Regis Philbin Says Good Morning to America For Last Time
Regis Philbin has finally said goodbye to the television cameras and the American audience after more than 50 years in show business.
Today was Regis' last day as co-host of "Live! with Regis and Kelly," after 28 years of waking America up.
The 80-year-old has spent over 17,000 hours on television placing him in the Guinness Book of World Records, and in his tenure has interviewed every celebrity imaginable.
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"I can't take any more surprises," Regis told Michael Gelman, his executive producer
off-screen, reported The Associated Press.
The final show featured many guest appearances including New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg. Also Selena Gomez, Justin Timberlake, and Anne Hathaway expressed their feelings toward Regis in a prerecorded message. Meanwhile Kathie Lee Gifford, Philbin's previous co-host, Donald Trump, and Tony Danza supported Regis by sitting in the crowd.
Regis told the audience of his initial plan for the show and said, "I wanted this to be a show where people would feel better about themselves, to look at life in a different way, a funnier way."
Philbin got his start in television in the 50s working as a page for the "The Tonight Show," and later joined a Los Angeles talk show as a writer and one time host.
In 1962 he became the announcer for "The Tonight Show."
The TV personality moved to New York City in 1982 and joined "The Morning Show" as co-host. In 1983 he was given his own show, which struggled with ratings until Kathie Lee Gifford joined him in 1985. Just three years later the duo became so successful that ABC syndicated the show.
Gifford left the show in 2000 as Regis went solo with guest hosts until Kelly Ripa joined him in 2001.
Philbin is also known for his game show work on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," "Million Dollar Password," and "America's Got Talent."
He has done guest spots on TV shows as well including, "Spin City," "How I meet Your Mother," "Seinfeld," and "The Fresh Prince of Bell Air."
Regis also has recorded three albums.
