David Letterman Emotionally Mourns the Death of Fellow TV Host & Friend Regis Philbin

David Letterman is honoring the late Regis Philbin.

The 73-year-old TV personality issued a statement on Twitter on Saturday (July 25) following the sad news of fellow host Regis‘ death on Friday (July 24).

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“Regis is in the same category as [Johnny] Carson. Superlative. He was on our show a million times, always the best guest we ever had, charming, lovable and could take a punch. When he retired I lost interest in television. I love him,” David wrote in the emotional tribute.

Regis appeared on Late Night and Late Show With David Letterman 150 times – more than any other guest in the show’s history – and even guest-hosted the show in 2000. One particularly memorable moment was when Regis appeared on the first show since the September 11 attacks in 2001. His last appearance was in 2015.

Here’s how Regis‘ co-star and friend Kathie Lee Gifford remembered the late star.