Morning TV Icon Regis Philbin Announces Retirement in 2011

This morning, morning television icon Regis Philbin, who has been the male anchor of ABC's Live! for nearly 25 years, announced that come the start of fall he would be retiring from his post.  He did not specify a specific farewell date.  

While he is most widely known for Live with Regis and Kelly (formerly Live with Regis and Kathy Lee), he has also famously hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Million Dollar Password, and the first season of America's Got Talent. He also holds the Guinness World Record for the most time spent in front of a television camera.

A crooner himself, Philbin is a longtime supporter of Broadway and New York Theater, welcoming countless theatrical talent on his show as both guests and performers over the years. 

He has published two autobiographies, co-authored Bill Zehme: I'm Only One Man! (1995) and Who Wants To Be Me? (2000).

Philbin's television exit will truly mark the end of an era.  In the meantime, you can catch Regis and his co-host Kelly Ripa weekday mornings on Live at 9am on ABC.