Regis Philbin, the famous tv host who started an iconic career with the wildly successful Reside! with Regis and Kathie Lee, has passed away. He was 88.

The television host’s loved ones confirmed his dying in a statement to People Magazine, declaring: “We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away past night of organic will cause, 1 thirty day period shy of his 89th birthday.”

The statement ongoing: “His loved ones and friends are permanently grateful for the time we obtained to expend with him – for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his singular ability to make each day into anything value conversing about. We thank his followers and admirers for their outstanding support around his 60-calendar year vocation and request for privateness as we mourn his decline.”

His vocation spanned many years, serving as a host on a record of traditional demonstrates such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, Million Dollar Password and America’s Acquired Expertise.

Philbin leaves guiding Joy Philbin, his wife of 50 many years, and two daughters, Joanna and Jennifer.

Philbin’s concern to contestants, “Is that your ultimate reply?” became a national catchphrase. He was even a vogue trendsetter he put out a line of monochramactic shirts and ties to match what he wore on the set.

“You hold out a life span for anything like that and often it in no way transpires”, Philbin informed the Related Press in 1999.

In 2008, he returned briefly to the quiz present format with Million Dollar Password. He also picked up the Life span Accomplishment Award from the daytime Emmys.

He was the kind of Tv set identity effortless to make entertaining of, and effortless to really like.

When his son Danny very first fulfilled his foreseeable future wife, “we ended up talking about our family members,” Danny advised Usa Now. “I reported, ‘You know that present Regis and Kathie Lee?’ And she mentioned, ‘I despise that exhibit.’ And I reported, ‘That’s my dad.”‘

But Philbin was a favorite of a younger generation’s ironic icon, David Letterman. When Letterman announced that he had to endure coronary heart operation, it was on the air to Philbin, who was also there for Letterman’s first day back again immediately after his restoration.

Letterman returned the favor, showing up on Philbin’s clearly show when he went back again on the air in April 2007 soon after going through coronary heart bypass surgical procedures.

Regis Francis Xavier Philbin grew up in the New York borough of the Bronx, the son of Italian-Irish mom and dad and named for the Roman Catholic boys higher college his father attended. He went to Notre Dame College, and was such an enthusiastic alum, he the moment reported he needed his ashes scattered there.

Soon after leaving the Navy in 1955, Philbin talked his way into a meeting with the stationmaster at KCOP-Tv in Los Angeles. He got a career parking vehicles, then progressed into operate as a stagehand, courier, newswriter and producer of a sports telecast. When its sportscaster did not clearly show up one day, Philbin filled in.

The Involved Press contributed to this report