Regis Philbin and the Most Die Hard Celebrity Sports Fans Ever

Regis Philbin announced earlier today that he was retiring from his position as television host of "Live With Regis and Kelly." While this is a loss for daytime television, this is a big gain for us sports fans.

How is this a gain? With his retirement, Regis will now have plenty of time to attend sporting events. After all, he is a big sports fan, especially of his alma mater, Notre Dame.

Regis is not alone. Celebrities walk among us as we head to our stadium seats and some have become synonymous with the team they love. Who are these die-hard celebrity sports fans? Here are 20 of the most diehard celebrity sports fans.

20 (tie). George W. Bush

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: Former President of the United States, George W. Bush, and his father Former President George H.W. Bush wave to the crowd before the Texas Rangers host the San Francisco Giants in Game Four of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rang

George W. Bush, once President of the United States, got his start as part of the Texas Rangers, purchasing a share in the company in 1988 and actively attending games while serving as the team's managing partner.

Now that he's en ex-president, he is back in the stands, again rooting for the Rangers as they went to the 2010 World Series.

20 (tie). Barack Obama

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WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 13: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama (L) talks with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers while filling care packages during a NBA Cares service event at the Boys and Girls Club at THEARC December 13, 2010 in Washington, D

Barack Obama, current President of the United States, has been fairly active in sports as well. He is especially into basketball, and his March Madness bracket in 2009 was up for all to see (he correctly guessed a North Carolina win).

19. Mike Myers

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TORONTO - OCTOBER 13: Mike Myers drops the ceremonial opening faceoff to Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Mats Sundin #13 of the Toronto Maple Leafs before the game at Air Canada Centre on October 13, 2007 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo By D

Michael Myers is an avid sports fan and in fact his fandom can sneak into movies. His favorite team is the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and in an Austin Powers movie, the Mini-Me wore a Maple Leafs jersey in one scene.

Myers is also a big fan of Liverpool F.C, the club stationed where his parents grew up.

18. Denis Leary

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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 7: Actor Dennis Leary and Ray Bourque (left) attend the Hockey Hall of Fame, for induction ceremony on November 7, 2005 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Long-time comedian Denis Leary has a second passion: ice hockey. In fact, he has his own backyard hockey rink. Denis Leary is also a fan of Boston sports and he is a huge fan of the Boston Bruins as a result.

He is a fan of the Boston Red Sox and after Mel Gibson's anti-semitic comments in 2006, Leary went off on him after finding out Kevin Youkilis was Jewish.

17. Drew Carey

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SEATTLE - MARCH 25: Drew Carey at the Seattle Sounders FC against the Philadelphia Union at Qwest Field on March 25, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Sounders defeated the Union 2-0.(Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)

Drew Carey is an avid fan of two mediums. As a Cleveland native, he's a strong supporter of all the teams from there and the Cleveland Indians even fashioned a bobblehead in his likeness in 2006.

He is a more visible fan of soccer, though, supporting the sport as a whole and attending the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. He is also a minority owner of the Seattle Sounders F.C. and attends many other football events.

16. Bill Murray

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CHICAGO - APRIL 12: Actor Bill Murray runs to home plate after throwing the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Chicago Cubs home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 12, 2004 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Pirates defeated the Cubs

Bill Murray's role in Caddyshack is only fitting, as he is a rather avid golfer. When it comes to fandom, however, his allegiance lies with Chicago, especially the Cubs. In fact, he got to be a guest color commentator for the Cubs during a game in the 1980s.

15. Will Smith

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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 06: Actor Will Smith introduces Alcia Keys on the field before the start of Super Bowl XXXIX between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles at Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005 in Jacksonville, Florida. (P

In West Philadelphia, born and raised, Will Smith naturally became a fan of Philadelphia sports. He is especially a loyal fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. In Super Bowl XXXIX, Will Smith introduced the Eagles in pre-recorded segments opposite Michael Chiklis and the Patriots.

14. Ben Affleck

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BOSTON - JUNE 02: Actor Ben Affleck jokes with Mike Lowell #25 of the Boston Red Sox after the game against the New York Yankees on June 2, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 11-6. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox have their big fans, such as Jennifer Garner and Matt Damon. One of the biggest in Hollywood is Ben Affleck. While he enjoys the Patriots and the other teams in Boston, he loves the Red Sox most, so much so that wife Garner became a fairly big fan herself.

As much as he loves the Red Sox, he isn't the biggest fan on the countdown.

13. Sarah Jessica Parker

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NEW YORK - JULY 15: Commissioner of Major League Baseball Bud Selig and actress Sarah-Jessica Parker take part in an on field presentation during the 79th MLB All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium on July 15, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo

There are many Yankees fans who are celebrities, and while Yankee Stadium has not seen as much of Sarah Jessica Parker of late, she remains a big fan, up there with other big fans such as Rudy Giuliani and Adam Sandler.

12. Will Ferrell

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Actor Will Farrell (L) and Ryan Kalil #67 of the USC Trojans celebrate a 23-9 win over the California Golden Bears during the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Phot

Let's start looking at some college lovers. One of the biggest there is happens to be Will Ferrell, an alum of USC. As a result, he is a big fan of the Trojans football team, and during Pete Carroll's tenure he would often do motivational stunts for the players.

Ferrell is also a fan of Chelsea F.C. and has been named an honorary captain for the team.

11. Matthew McConaughey

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 05: Actor Matthew McConaughey celebrates after the Texas Longhorns defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes in Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Game on January 5, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Get

While on the subject of avid college fans, while Ferrell loves USC, Matthew McConaughey loves Texas football. An alum of Texas, Mack Brown has adopted him as the team's celebrity fan. He also is, almost ironically, a fan of the Washington Redskins of the NFL.

10. Snoop Dogg

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LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 29: Rapper Snoop Dogg watches the University of Southern California Trojans take on the Washington State Cougars October 29, 2005 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

Snoop Dogg may not focus on primarily one team like many others, but he is an avid celebrity sports fan nonetheless. You name a sport, he's got a team he follows. Football? Pittsburgh Steelers. Baseball? Los Angeles Dodgers. Basketball? L.A. Lakers. College? USC. He's even said he would love to be an NFL coach for the Steelers in interviews.

9. Stephen King

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BOSTON - JUNE 28: Author Stephen King attends the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets June 28, 2006 at Fenway Park in Boston Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

A lot of the Boston Red Sox story between 1918 and 2004 was horror. Enter Stephen King, big-time author and big-time Red Sox fan. He attends home and away games for the Sox frequently, and he incorporated the team into his works. In the film Fever Pitch, King threw out the first pitch at a Red Sox game.

8. Billy Crystal

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TAMPA, FL - MARCH 13: Billy Crystal #60 of the New York Yankees fouls off a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the Grapefruit League Spring Training game on March 13, 2008 at Legends Field in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

As far as Yankees fans are concerned, the Red Sox can have King, as they have Billy Crystal. Crystal is such a fan of the Yankees that on March 12, 2008 he signed a one-day minor league contract to play for the Yankees. That's fandom.

7. Jay-Z

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NEW YORK - JULY 23: Rapper Jay-Z watches the game between the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals on July 23, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

When you're enough of a fan to want to buy a stake in the team, that says something. Jay-Z is a big fan and part-owner of the New Jersey Nets, and he is also a big fan of the New York Yankees as well.

Will he move the Nets to Brooklyn, as has been rumored? Probably not, but he loves having a stake in teams. He's also been rumored to want to buy a share in Arsenal F.C, but that was years ago.

6. Eva Longoria

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SALT LAKE CITY - MAY 28: Actress Eva Longoria and fiance of Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs cheers on the Spurs in the fourth quarter of Game Four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions

Longoria falls a bit in the rankings, since after the divorce with Tony Parker, she's probably not as big a fan of the San Antonio Spurs as she used to be. Give it a year or two and she'll be back on the Spurs' sideline again.

5. Regis Philbin

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 8: US Open singles champion Andy Roddick meets Regis Philben and Kelli Rippa while making an appearance on the Regis & Kelli Show September 8, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Regis is a big-time sports enthusiast. He is a fan of the New York Yankees and is an "underground fan," if such a thing exists for celebrities, of the Florida Marlins.

When it comes to football, though, one need look no further than his alma mater, Notre Dame. He is as big a fan as they come of the Fighting Irish, and has even narrated audio CDs about the history of Notre Dame football. With the Irish on the rise and Regis retiring, expect to see a lot of him in South Bend.

4. Alyssa Milano

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ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 12: Actress Alyssa Milano talks with members of the United States Armed Forces and American League All-Star Nick Swisher #33 of the New York Yankees during Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 12, 2010 in A

Alyssa Milano is one of the biggest sports fans you'll come across. What other celebrities blog about baseball, while also being fans of football and hockey as well? I can't think of any others.

Her favorite teams include the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Giants and Los Angeles Kings.

As for her blog, it's right here.

3. Ashley Judd

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NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 20: Actress Ashley Judd cheers for the Kentucky Wildcats during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the New Orleans Arena on March 20, 2010 in New Orle

Ashley Judd is a diehard fan on two levels. First, she married big-time auto racer Dario Franchitti in 2001. Second, and perhaps more importantly, she is a huge fan of Kentucky Wildcats basketball.

While she attends most Kentucky basketball games, she has also attended football games and has helped fundraise for the hockey team. You're not going to find more of a diehard fan of the Wildcats than her.

2. Spike Lee

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Film maker Spike Lee cheers for the New York Knicks against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 109-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Spike Lee is pretty much the definition of the word "superfan." He has attended Knicks games for a long time, and if an opposing player is lighting up the scoreboard, he's not afraid to show his disapproval.

During the heated Knicks-Pacers playoff matchup in 1994, Spike Lee gave Reggie Miller the choke sign after Miller continuously lit up the scoreboard. Miller returned the favor and this has not been the only instance of Spike's fandom getting the better of him.

1. Jack Nicholson

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Jack Nicholson (L) and Raymond Nicholson attend Game Seven of the NBA playoff finals between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2010 NBA Playoff at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, Californi

Were you really expecting anyone else? If anyone is the most diehard celebrity sports fan, it's Jack Nicholson. He's been a season ticket holder of the Los Angeles Lakers since 1970, goes to just about every single game, and is as synonymous with the Lakers as many of the greats.

He's such a diehard fan that, rumor has it, directors try to shoot his movie roles around Laker home games. You're not going to find another diehard fan like that.