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Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest

Ryan is quite simply one of the most influential, well-regarded, and well-known names in Hollywood. He is the quintessential Hollywood insider who...Full Bio

 

Ryan Seacrest Remembers Late TV Icon Regis Philbin: Listen

Ryan Seacrest remembered late TV icon and mentor Regis Philbin on Monday, July 27, following the news of his death on July 24. The legendary TV host passed away from natural causes at the age of 88.

“We lost a legend, an icon, a national treasure,” Seacrest emotionally shared on-air. “Before the news was public I got a text and I actually didn’t believe it,” he added. “I thought this can’t be true, it’s got to be a rumor. … Regis, he created the notion of being one’s best friend through the screen. … [He] was the master of telling great stories and making you feel so good in the morning.”

Seacrest shared that growing up in Atlanta he would watch Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee during the summers after swim practice. He would time his breakfast after practice accordingly so he could enjoy a stack of pancakes in front of the TV in the living room, soaking up the morning show host.

“Even as a child, I just felt that connection,” Seacrest added. “I will tell you this, I actually remember thinking to myself, ‘Gosh, what would it be like to sit in that chair? What would it be like?’ No one can replace this man, no one will ever replace this man, but what would it be like to have that?’”

Regis retired from the show in 2011 and holds a whopping 37 daytime Emmy awards to his name. Seacrest took over his chair alongside co-host Kelly Ripa in 2017.

“For people that didn’t know Regis, but only watched him on TV, we lost a friend,” Seacrest concluded. “We lost a good friend.”

Listen back to Seacrest’s tribute in the audio above and join us in sending our thoughts and prayers to Regis’ family, friends and fans.