Philbin’s old friends were quick to express their grief at his passing. “There are no words to fully express the love I have for my precious friend, Regis,” said former co-host of Live with Regis and Kathie Lee Kathie Lee Gifford on Instagram, “I simply adored him and every day with him was a gift.”

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Kelly Ripa, current host of the same show, now titled Live with Kelly and Ryan, shared her condolences as well. “He was the ultimate class act, bringing his laughter and joy into our homes everyday on Live for more than 23 years. We were beyond lucky to have him as a mentor in our careers and aspire everyday to fill his shoes on the show,” she shared on Instagram.

As a seasoned television veteran, Philbin’s legacy has long been cemented in the pantheon of show business. From talk shows to game shows to variety shows and every obscure guest spot he could wrangle, the name Regis Philbin likely means something to everyone even to this day.

Aside from his stint on Live, Philbin is arguably most well known for his run as the original host of the American version of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? His unique energy and rapport with every contestant were likely substantial contributors to the game show’s success, kicking off a run of 20 years and counting.

But his mark in the world of television was left long before that first multiple choice question was asked. Even his big break on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee only began in 1988, when the show achieved national syndication. He had been on the show since 1982 when it was simply The Morning Show on local New York station WABC-TV.

Before any of that, he began as a page for The Tonight Show in 1955, followed by several decades jumping between various talk shows as host, co-host, sidekick, and anything in between. He even briefly had his own talk show, The Regis Philbin Show, in 1961. It wasn’t until later that decade, though, that he would finally begin breaking into the mainstream. Earning his first widespread exposure on The Joey Bishop Show in 1967, Philbin starred as Bishop’s sidekick, sharing banter and barbs like a pro. That air of laid back professionalism would remain consistent for his entire career.

Boasting a career spanning over half a century, it’s no wonder the legacy of Regis Philbin has affected so many. Whether they remember him from Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? or The Joey Bishop Show or anything in between, almost everyone has a story they’ll never forget, and that’s one impressive legacy.

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Source: People