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Legendary TV Host Regis Philbin Dies At Age 88

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Legendary TV host Regis Philbin has died at the age of 88, CBS News has confirmed.

"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. "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."

Following news of his death, celebrities and loved ones took to social media:

Born in New York City, Philbin grew up in the New York borough of the Bronx, the son of Italian-Irish parents and named for the Roman Catholic boys high school his dad attended, according to the Associated Press.

His first talk show was "The Regis Philbin Show" in San Diego, Calif. He later went on to co-host with Kathie Lee Gifford — on "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee" from 1985-2000 — or Kelly Ripa — on "Live! with Regis and Kelly" from 2001 until his 2011 retirement.

Philbin logged more than 15,000 hours on the air, earning him recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most broadcast hours logged by a TV personality, a record previously held by Hugh Downs, according to the wire service.

This is a breaking news story. More information will be added as soon as it becomes available.

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