South Jersey native Kelly Ripa, co-host of the popular syndicated morning talk show “LIVE! with Regis and Kelly,” has one of the most sought-after seats in television. In her past nine years hosting with Regis Philbin, she has received eight Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Talk Show Host. Also during her tenure, the show has been nominated for eight Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Talk Show, has received two TV Guide Award nominations for Favorite Daytime Talk Show, and multiple People’s Choice nominations for Favorite Talk Show Host.

Ripa ventured into primetime in 2003 on “Hope & Faith,” starring with Faith Ford in the half-hour sitcom, which ran for three seasons on ABC. In 2002, Ripa concluded a 12-year stint as Hayley Vaughan on ABC’s “All My Children.” She won three Soap Opera Digest Awards for her work, two for Outstanding Younger Lead Actress and one for Hottest Romance, which she shared with her real-life husband and co-star, actor Mark Consuelos. Ripa also received three Daytime Emmy nominations, two for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and one for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series.

She had a recurring role on the hit NBC series “Ed,” appeared in the telefilm “It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie,” and won acclaim for her turn in late night TV’s most coveted role: hosting “Saturday Night Live.” Her voice could be heard as a guest star on the popular animated series “Kim Possible” and “Duck Dodgers.” Ripa also has hosted the annual ABC special “Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade” for the last six years with Philbin. The duo received a 2006 Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Special Class Special for their hosting duties, and were nominated again in 2007, 2008 and 2009 in the same category. In 2007, Ripa hosted the 2007 TV Land Awards, and the "50 Funniest Women Alive" special on the Oxygen network.

Best known for her television work, Ripa also has several feature films to her credit. Most recently, she was part of the voice cast of the computer-generated animated feature “Fly Me to the Moon.” In addition, Ripa appeared in the acclaimed Miramax feature, “Marvin’s Room” in 1996, and in 1999 she won the Best Actress award at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival for her work in “The Stand-In.”

Ripa and Consuelos also oversee their New York-based production company, Milojo Productions. Their first effort, the feature documentary “The Streak” for ESPN, told the compelling story of a Florida high school wrestling team with an extraordinary 34-year winning streak. It premiered at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival and was nominated for a 2009 Sports Emmy in the category of Outstanding Sports Documentary. In addition, Milojo signed a first-look development deal with TLC and Discovery, and premiered its first docu-series, “Masters of Reception,” in 2009. They are getting ready to launch “Homemade Millionaire” this fall, hosted by Ripa, as well as the two-hour special "Off the Rez," set to premiere in 2011. They have several projects in development, including a feature film and another documentary slated for 2011.

She is a volunteer spokesperson for Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ. She also is well-known for appearances with TD Bank and the Super Fresh Supermarket chain, both businesses are active here in the Delaware Valley.

Her television career started on "Dancin' On Air" which aired on WPHL-TV, Channel 17 and "Dance Party USA" on the USA Television Network. Both shows were produced here in Philly by Broadcast Pioneers member Frank Nise, and his son, Michael Nise, a member of our Board of Directors. On Friday November 19, 2010, Kelly Ripa will be honored as our "Person of the Year."

Ripa and Consuelos met on the set of “All My Children” and married in 1996, a year before their characters married onscreen. The couple lives in New York with their three children, Michael, Lola and Joaquin.

On Friday evening, November 19, 2010, Kelly Ripa was honored as our "Person of the Year." She was also inducted into our "Hall of Fame."

From the official archives of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
Photo & Bio originally donated by the "Live with Regis & Kelly" TV Show
© 2010, Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
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