Regis and Joy Philbin Have Been Married For Almost Five Decades And Still Keep The Spark Alive

Jan 02, 2020

In a world clattered with news of Hollywood couples falling apart, celebrity marriages that last as long as  Regis and Joy Philbin's seem like a rarity. 

The couple has been married for almost 5 decades and have kept the flame burning the whole time. 

Regis and Joy Philbin tied the knot on March 1, 1970. Although the day was a special one for them, it also doubled as Regis' late brother's birthday. Frank turned 19 at the time while Regis was 38 on that special day, and Joy was 29. Both Regis and Joy are still going strong, individually and collectively, at 88 and 78, respectively.

In 2011, when Regis was set to leave the show that made him nationally famous, "Live with Regis and Kelly," which followed, "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee," he and Joy did an interview with Parade. The two were asked what the secret was to such a "long, happy marriage in Hollywood." Her heartfelt response was, "There's just something about Regis. ... I'd rather be with Regis than any other person in the world." Regis seemed stunned by how much he meant to her, replying, "Really?"

Four years later, Leave My Name Out's YouTube channel posted an interview with the two. During it, they were asked, "What is the secret to a perfect marriage?" Joy joked, "He's always wrong, and I'm always right," and Regis agreed before jokingly adding, "Don't write that. Don't let anybody know what Joy said," before the two walked away.

In the years following their marriage ceremony, Regis and Joy had two daughters, Joanna and J.J. They're also now grandparents as J.J. has given birth twice, in 2008 and 2010.

Prior to Regis and Joy getting married, Regis was married to Kay Faylen from 1955-68. The two of them have a pair of children, Daniel, who died in 2014, and Amy. The marriage to Regis is Joy's only.

Regis has had quite a career in the entertainment industry, even setting a Guinness world record for most hours on camera. That occurred on Aug. 20, 2004, when he reached 15,188 hours on television. As of Sept. 15, 2011, that incredible total was up to 16,746.

His first dips into this line of work occurred in the 1950s, when he worked as a page on "The Tonight Show." His initial breakthrough occurred when he started "The Regis Philbin Show" in San Diego. On that show, he'd generally open with a talk about things that had been going on in his life, something that he later regularly did to a national audience watching "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee." Regis also worked on "The Joey Bishop Show," "A.M. Los Angeles" and "Regis Philbin's Saturday Night in St. Louis," amongst other productions, generally helping each of those shows climb the local rankings.

However, his big breakthrough and what he became most known for occurred in 1988. That's when "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" became nationally syndicated after having already been on the air for three years in New York. Joy sporadically accompanied Regis on that show as well as on "Live with Regis and Kelly." Her other primary foray into the entertainment industry involved time spent on "Hope & Faith."

The couple, which is worth more than $150 million, has three homes, in New York, Greenwich, Conn., and Beverly Hills, Calif. They mostly keep out of the public eye today. Joy was never in it as much as Regis was, but he's been quiet too. He said a year ago that much of his time nowadays is being spent on staying healthy, focusing on his diet, exercise and medication, as well as more fully enjoying time with his family. Regis added that playing tennis has kept him in shape and following the stock market has kept his mind sharp.

What's the longest marriage that you know of in your personal life? What has been their secret to being married so long? Could you imagine being married that long? Let us know in the comments - and make sure you pass this along to your friends and family!