Kathie Lee Gifford pays tribute to Regis Philbin on his 91st birthday

Former Today Show host Kathie Lee Gifford paid a heartfelt tribute to her former co-host Regis Philbin on his would-be 91st birthday.

Gifford, 69, posted a throwback photo standing alongside Philbin during a taping of “The Morning Show,” which later became “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” in 1988.

“I miss Regis every day,” Gifford said of her longtime friend. “But this is a particularly difficult day as we remember this amazing man who would have been 91.”

Philbin was 88 years old when he suffered a fatal heart attack due to coronary artery disease in 2020.

Following Philbin’s death, Gifford remembered her “precious friend” who she hosted the morning talk show with for 12 years.

“We spent 15 years together bantering and bickering and laughing ourselves silly — a tradition and a friendship we shared up to this very day,” she continued. “I smile knowing somewhere in Heaven, at this very moment, he’s making someone laugh,” Gifford said.

Gifford also took the time to send Philbin’s wife, Joy, 81, love and well wishes to celebrate his 91st birthday.

“Sending love to [his wife] Joy and the rest of their family as they celebrate an extraordinary man and life,” Gifford wrote.