
How I Got This Way
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $22.49
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Regis Philbin
-
By:
-
Regis Philbin
About this listen
In this entertaining memoir, the irrepressible Regis Philbin - consummate talk show host, man about town, loving husband, father, and yes, obsessive sports fan - looks back at his years in show business. How I Got This Way is filled with stories of lessons learned with extraordinary, and often unsuspecting, teachers: David Letterman, Donald Trump, Jack Nicholson; three legendary Notre Dame coaches; and, of course, longtime cohosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Kelly ‘Pippa’ Ripa, as well as his own lovely wife, Joy.
Whether he’s revealing what really drove him “bonkers” on the set of Seinfeld, how he survived the first known bomb scare on live TV, or poignant memories of his last moments with his idol and dear friend, Jack Paar, Regis packs every page with his signature heart, wit, dynamic energy, and gratitude for everything life has brought him.
Download the accompanying reference guide.©2011 Philbin enterprises, Inc. (P)2011 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
-
Live Wire
- Long-Winded Short Stories
- By: Kelly Ripa
- Narrated by: Kelly Ripa
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An instant New York Times bestseller from Kelly Ripa—a sharp, funny, and honest collection of real-life stories showing the many dimensions and crackling wit of the beloved daytime talk show host.
-
-
Live Wire
- By Sharyn G. Johnson on 10-09-22
By: Kelly Ripa
-
In Pieces
- By: Sally Field
- Narrated by: Sally Field
- Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this intimate, haunting, literary memoir read by the author, an American icon tells her story for the first time, in her own gorgeous words - about a challenging and lonely childhood, the craft that helped her find her voice, and a powerful emotional legacy that shaped her journey as a daughter and a mother.
-
-
Riveting Life Story of Sally Field's
- By DAW on 09-20-18
By: Sally Field
-
If You Would Have Told Me
- A Memoir
- By: John Stamos
- Narrated by: John Stamos
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If you would have told a young John Stamos flipping burgers at his dad’s fast-food joint that one day he’d be a household name and that, at the height of his success, he’d be living alone, divorced, with no kids, high on a cocktail of forgetting, he might’ve asked, “You want fries with that?”
-
-
Don't expect Uncle Jesse's autobiography...
- By Song4Ten on 10-24-23
By: John Stamos
-
From Saturday Night to Sunday Night
- My Forty Years of Laughter, Tears, and Touchdowns in TV
- By: Dick Ebersol
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders, Dick Ebersol
- Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Think of an important moment in live TV over the last half-century. Dick Ebersol was likely involved. Dropping out of college to join the crew of ABC’s Wide World of Sports, Ebersol worked the Mexico City Olympics during the famous protest by John Carlos and Tommie Smith as well as the Munich Olympics during the tragic hostage standoff. He went on to cocreate Saturday Night Live with Lorne Michaels and later produced the show for four seasons, helping launch Eddie Murphy to stardom.
-
-
TV fan
- By Mary Ann Mattingly on 01-13-25
By: Dick Ebersol
-
Being Henry
- The Fonz . . . and Beyond
- By: Henry Winkler
- Narrated by: Henry Winkler
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Henry Winkler, launched into prominence as “The Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood (though he would be the first to tell you that it’s simply not the case, he’s really just grateful to be here), Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.
-
-
Sweet human
- By Lisa Singer on 11-07-23
By: Henry Winkler
-
Surely You Can't Be Serious
- The True Story of Airplane!
- By: David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker
- Narrated by: "Weird Al" Yankovic, Arne Schmidt, Barry Diller, and others
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Surely You Can’t Be Serious is the first-ever oral history of the making of Airplane! by the creators, and of the beginnings of the ZAZ trio (Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker) – charting the rise of their comedy troupe Kentucky Fried Theater in Madison, Wisconsin all the way to premiere night. The directors explain what drew them to filmmaking and in particular, comedy.
-
-
Absolutely fantastic
- By A. Soergel on 10-11-23
By: David Zucker, and others
-
Live Wire
- Long-Winded Short Stories
- By: Kelly Ripa
- Narrated by: Kelly Ripa
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An instant New York Times bestseller from Kelly Ripa—a sharp, funny, and honest collection of real-life stories showing the many dimensions and crackling wit of the beloved daytime talk show host.
-
-
Live Wire
- By Sharyn G. Johnson on 10-09-22
By: Kelly Ripa
-
In Pieces
- By: Sally Field
- Narrated by: Sally Field
- Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this intimate, haunting, literary memoir read by the author, an American icon tells her story for the first time, in her own gorgeous words - about a challenging and lonely childhood, the craft that helped her find her voice, and a powerful emotional legacy that shaped her journey as a daughter and a mother.
-
-
Riveting Life Story of Sally Field's
- By DAW on 09-20-18
By: Sally Field
-
If You Would Have Told Me
- A Memoir
- By: John Stamos
- Narrated by: John Stamos
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If you would have told a young John Stamos flipping burgers at his dad’s fast-food joint that one day he’d be a household name and that, at the height of his success, he’d be living alone, divorced, with no kids, high on a cocktail of forgetting, he might’ve asked, “You want fries with that?”
-
-
Don't expect Uncle Jesse's autobiography...
- By Song4Ten on 10-24-23
By: John Stamos
-
From Saturday Night to Sunday Night
- My Forty Years of Laughter, Tears, and Touchdowns in TV
- By: Dick Ebersol
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders, Dick Ebersol
- Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Think of an important moment in live TV over the last half-century. Dick Ebersol was likely involved. Dropping out of college to join the crew of ABC’s Wide World of Sports, Ebersol worked the Mexico City Olympics during the famous protest by John Carlos and Tommie Smith as well as the Munich Olympics during the tragic hostage standoff. He went on to cocreate Saturday Night Live with Lorne Michaels and later produced the show for four seasons, helping launch Eddie Murphy to stardom.
-
-
TV fan
- By Mary Ann Mattingly on 01-13-25
By: Dick Ebersol
-
Being Henry
- The Fonz . . . and Beyond
- By: Henry Winkler
- Narrated by: Henry Winkler
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Henry Winkler, launched into prominence as “The Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood (though he would be the first to tell you that it’s simply not the case, he’s really just grateful to be here), Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.
-
-
Sweet human
- By Lisa Singer on 11-07-23
By: Henry Winkler
-
Surely You Can't Be Serious
- The True Story of Airplane!
- By: David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker
- Narrated by: "Weird Al" Yankovic, Arne Schmidt, Barry Diller, and others
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Surely You Can’t Be Serious is the first-ever oral history of the making of Airplane! by the creators, and of the beginnings of the ZAZ trio (Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker) – charting the rise of their comedy troupe Kentucky Fried Theater in Madison, Wisconsin all the way to premiere night. The directors explain what drew them to filmmaking and in particular, comedy.
-
-
Absolutely fantastic
- By A. Soergel on 10-11-23
By: David Zucker, and others
-
This Time Together
- Laughter and Reflection
- By: Carol Burnett
- Narrated by: Carol Burnett
- Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This touching and hilarious memoir is 100 percent Carol Burnett—funny, irreverent, and irresistible.Carol Burnett is one of the most beloved and revered actresses and performers in America. The Carol Burnett Show was seen each week by millions of adoring fans and won twenty-five Emmys in its remarkable eleven-year run.
-
-
Do not listen while driving
- By Robin on 08-12-10
By: Carol Burnett
-
Have I Told You This Already?
- Stories I Don't Want to Forget to Remember
- By: Lauren Graham
- Narrated by: Lauren Graham
- Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and the New York Times bestselling author of Talking as Fast as I Can comes a candid, insightful, and wildly entertaining essay collection.
-
-
Another Great one from Lauren!
- By Alisa Cross on 05-06-23
By: Lauren Graham
-
The Best of Me
- By: David Sedaris
- Narrated by: David Sedaris
- Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For more than 25 years, David Sedaris has been carving out a unique literary space, virtually creating his own genre. A Sedaris story may seem confessional, but is also highly attuned to the world outside. It opens our eyes to what is at absurd and moving about our daily existence. And it is almost impossible to listen without laughing.
-
-
Almost No New Material
- By Lizardectomy on 11-05-20
By: David Sedaris
-
Kiss Me Like a Stranger
- My Search for Love and Art
- By: Gene Wilder
- Narrated by: Gene Wilder
- Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gene Wilder is one of the great comic actors who defined the 1970s and 1980s in movies. From his work with Woody Allen, to the rich group of movies he made with Mel Brooks, to his partnership on screen with Richard Pryor, Wilder's performances are still discussed and celebrated today.
-
-
Interesting for a number of factors.
- By A reader from Philadelphia. on 04-17-05
By: Gene Wilder
-
Wildflower
- By: Drew Barrymore
- Narrated by: Drew Barrymore
- Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wildflower is a portrait of Drew's life in stories as she looks back on the adventures, challenges, and incredible experiences of her earlier years. It includes tales of living on her own at 14 (and how laundry may have saved her life), getting stuck in a gas station overhang on a cross-country road trip, saying good-bye to her father in a way only he could have understood, and many more adventures and lessons that have led her to the successful, happy, and healthy place she is today.
-
-
Hold the shrieking !
- By Dawne on 11-27-15
By: Drew Barrymore
-
Love, Lucy
- By: Lucille Ball
- Narrated by: Lucie Arnaz
- Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Love, Lucy is the valentine Lucille Ball left for her fans—a warm, wise, and witty memoir written by Lucy herself. The legendary star of the classic sitcom I Love Lucy was at the pinnacle of her success when she sat down to record the story of her life. No comedienne had made America laugh so hard, no television actress had made the leap from radio and B movies to become one of the world’s best-loved performers. This is her story—in her own words.
-
-
What a great book
- By SCOTT on 07-11-18
By: Lucille Ball
-
Vanderbilt
- The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty
- By: Anderson Cooper, Katherine Howe
- Narrated by: Anderson Cooper
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times best-selling author and journalist Anderson Cooper teams with New York Times best-selling historian and novelist Katherine Howe to chronicle the rise and fall of a legendary American dynasty - his mother’s family, the Vanderbilts.
-
-
Interesting Approach to a Well Known History
- By HistoryNerd on 09-24-21
By: Anderson Cooper, and others
-
I'm No Philosopher, but I Got Thoughts
- Mini-Meditations for Saints, Sinners, and the Rest of Us
- By: Kristin Chenoweth, Ariana Grande - foreword
- Narrated by: Kristin Chenoweth, Melinda Sewak
- Length: 2 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From television actress, Broadway star, and New York Times bestselling author Kristin Chenoweth comes I'm No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts, an inspiring high-design, colorful book featuring philosophical-ish musings on connection, creativity, loss, love, and closure. You'll be inspired to develop your own life philosophies, as you journey through some of Kristin's most vulnerable and humorous personal stories, in her constant pursuit to make the most out of life.
-
-
Loved learning more about Kristin!!
- By Cassie on 01-13-25
By: Kristin Chenoweth, and others
-
I Must Say
- My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend
- By: Martin Short
- Narrated by: Martin Short
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Martin Short takes you on a rich, hilarious, and occasionally heartbreaking ride through his life and times, from his early years in Toronto as a member of the fabled improvisational troupe Second City to the all-American comic big time of Saturday Night Live and memorable roles in movies such as ¡Three Amigos! and Father of the Bride.
-
-
This is what audio books were made for!
- By Ty Brady on 11-06-14
By: Martin Short
-
Based on a True Story
- A Memoir
- By: Norm Macdonald
- Narrated by: Norm Macdonald, Tim O'Halloran
- Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Norm Macdonald, one of the greatest stand-up comics of all time, was approached to write a celebrity memoir, he flatly refused, calling the genre “one step below instruction manuals.” Norm then promptly took a two-year hiatus from stand-up comedy to live on a farm in northern Canada. When he emerged he had under his arm a manuscript, a genre-smashing book about comedy, tragedy, love, loss, war, and redemption. When asked if this was the celebrity memoir, Norm replied, “Call it anything you damn like.”
-
-
Bizarre, funny ride
- By Michael Chauvin on 09-25-16
By: Norm Macdonald
-
Elvis and Me
- By: Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
- Narrated by: Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
- Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The inspiration for the major motion picture Priscilla directed by Sofia Coppola, this New York Times best seller reveals the intimate story of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, told by the woman who lived it.
-
-
What a story!
- By Pen Name on 08-28-22
-
The Chris Farley Show
- A Biography in Three Acts
- By: Tom Farley, Tanner Colby
- Narrated by: Therese Plummer, L. J. Ganser, Mark Boyett
- Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The New York Times best-selling biography of an American comedy legend. After three years of sobriety, Chris Farley's life was at its creative peak until a string of professional disappointments chased him back to drugs and alcohol. He fought hard against them, but it was a fight he would lose in December 1997. Farley's fans immediately drew parallels between his death and that of his idol, John Belushi. Without looking deeper, however, many failed to see that Farley was much more than just another Hollywood drug overdose. In this officially authorized oral history, Farley's friends and family remember his work and life.
-
-
Incredibly sad....
- By Marie B on 04-12-15
By: Tom Farley, and others
What listeners say about How I Got This Way
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- History Buff
- 04-20-12
So he wanted to write a book...
Would you consider the audio edition of How I Got This Way to be better than the print version?
It is *always* better to listen to a memoir read by the author than to read it. By far.
What other book might you compare How I Got This Way to and why?
Bob Shiefer's memoir....he, too, was a television personality, although in his case it was through "news" not "celebrity."
What about Regis Philbin’s performance did you like?
It was his voice.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Probably, but I listened to it too long ago to remember. I was surprised to learn of one of his friendships, but honor him for acknowledging it.
Any additional comments?
Regis is not a particularly gifted reader, and that almost got in the way, but the stories he told made up for it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Julie Johnson
- 12-18-23
How Regis got started!
Love his stories and friendship’s with Dave Letterman and love for his wife Joy-very interesting and a great listen!!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Linda
- 07-27-18
Wonderful!
WONDERFUL, LOVELY AND BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND READ. Loved listening to every second of it, it!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Maria
- 01-12-12
Loved it, very entertaining...
What did you love best about How I Got This Way?
I loved hearing Regis' stories and how each one inpired him. It was funny, interesting, and very entertaining. He is a great story teller!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Joan
- 04-09-12
I miss Regis!
Would you consider the audio edition of How I Got This Way to be better than the print version?
Yes--Regis reads the book in his own voice.
What did you like best about this story?
The fact that he read it in his own way. It was just like listening to him on his morning show.
What does Regis Philbin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He definitely has his own way of telling a story.
Any additional comments?
Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- lynda
- 12-24-12
reeege
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
well, i was so looking forward to listening to it but as it turns out, to me, reege is not a very good story teller--at times it was tedious and on several occasions i thought about deleting it--i wanted to hear more about his family, etc--i would recommend it but with reservations
How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?
i would have had someone with more aptitude in story telling--
What aspect of Regis Philbin’s performance would you have changed?
just his monotone and just his lack of enthusiasim for his life's story
Could you see How I Got This Way being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?
no, i don't see it and nobody could physically play reege but reege
Any additional comments?
i think he is a good television host and i love watching him with kelly--
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Litlepapoose
- 08-07-12
Entertaining, and well told
Enjoyable book, perhaps not as enjoyable but because I am unfamiliar with many of the people Philbin speaks about. Not as extensive as other bios, but entertaining nonetheless. Positive outlook of Philbin makes this an inspirational read that will leave you happy and uplifted.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mike Rayl
- 06-20-12
Wasn't a fan, till listening to this great story..
Would you consider the audio edition of How I Got This Way to be better than the print version?
Definitely, spoken brilliantly by the REEG himself, no one could do it better, simply wonderful, the story comes to life, like reading could not... I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT, THE WHOLE JOURNEY... Perfect delivery...
Who was your favorite character and why?
Regis himself, his recall of of precise details is amazing, and very entertaining, with wit and a sense of humor, that you grow to love...
Which scene was your favorite?
Every last one, it builds to a crescendo as the story unfolds, to my amazement...
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
The REEG as you never seen and how he got that way...
Any additional comments?
Simply marvelous, if you love a great, true story, filled with wit, insights and humor, you will love this...
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- zman
- 01-26-12
Boring
What would have made How I Got This Way better?
I was very excited to listen to this book because I love Regis and he was the narrator. It turned out be really boring, he does a poor job of setting up the background. Regis is pretty old so all the people he describes in his younger days are not know to most people and it was impossible to relate.
What didn???t you like about Regis Philbin???s performance?
It was ok but the content was too dated.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!