Kathie Lee Gifford Honors Regis Philbin’s Legacy Five Years After His Passing

It’s been five years since talk show funnyman Regis Philbin has passed, but longtime costar Kathie Lee Gifford says she still misses him every day.

The pair’s chemistry and engaging hosting style on “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” led to eight straight Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Talk Show Host from 1993 to 2000.

But Regis and Kathie Lee’s deep friendship didn’t end when the cameras stopped. They supported each other through life’s trials and tribulations. They even remained close long after Gifford exited the show in 2000.

Recently, Kathie Lee posted a throwback photo of the duo on set of their talk show and in the touching caption she writes, “Forever grateful for the moments shared and the laughter we spread.”

Regis died in July 2020 at age 88 due to a coronary — but he was already crushed because he could no longer be out in public entertaining people due to COVID. Says Kathie Lee, “He couldn’t be Regis for people, and it broke his heart.”