Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kelly Ripa

How Kelly Ripa built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kelly Ripa is an American actress and prominent talk show host, best known for co-hosting the syndicated morning show Live! since 2001. Over the years, she has shared the hosting duties with well-known personalities such as Regis Philbin, Michael Strahan, Ryan Seacrest, and currently her husband, Mark Consuelos. Her consistent presence and engaging personality have made her a staple in daytime television.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1986: Appearance on Dancin' On Air

In 1986, Kelly Ripa made her first national television appearance as a regular dancer on Dancin' On Air.

1990: Role on All My Children

In 1990, Kelly Ripa began her role as Hayley Vaughan on the ABC daytime soap opera All My Children.

1996: Appearance in Marvin's Room

In 1996, Kelly Ripa appeared in the film Marvin's Room alongside Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio.

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1996: Best Friday Premiere Score

In 1996, Kelly Ripa's show Hope & Faith, gave ABC its best Friday premiere score.

November 1, 2000: Live! with Regis Tryout

On November 1, 2000, Kelly Ripa tried out for Live! with Regis.

February 5, 2001: Official Replacement Announcement

On February 5, 2001, Kelly Ripa was announced as the official replacement on Live! with Regis, and within months the show's young-audience demographics increased.

2001: Co-hosted Disney Christmas Day Parade

From 2001 to 2009, Kelly Ripa co-hosted the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade.

2001: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Appearance

In 2001, Kelly Ripa appeared on a celebrity version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, hosted by Regis Philbin, and won $250,000 for Tomorrow's Children's Fund.

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2001: Co-hosting Live!

In 2001, Kelly Ripa began co-hosting the morning talk show Live! with Kelly and Mark in various formats.

2002: Leaving All My Children

In 2002, Kelly Ripa concluded her 12-year role as Hayley Vaughan on All My Children.

September 2003: Premiere of Hope & Faith

In September 2003, Kelly Ripa ventured into primetime on Hope & Faith, playing Faith Fairfield.

2003: Role on Hope & Faith

In 2003, Kelly Ripa began playing Faith Fairfield on the ABC sitcom Hope & Faith.

May 2006: End of Hope & Faith

In May 2006, Kelly Ripa's show Hope & Faith ended, after which Ripa declared she "never wanted to work that hard again."

2006: End of Hope & Faith

In 2006, Kelly Ripa's sitcom Hope & Faith ended.

2007: Milojo Production Company Founded

In 2007, Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos founded Milojo, the production company.

2007: Hosted TV Land Awards

In 2007, Kelly Ripa hosted the TV Land Awards to positive reviews.

2008: The Streak Premiered

In 2008, Milojo's Emmy-nominated feature documentary The Streak premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

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2008: Rykä Spokesperson

In 2008, Rykä announced Kelly Ripa as the spokesperson for the brand's footwear and sporting apparel.

2009: Co-hosted Disney Christmas Day Parade

From 2001 to 2009, Kelly Ripa co-hosted the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade.

2010: Return to All My Children

In 2010, Kelly Ripa returned for two episodes on All My Children to celebrate the soap opera's 40th anniversary.

January 2011: Regis Philbin's Retirement Announcement

In January 2011, Regis Philbin announced that he would be retiring from Live! at the end of the year.

May 2011: Off the Rez Premiered

In May 2011, Milojo's film Off the Rez premiered on TLC.

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November 18, 2011: Regis Philbin's Final Show

On November 18, 2011, Regis Philbin's final show aired, with Kelly Ripa tearfully reminiscing about their time together.

November 21, 2011: Live! with Kelly Debut

On November 21, 2011, Kelly Ripa replaced Regis Philbin as the head of the show, and the show was re-titled Live! with Kelly.

2011: Super Saturday Event

In 2011, Kelly Ripa's Super Saturday event raised over $3.5 million for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

September 4, 2012: Live! with Kelly and Michael Premiere

On September 4, 2012, Live! with Kelly and Michael premiered after Michael Strahan was announced as the new co-host.

2012: Hosted TV Land Awards Again

In 2012, Kelly Ripa hosted the TV Land Awards again.

2012: "The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee" Premiere

In 2012, Milojo premiered its first short film, a collaboration with Will Ferrell's Funny or Die entitled "The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee" featuring Ripa, Consuelos, and their son, Michael.