died of heart disease (natural)." He was 88.
Philbin's family announced his death on Saturday, stating that he had died of natural causes on Friday night, just over a month before his 89th birthday.
"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," the family said in a statement. "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's career started at the bottom but the determined TV personality worked his way to the top, eventually landing gigs as a co-host on "Live!" and host on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."
Philbin grew up in the Bronx and attended Notre Dame University before joining the Navy, which he left in 1955 to pursue a career in TV. His first job was parking cars at KCOP-TV in Los Angeles. He also worked as stagehand, courier, newswriter and producer of a sports telecast.
Philbin went on to work on several shows before landing his job on "Live!" He co-hosted alongside Kathie Lee Gifford on "Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee" from 1985 to 2000 and Kelly Ripa on "Live! With Regis and Kelly" from 2001 until his 2011 retirement. He also hosted "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" from 1999 to 2002.
Philbin is survived by his wife, Joy, and their daughters J.J. and Joanna Philbin, as well as his daughter Amy Philbin with his first wife, Catherine Faylen, according to People.
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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