Top News

Kathie Lee Gifford’s Sweetest Quotes About Regis Philbin Before His Death

Lakshmi

Kathie Lee Gifford’s Sweetest Quotes About Former ‘Live’ Cohost Regis Philbin Ahead of His Death

A wonderful television pairing. Kathie Lee Gifford and Regis Philbin shared a unique bond after 15 years as broadcasting partners.

“Kathie Lee, you want to know the best part of my life, my TV life, was the 15 years I spent with you from 1985 to 2000,” Philbin stated during a surprise guest on the Today show in April 2019 prior to Gifford’s retirement. “We remained friends throughout the entire game, and we had a great time.

Since I’ve seen the first one of your films, I am confident that you will be a huge success in your new career as a filmmaker. I truly intend it.”

Previous editions of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Gifford cohosted Live With Regis and Kathie Lee (formerly The Morning Show) from 1985 to 2000 when she made the decision to depart the long-running ABC series. The author of It’s Never Too Late eventually became a co-host of the Today show with Hoda Kotb.

As for Philbin, he continued to host Live alongside his new cohost Kelly Ripa. After the Connecticut native’s retirement in 2011, the former All My Children host continues to co-host the morning talk program with Michael Strahan from 2012 to 2016 and Ryan Seacrest beginning in 2017.

Despite competing TV programs, Philbin and Gifford remained friendly, and after Philbin left Live, Gifford made frequent cameos on Today.

Us Weekly verified that Philbin passed away at the age of 88, about a decade after his TV retirement.

“We are profoundly heartbroken to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night from natural causes, one month shy of his 89th birthday,” his family wrote in a statement released in July 2020. “His family and friends will be eternally thankful for the time we were able to spend with him – for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his unique ability to make every day worth talking about.

We thank his friends and admirers for their tremendous support during his six-decade career and request privacy as we grieve his passing.”

Kathie Lee Gifford’s Sweetest Quotes About Former ‘Live’ Cohost Regis Philbin Ahead of His Death

Gifford, on the other hand, has now spoken openly about the loss of her dear companion.

“There are no adequate words to express the affection I have for my dear buddy Regis,” the native of France posted on Instagram upon his passing. “I simply adored him, and each day spent with him was a blessing. We spent 15 years together joking, arguing, and laughing ourselves silly – a habit and a friendship that continues to this day.

She continued, “I smile knowing that he is currently making someone laugh in Heaven.” It gives me tremendous solace to know that he had a personal relationship with God that offered him immense peace.

April 2019

During her final episode of the Today show, Philbin gave the A Godwink Christmas actress a surprise video greeting in which he called her a “fantastic” person with whom he shared many fond memories.

Gifford was moved to tears by the late broadcaster’s message, in which he mentioned that he and his wife Joy Philbin were planning to visit her in Greenwich, Connecticut.

July 2020

“No one has ever been quite like him. There will never be another Regis,” Gifford posted on Instagram shortly after Regis’s death was confirmed.

July 2020

Gifford disclosed during an interview Today that she had seen Regis two weeks before his passing.

“After they left [my house in Tennessee], I wondered, ‘Lord, is this the last time I’ll see my friend?’ I could sense he was failing, she stated at the time. “I then called, as expected. The other day, while I was in Tennessee, something told me, “Get on a plane and fly home.” Take an aircraft,’ I did not understand why, but I had learned to pay attention to that voice. I boarded the plane, returned home, and soon learned of Regis’s passing.

The Then Came You actor said, “I immediately called Joy and spoke with her. I drove to her house yesterday with a large vat of Frutti di mare and every bottle of gift wine I had to give to her and the girls. They were going through photographs in their living room. There were literally thousands of images. We simply remembered for a while.”

Kathie Lee Gifford’s Sweetest Quotes About Former ‘Live’ Cohost Regis Philbin Ahead of His Death

September 2020

During an interview on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, the actress reflected, “Every day was wonderful with Regis.” “He was extraordinarily large. No one ever refers to oneself by name. He would announce his presence upon entering any space, whether it was a large auditorium or just him and I going to lunch.

She continued, “Reg was always the life of the party. He wanted everyone to be happy. I believe this is why he was ultimately prepared to leave this planet. He was unable to go anywhere and remain Regis. He could no longer make people happy.”

September 2022

When Ripa joined Live, she claimed in her October-published collection of essays, Live Wire, that there was a severe power struggle with Regis. Gifford, on the other hand, held pleasant recollections of Regis and hoped that the former soap star’s claims were not accurate.

“I know exactly what Regis meant to me,” she told Fox News Rosanna Scotto. “For fifteen years, he was the best business partner I could ever have. However, he was my friend. We were close friends, and after I left the show, we grew closer over the next two decades. Dearer pals.”

READ ALSO