How Many Times Was Regis Philbin Married?
Television personality Regis Philbin was known for his high-energy wit and light-heartedly annoyed demeanor on the sets of his talk shows.
In the course of anyone’s life, naturally, are expected both difficulties and joys, and Philbin was no different.
Here’s what’s known about the late entertainer’s marriages.
Philbin’s first marriage
Regis Philbin in 1955 was wed to his first wife, Catherine “Kay” Faylen, now 91, just as Regis was launching his career, working as a page on The Tonight Show.
Faylen, an actress who, according to her IMDb page was most active in the 1950s, was known for her appearances during that decade on Science Fiction Theatre, Highway Patrol, and Perry Mason. Her father, Frank Faylen, was also an active character actor, familiar to many movie fans as Ernie Bishop the cabbie in the holiday movie, It’s A Wonderful Life.
The couple had two children, Amy, 59, and Daniel, who died of natural causes in 2014 at the age of 49.
Philbin and Faylen divorced in 1968.
His second and final marriage was to Joy
The television host married his second wife, Joy, in 1970. She’s appeared in many programs including Home & Family, Entertainment Tonight, Today, Rachael Ray, and of course, on Live alongside her husband during his time on that show, filling in for either Kathie Lee Gifford or Kelly Ripa.
The couple, after three years of marriage, welcomed the first of their daughters, Joanna, in 1973, followed by Jennifer (called J.J. by her family) in 1974. Joanna graduated from Brown University, while her sister J.J. attended and graduated from her father’s alma mater, the University of Notre Dame.
When Regis retired from Live in 2011, Joy told Parade she couldn’t wait to see what her husband would accomplish.
“I’m looking forward to him being challenged by something he hasn’t done before,’ she said. “I’m hoping that it will be a short retirement before he goes back to something. I think it’s going to be an adventure. We hate the thought of moving on because the whole show and the staff are like family and it’s going to be a very sad departure.”
What Regis and Joy called the secret to their long marriage
In their conversation with the outlet, the couple was asked about their marriage’s unusual longevity and how they achieved it.
Joy said first, “There’s just something about Regis. There’s always something new on the horizon and it keeps our lives active and fun. I’d rather be with Regis than any other person in the world.”
Regis responded incredulously, “Really?”
She replied, “You keep it interesting and I think that’s one of the secrets. That’s why I don’t think you should ever retire!”
