Pub GuidePhilbin, Regis
The Irish Americans
Regis Philbin gained popularity as Joey Bishop’s sidekick on the 1960’s talk show "The Joey Bishop Show," but has since gone on to be the leading man on plenty of primetime TV.
A New York native and University of Notre Dame graduate born to an Irish-American Catholic family, Philbin next hosted "A.M. Los Angeles," bringing the show to number one locally, and "The Regis Philbin Show," which won an Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Variety Series.
In 1988, he paired up with Kathie Lee Gifford to host "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee." In 1999, Philbin began his famous recitation of the phrase, “Is that your final answer?” as the host of ABC’s "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"
In 2001, he teamed up with Kelly Ripa for the show "Live with Regis and Kelly," and in 2006 returned to primetime with the hit program America’s Got Talent. Philbin earned a TV Guide Award for Personality of the Year in 2001, as well as a Broadcasting & Cable Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a 2006 inductee into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame as well as the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.
Philbin is married to Joy, and they have two adult daughters, Joanna and Jennifer.
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