Regis Philbin to Receive the Legend Award at The Ninth Annual 'TV Land Awards' Taping in New York City on April 10, 2011

Regis Philbin to Receive the Legend Award at The Ninth Annual 'TV Land Awards' Taping in New York City on April 10, 2011

Star-Studded Extravaganza To Be Held At The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

Special Will Air On Sunday, April 17

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Beloved Emmy® Award-winning television host Regis Philbin ("LIVE! with Regis and Kelly," "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire") will receive the Legend Award at The Ninth Annual "TV Land Awards" in New York City, it was announced today by Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. The star-studded celebration will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Sunday, April 10 and will premiere on TV Land on Sunday, April 17.

The Legend Award is presented to an entertainer or a television show that has stood the test of time and ranks among the most memorable and celebrated in television and movie history. Previous winners include Garry Marshall, Don Rickles, Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner, the cast of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and the cast of "Cheers."

"Hey, it's about time! Only kidding," said Regis Philbin. "I'm delighted to receive this award. Thanks, TV Land."

"Regis Philbin is an adored television icon," said Larry W. Jones. "A native New Yorker, he has given a slice of the city to all of his loyal viewers. TV Land is thrilled to have an opportunity to honor him."

Philbin's remarkable career has spanned over 50 years, first as the host of local shows, followed by a national late-night show, then a stint as sidekick to Joey Bishop on the comedian's late-night talk show beginning in 1967. Philbin's morning show "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" debuted nationally in syndication in September of 1988 and continues to be a hit with co-host Kelly Ripa ("LIVE! with Regis and Kelly"). In 1999, Philbin became the host of another hit, the prime-time game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire." He won two Emmy® Awards in 2001, one each as host of "Live" and "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire." On January 18, 2011, Regis Philbin announced that after 28 years, he would retire as host of "LIVE! With Regis and Kelly" later this year.

Philbin joins previously announced honorees "The Cosby Show," which will receive the Impact Award at this year's show, and the cast of "Family Ties," which will receive the Fan Favorite Award.

Now in its ninth year, the "TV Land Awards" pays tribute to classic and contemporary luminaries of television, music and movies. The ninety-minute telecast will feature exhilarating musical performances and will reunite some of the most iconic celebrity TV casts.

Previous honorees include Mike Myers, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Garry Marshall, the cast of "Glee," "Desperate Housewives" and the hilarious sitcoms "Cheers," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Bosom Buddies," "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "M*A*S*H*." Past presenters include Academy Award©-winner Halle Berry, Justin Timberlake, Ray Romano, Steve Carell, Billy Crystal, Sharon Stone, Robin Williams and Academy Award©-nominee Robert Downey, Jr., to name a few. Past musical performers include Blondie, Diana Ross, Willie Nelson and Lionel Richie.

Michael Levitt ("Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List," "Ask Oprah's All Stars," "Scream Awards") is executive producer; Glen Weiss is director (The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards," "BET Awards," "The 64th Annual Tony Awards"); Greg Sills is supervising producer ("VH1 Rock Honors," "The Teen Choice Awards," "Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards") and TV Land's Larry W. Jones and Casey Patterson are executive producers.

About Regis Philbin

As the face to which millions of Americans wake up every weekday morning, Regis Philbin has become a cultural icon in television broadcasting.

Since Philbin first stepped in front of the camera more than 50 years ago, he has ambitiously tackled talk shows, game shows and even the literary world, with multiple best-sellers to his credit. In May 2001, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honored him with a Daytime Emmy as Outstanding Talk Show Host for his syndicated program, "Live with Regis," and another Emmy as Outstanding Game Show Host for "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire." He and co-host Kelly Ripa received the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Special for hosting the 2006 "Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade." In September 2010, he broke his own existing Guinness World Record(TM) for Most Hours on Camera, setting a new mark of 16,548.5 hours accumulated over his illustrious career - a career that was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at the 2008 Daytime Emmy Awards.

Early on, Philbin took "A.M. Los Angeles" from the bottom of the ratings to number one, where the show remained throughout his seven-year tenure. At the national level, he served as Joey Bishop's sidekick on "The Joey Bishop Show" and helmed "The Regis Philbin Show," a daily 30-minute program that received an Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Variety Series.

Currently in its 23rd season in national syndication, "LIVE! with Regis and Kelly" originated in 1983 when Philbin created "The Morning Show" for WABC in his native Manhattan. It quickly became the number one show in the market. Kathie Lee Gifford joined him in June 1985, and in September 1988 the program debuted in national syndication and the title was changed to "Live with Regis & Kathie Lee." In 2001, Philbin was joined by Ripa, and the program entered a new era as "LIVE! with Regis and Kelly."

Philbin took his daytime success to nighttime with ABC's ratings juggernaut "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" in 1999. In August 2009, ten years after making television history, the network brought back a special 11-episode anniversary run of the blockbuster game show with Philbin at the helm.

Following the initial run of "Millionaire" and the $10 million spin-off "Super Millionaire," Philbin returned to primetime as host of the NBC summer program "America's Got Talent." In early 2008, he was tapped by ABC to host the red carpet arrivals show for the 2008 Academy Awards, and later that year hosted the network revival of "Password," CBS' "Million Dollar Password." In June, 2010, he took on hosting duties for daytime television's biggest night, the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, broadcast live from Las Vegas.

In 2001, Philbin received a TV Guide Award as Personality of the Year, and a Broadcasting & Cable Lifetime Achievement Award. He also was presented with a Crystal Apple Award from then-New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for his contributions to the New York television industry. Other accolades include the Walter Camp "Distinguished American Award" at Yale University and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Philbin was the 2006 inductee into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and later that year was selected by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to be inducted into the Television Academy's Hall of Fame.

A native of New York City, Philbin is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and received an honorary doctorate of law degree for his contributions to Notre Dame and South Bend. Regis and Joy have two grown daughters, Joanna and Jennifer.

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