There aren’t many non-athletes that attended the University of Notre Dame that are better-known than Regis Philbin.
The legendary TV talk show and game show host graduated from the University in 1953 as a sociology major. He then served in the Navy before getting into show-business via behind-the-scenes jobs.
After hosting various different shows everywhere from St. Louis to San Diego, Philbin earned a co-hosting spot on the famed “Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee” that ran from 1988 until her retirement in 2000. He stayed with the show that was briefly named “Live! with Regis” before Kelly Ripa became his full-time co-host in 2001.
“Live! with Regis and Kelly” aired until 2011.
It wasn’t just talk shows, it was game shows where Philbin shined as well. “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” may be for what he is most-known in the game show industry but “The Neighbors”, “Almost Anything Goes” and “America’s Got Talent” all had Philbin’s finger prints on them, too.
Philbin was proud of where he went to college as he welcomed Lou Holtz, Tyrone Willingham and Charlie Weis all to “Live!” at various different times.
Regis was also a member of the Notre Dame tennis team during his time at school
Regis Philbin died Friday night one month short of his 89th birthday.