NEW YORK – Legendary television host Regis Philbin has died.
According to PEOPLE Magazine, Philbin passed away Friday night of natural causes.
The news of Philbin’s death comes one-month shy of 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,” a statement from his family read. “We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss,” the Philbin family says.”
In 1988, Philbin began his iconic career as the host of Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee alongside Kathie Lee Gifford.
Philbin also served as the original host of the widely popular game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? from 1999 to 2002.
PEOPLE says throughout his career, Philbin had various health issues. The host underwent an angioplasty in 1993, followed by triple bypass surgery due to plaque in his arteries in March 2007. Additionally, in December 2009, the television personality had his hip replaced.
Philbin is survived by daughters J.J. Philbin and Joanna Philbin, Amy Philbin. His son Daniel Philbin died in 2014.
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