Regis Philbin to have bypass surgery

[gldstwmn]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/0...art/index.html

(CNN) -- Regis Philbin, co-host of "Live with Regis and Kelly," announced on the Monday morning show that he will undergo triple bypass surgery this week.

"Darn it, I don't want to do it. Nobody wants to do it," Philbin griped to his co-host, Kelly Ripa.

"But they tell me. I had a second opinion. So they are all in agreement that it should be the bypass. And so that's what I'm going to do. So, you know, I'm going to do it this week, and come back when I'm ready."

Philbin, 76, has appeared in various talk and game shows over the past 40 years, including the prime-time hit "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

According to the "Live from Regis and Kelly" Web site, he is listed in Guinness World Records for most hours on camera in television, logging 15,662 hours over his entertainment career.

He created "The Morning Show" for WABC in his native Manhattan in 1983, and was joined by Kathie Lee Gifford in June 1985 before the program went into national syndication in September 1988 under the title "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee." In 2001, Gifford left the show and was replaced by Kelly Ripa.

Philbin and his wife, Joy, have two grown daughters.

[skcin]

I know people hate this show & think it's cheesy, but I love it. Poor Reeg - he's so active it's hard to believe he's in his late 70's.

[GODDESS6]

i love regis & the kelly/regis lin-up much better than when he was w/ kathy lee...oy vey don't get me started on her ~
i wish regis the best~

[DrummerDeanna]

Originally Posted by skcin

I know people hate this show & think it's cheesy, but I love it. Poor Reeg - he's so active it's hard to believe he's in his late 70's.

I used to watch it every morning in Rochester I can't STAND Kelly but I do enjoy Regis...I can't believe he's in his late 70s I didn't realize that...hopefully he'll do just find with this surgery.

[ELIUD]

I love Regis and Kelly. Both of them together and not one with a substitute co-host. I hope he comes back soon and healthier than ever, even though they make me late for work.

[ontheEdgeof17]

I wish him well.

[goldie]

I am totally with you on this Paula, I LOVE this show. I never get to see it because I am working, but when I am home, I always try to catch it. Even back in the day with Kathie Lee and now I totaly love Kelly. And I've always loved Reege. Can't believe he's 76!!

[CelticGypsy]

Hope all goes well with him with this operation. I love their show and have watched it for many years

[skcin]

I actually heard that Regis is a big fat racist. Someone here (I wanna say Dissention perhaps?) overheard him calling someone the "N" word. But I do love that silly little show.