Regis Philbin | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

Kathie Lee Gifford is opening up a bit more about her lifelong friendship with Regis Philbin and about his final days.

Speaking on The Talk, the 66-year-old host and actress shared that it appeared to her that Regis was suffering from a form of “depression” because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“He had been depressed in the weeks and months earlier, because of [COVID-19],” she said. “Regis couldn’t perform anywhere, nobody was out and about. He couldn’t be Regis for people, and it broke his heart.”

She added that his wife Joy had told her that “one of his dearest friends had just recently died of COVID, so he was pretty much in a depression…Regis just lived to make people happy. He certainly made me happy for the 35 years that we were great friends.”

“Later after he passed, two weeks later, Joy told me that that was the last time she heard him laugh, was when he was at my house,” Kathie said. “So, that was a sweet gift from God to me that he blessed that friendship even at the very end. There was nobody like him ever, and there will never be another like him, ever.”

Just days after his passing, Kathie opened up about one of the final times she saw Regis. Here’s what she said…

Regis Philbin was laid to rest this week in a private funeral and he was buried on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

The legendary television icon died last Friday at the age of 88 and his cause of death was revealed the other day.

“Regis was laid to rest at his beloved Notre Dame, following a private ceremony on Wednesday,” his family said in a new statement. “Again, our family would like to thank everyone for the incredible love and support you’ve given us and for the hilarious tributes and touching memories you’ve shared.”

Before kicking off his career in TV, Regis was a student at the University of Notre Dame and he graduated with the class of 1953. He remained a massive supporter of the school for the rest of his life.

See how Live! will be paying tribute to Regis.

Regis Philbin tragically passed away at the age of 88 last week and his cause of death has been revealed.

The television legend suffered from myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, E! News has said.

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

Kathie Lee Gifford remembered her former co-star with a statement on his death.

Our continued thoughts are with Regis‘ family.

Live! with Kelly and Ryan is celebrating Regis Philbin‘s life.

The morning talk show has announced that they will be airing an updated presentation of the Regis Farewell Celebration Special on Friday, July 31.

The farewell special which aired on November 18, 2011, celebrated Regis‘ nearly three decades on Live! and featured favorite guests, musical tributes and Regis‘ reflections on his years with the iconic morning program.

Also, throughout this week, Live! is sharing additional memories and favorite moments on the show’s social and digital platforms.

Regis passed away on Friday, July 24 at the age of 88.

Regis first premiered Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee in 1988 with Kathie Lee Gifford. Kelly Ripa then took over for Kathie Lee in 2001. Regis left the show in 2011 and was replaced by Michael Strahan for nearly four years. Ryan Seacrest then joined the show in 2017.

You can read Kelly and Ryan‘s tribute to Regis here.

• Find out where the late Regis Philbin is going to be buried – TMZ
• Aw! See who Selena Gomez is praising – Just Jared Jr
• Gigi Hadid‘s apartment is breathtaking – DListed
• See how Kelly Ripa paid tribute to Regis Philbin – TooFab
• Find out which couple split up – Towleroad
• Sophie Turner‘s baby name is so cute – Just Jared Jr

Kathie Lee Gifford is recalling the final moments she spent with long time friend and co-worker Regis Philbin before his passing over the weekend.

Speaking on The Today Show, the 66-year-old newscaster remembered how Regis and his wife, Joy, came to visit her at her Connecticut home.

“They came over about two weeks ago,” she says. “I saw Reg get out of the car with Joy and I sensed much more fragility than I had seen in him since the last time in January out in Los Angeles.”

The three then spent the day just sitting on the porch and laughing “ourselves sick”.

“We became dear friends through the years since then. Always, always getting together every chance we could and just picking up right where we left off,” Kathie shared. “We just had the best time. After they left I thought to myself, ‘Lord is that the last time I am going to see my friend?’ Because he was failing. I could tell.”

Kathie added about her relationship with Regis, with whom she co-hosted Live! for over fifteen years with.

“… I was just grateful to have the time with them and comfort them a little bit, and let them know that I believe with all my heart I know where Regis is and I know who he is with,” she continued. “I had many conversations with him over the years about faith, and about where we go when this life is over. He was very curious as always, listened.”

Watch her appearance below.

See how other celebrities reacted to the new of Regis‘ death here…

David Letterman is honoring the late Regis Philbin.

The 73-year-old TV personality issued a statement on Twitter on Saturday (July 25) following the sad news of fellow host Regis‘ death on Friday (July 24).

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of David Letterman

“Regis is in the same category as [Johnny] Carson. Superlative. He was on our show a million times, always the best guest we ever had, charming, lovable and could take a punch. When he retired I lost interest in television. I love him,” David wrote in the emotional tribute.

Regis appeared on Late Night and Late Show With David Letterman 150 times – more than any other guest in the show’s history – and even guest-hosted the show in 2000. One particularly memorable moment was when Regis appeared on the first show since the September 11 attacks in 2001. His last appearance was in 2015.

Here’s how Regis‘ co-star and friend Kathie Lee Gifford remembered the late star.