Kathie Lee Gifford Pays Tribute To Regis Philbin On His 91st Birthday

Thursday would have been the 91st birthday of the legendary television personality Regis Philbin, who tragically died two years ago at the age of 88. To mark this solemn occasion, his former daytime talk show co-host Kathie Lee Gifford took to social media to pay tribute to him. 

‘I Miss Regis Every Day’

“I miss Regis every day,” Gifford captioned a photo of herself laughing at Philbin as he did something silly. “But this is a particularly difficult day as we remember this amazing man who would have been 91.”

“Sending love to Joy and the rest of their family as they celebrate an extraordinary man and life,” she added, referring to Philbin’s widow Joy, to whom he was married for fifty years.

Related: Right Before Regis Died, Kathie Lee Got A Divine Sign To Head Back East

Social Media Users Respond

Fox News reported that social media users responded with their own touching tributes to Philbin.

“He brought a lot of joy into homes so many mornings,” one user wrote, with another adding, “great pic! your energies together are pure magic.” 

“So many of my childhood early morning memories are of getting ready for school with you and Regis in the background,” commented another person. “I can still hear his distinct famous voice, and your laugh after he said something funny. I miss watching you two together. I still can’t believe he’s gone. But not forgotten.”

Philbin tragically passed away in July of 2020. 

“We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night of natural causes, one month shy of his 89th birthday,” his family said in a statement at the time.

“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,” they added. “We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss.”

Related: Kathie Lee Gifford’s New Christian Movie Is Her ‘Dream Job’ – ‘Nobody’s Ever Seen The Bible This Way’

Gifford Honors ‘Precious Friend’ Philbin

After Philbin’s death, Gifford honored her “precious friend” who she spent twelve years hosting a morning talk show with. 

“There are no words to fully express the love I have for my precious friend, Regis,” Gifford wrote on Instagram. “I simply adored him and every day with him was a gift. We spent 15 years together bantering and bickering and laughing ourselves silly—a tradition and a friendship we shared up to this very day.”

“I smile knowing somewhere in Heaven, at this very moment, he’s making someone laugh,” she added. “It brings me great comfort knowing that he had a personal relationship with his Lord that brought him great peace.” 

Gifford concluded by saying, “I send all the love in my heart to Joy, to his children, to the rest of his family and to the innumerable people he touched over his legendary life. There has never been anyone like him. And there never will be.”

Watch Gifford talk more about Philbin in the video below.

Philbin was a true legend who held the Guinness Book of World Records title for the most hours spent on television. God bless Gifford for continuing to remember and honor this true icon.