Regis Philbin's wife Joy was often mistaken for Kathie Lee Gifford: 'People would see him with a redhead'

Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY
·2 min read

Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford's chemistry was so dynamic that many people mistook them for a married couple in real life.

During ABC News' "Regis Philbin: The Morning Maestro – A Special Edition of 20/20" Tuesday, Philbin's wife, Joy, said she was commonly mistaken for his former "Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee" co-host.

"People often called me Kathie Lee because we resemble each other," Philbin said during the prime-time special. "People would see him with a redhead and think it was, of course, Kathie Lee."

But Philbin said the mix-ups never made her envious.

"Women have asked me if I had to deal with any jealousies, because he does spend a lot of time with very beautiful, very smart women," said Philbin, who also guest-hosted "Live!" with her husband. "We have been married so long that those worries have sort of dissipated."

Regis Philbin: Beloved TV host of 'Regis and Kathie Lee' and 'Who Wants to Be A Millionaire' dies at 88

Regis Philbin and his wife, Joy, attend an American Cancer Society gala fundraiser in Philbin's honor on May 7, 2001, in New York City.
Regis Philbin and his wife, Joy, attend an American Cancer Society gala fundraiser in Philbin's honor on May 7, 2001, in New York City.

The "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and "Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee" host died Friday of natural causes at 88, his family confirmed in a statement sent to USA TODAY by his representative, Lewis Kay.

Philbin's ubiquitous presence on television is highlighted by more than 20 years on the morning show with Gifford (1985-2000) and then Kelly Ripa (2001-2011). On TV, Philbin and Gifford frequently mentioned their spouses, and their day-to-day activities became part of the banter on events of the day.

Gifford said the duo laid the framework for modern reality TV.

"In a weird way, if you hate reality television today, you sort of have to blame (Regis) and myself for that," she said during the special. "We were the first ones that I know of that ever got paid to talk about our lives for a living."

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In February 2012, Joy and Regis Philbin and Kathy Lee and Frank Gifford attend the New York Giants Super Bowl Pep Rally Luncheon at Michael's in New York City.
In February 2012, Joy and Regis Philbin and Kathy Lee and Frank Gifford attend the New York Giants Super Bowl Pep Rally Luncheon at Michael's in New York City.

Gifford's daughter Cassidy paid tribute to Philbin with a sweet photo of the star embracing her father, NFL star Frank Gifford, who died in August 2015.

"The laughter I know you two are sharing together again in heaven is palpable," she captioned the image on Instagram. "Love you forever, Reeg."

Kathie Lee Gifford reflects on 'precious' last visit with Regis Philbin; Kelly Ripa dedicates show

Contributing: Morgan Hines, Bill Keveney

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Regis Philbin's wife Joy was often mistaken for Kathie Lee Gifford