Kathie Lee Gifford paid tribute to her longtime co-host and close friend Regis Philbin on Thursday to celebrate what would have been his 91st birthday.
The former Today star took Instagram to share a black and white throwback photo of herself with Philbin, whom she starred alongside on the nationally syndicated talk show Live! with Kathie Lee and Regis from 1985 to 2000.
‘I miss Regis every day,’ Gifford, 69, wrote in the caption. ‘But this is a particularly difficult day as we remember this amazing man who would have been 91.’
Kathie Lee Gifford, 69, paid tribute to her former co-host Regis Philbin on Thursday in celebration of what would have been his 91st birthday
The TV star too, to Instagram to share a black and white throwback photo of herself with Philbin, who died at age 88 in July 2020
The TV star also shared that she was thinking of Philbin’s widow, Joy Philbin, and her family on this birthday.
Gifford wrote in the caption that she ‘misses Regis every day
‘Sending love to Joy and the rest of their family as they celebrate an extraordinary man and life,’ she concluded her post.
Philbin was surrounded by loved ones when he died of natural cause at age 8 on July 24, 2020. His family shared a statement with People following his passing.
‘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 wrote.
Gifford also sent love to Philbin’s widow, Joy Philbin (pictured in 2016), and his family
Gifford starred alongside Philbin on the nationally syndicated talk show Live! with Kathie Lee and Regis from 1985 to 2000
Philbin was one of America’s most beloved TV hosts, with a glittering career spanning more than six decades.
The star was a fixture on morning television for a generation, co-hosting ABC’s Live! from 1985 until his retirement in 2011. He also hosted Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and the first season of America’s Got Talent.
Gifford opened up about her relationship with Philbin on the Today show three days after his passing, saying they had lunch before he died and ‘enjoyed one last laugh.’
The singer, who spends most of her time at her new home in Nashville, Tennessee, said she reunited with Philbin and his wife, Joy, two weeks before he died when she was back in the New York area.
‘Of course, the first call I always make is to Regis and Joy, so I said, “Can we get together? Can we have some lunch?” So they came over about two weeks ago,’ said Gifford, who appeared on the broadcast from Connecticut home.
‘I saw Reg get out of the car with Joy and I sensed much more fragility in him than I’d seen in him since the last time in January out in Los Angeles.’
Gifford opened up about her relationship with Philbin on the Today show three days after his passing, saying they had lunch before he died and ‘enjoyed one last laugh’
The former Today host spends most of her time at her new home in Nashville, Tennessee
She shared that Philbin’s sense of humor was still strong, though.
‘We sat right here on my screened porch and we laughed ourselves sick — we always just picked up right where we left off,’ she said.
‘We had the best time, and after they left, I just thought to myself: “Lord, is that the last time I’m going to see my friend?” Because he was failing, I could tell.’
Gifford shared that she paid a visit to Joy a few days after her husband’s death. She explained that she wanted to pay her condolences, but also give them the space to grieve in private — something she understood from losing her husband, Frank Gifford, who died in August 2015 at age 84.
‘I didn’t want to intrude on their private family time because I remember what that was like,’ she said. ‘It’s been five years, almost, since Frank passed, and you love your friends reaching out, but you also desperately need that private time as a family.’
Gifford has become a grandmother for the first time after her son, Cody Gifford, and his wife, Erika, welcomed a baby boy, named after his late grandfather Frank Gifford
Gifford (pictured with her family in 2012) also has a daughter, Cassidy Gifford, with her late husband Frank, who died in August 2015
‘Anyway,’ she continued, ‘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 that I know where Regis is and I know who he’s with, because I had many, many conversations with him over the years about faith and where we go when this life is over, and he was very curious, as always.’
Gifford said that Joy told her their recent visit was one of the last times she heard Philbin laugh.
‘She said: “Kathie, he hadn’t laughed in a long, long time. I was so worried about him.” That will forever be a precious gift the Lord gave me, that I got to laugh with him — one of my best friends in all of my lifetime.’
Earlier this summer, Gifford became a grandmother for the first time after her son, Cody Gifford, welcomed a baby boy with his wife, Erika, in June. In a touching tribute, they named their son Frank after his late grandfather.
‘My heart is bursting. Frank Michael Gifford is here, confirming that our God is good and merciful and faithful. And he loves us!’ Gifford wrote alongside a photo of Cody posing with his wife and son in the hospital.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk