With a career spanning over three decades, Kelly Ripa has become a household name as an actress, talk show host, and producer. Her infectious personality and quick wit have won the hearts of audiences worldwide, making her a mainstay on daytime television. Born in 1970, Ripa has come a long way since her early days in New Jersey.
Ripa’s career began in the late 1980s when she landed a role on the soap opera All My Children. Her portrayal of Hayley Vaughan earned her critical acclaim and a Daytime Emmy nomination. Ripa’s success on All My Children led to other acting opportunities, including guest appearances on popular shows like Seinfeld and Friends.
In 2001, Ripa joined the cast of Live! with Regis and Kelly as a co-host alongside Regis Philbin. The show quickly became a hit, and Ripa’s chemistry with Philbin was undeniable. The two became close friends off-screen as well, and Ripa credits Philbin with teaching her the ins and outs of daytime television.
After Philbin’s retirement in 2011, Ripa continued to host the show alongside a rotating cast of guest co-hosts until 2017 when Ryan Seacrest was named as her permanent co-host. Live! with Kelly and Ryan has remained a popular daytime talk show, with Ripa and Seacrest’s chemistry winning over audiences.
In addition to her work on television, Ripa has also dabbled in producing. She and her husband, actor Mark Consuelos, founded Milojo Productions in 2007. The company has produced several successful projects, including the Emmy-nominated documentary The Streak for ESPN.
Ripa is also known for her philanthropic efforts. She has been a longtime supporter of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance and has worked with other organizations such as the Trevor Project and the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Despite her success, Ripa has faced her fair share of criticism over the years. In 2016, she received backlash for making a comment about her son’s use of a certain type of dance belt. Ripa apologized for the comment, stating that she was unaware of the negative connotations associated with the garment.
Ripa has also been open about her struggles with body image and has spoken out against unrealistic beauty standards in the media. In a 2019 interview with People, she stated, “I think we need to start rethinking how we talk about beauty and how we value ourselves as human beings.”
Overall, Kelly Ripa’s career has been nothing short of impressive. From her early days on All My Children to her current role as co-host of Live! with Kelly and Ryan, Ripa has proven herself to be a talented and versatile performer. Her infectious personality and dedication to philanthropy have also made her a beloved figure off-screen.