Susan Lucci Credits Regis With Popularizing Her 'La Lucci' Nickname (VIDEO)

If you have ever called 'All My Children' star Susan Lucci "La Lucci" or heard others call her that, you have Regis Philbin to thank. Lucci explained the backstory about her nickname today on 'Live With Regis and Kelly' (weekdays, syndicated).

Lucci was on the show promoting her new memoir, 'All My Life,' which was released today. Philbin said he started calling her La Lucci when the pair were touring with a club act. He thought he had coined it but found that Lucci's 'All My Children' co-stars had been calling her that for years. While she's not sure who started it, Lucci thinks no one would have remembered the nickname without Philbin.

"You know, it was about the same time," said Lucci. "Because you've always called me La Lucci and that always made me just feel so good. I love that you say that. And the name stuck because of you." Now people use the name when they see her in the street, probably without quite the same ring as when Philbin says it.