Kathe Lee Gifford is Remembering 'Precious Friend' Regis Philbin After His Death

Kathie Lee Gifford is paying tribute to her late friend Regis Philbin.

The 66-year-old talk show host took to her Instagram on Saturday (July 25) to remember Regis after it was announced he passed away the day before at the age of 88.

“There are no words to fully express the love I have for my precious friend, Regis,” Kathie Lee wrote. “I simply adored him and every day with him was a gift. We spent 15 years together bantering and bickering and laughing ourselves silly—a tradition and a friendship we shared up to this very day. I smile knowing somewhere in Heaven, at this very moment, he’s making someone laugh.”

Kathie Lee continued: “It brings me great comfort knowing that he had a personal relationship with his Lord that brought him great peace. I send all the love in my heart to Joy, to his children, to the rest of his family and to the innumerable people he touched over his legendary life. There has never been anyone like him. And there never will be.”

Regis and Kathie Lee first premiered their morning talk show Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee back in 1988. Kathie Lee left the show in 2001 and was replaced with Kelly Ripa. In 2011, Regis left the show and was replaced by Michael Strahan for nearly four years. Ryan Seacrest then joined the show in 2017.

Kathie Lee went on to join NBC’s morning show Today. She retired in April 2019, and Regis appeared on her last day to help send her off.

Read what more celebs have been saying in their tributes for Regis.