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 stage with notable co-hosts like Regis Philbin, Michael Strahan, Ryan Seacrest, and her current co-host and husband, Mark Consuelos. Her long tenure on Live! has solidified her status as a significant figure in daytime television.

Sections (4)

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

1986: Dancer on Dancin' On Air

In 1986, Kelly Ripa gained her first national television exposure as a dancer on Dancin' On Air.

1990: All My Children role

In 1990, Kelly Ripa played Hayley Vaughan on All My Children.

1990: Cast in All My Children

In 1990, Kelly Ripa was cast in her first major acting role as Hayley Vaughan on All My Children.

1996: Best Friday premiere score

In 1996, Hope & Faith gave ABC its best Friday premiere score since 1996.

1996: Appearance in Marvin's Room

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

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1999: Involvement with MADD

In 1999, Kelly Ripa became involved with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) after her sister was almost killed by a drunk driver.

November 1, 2000: Live! with Regis Tryout

On November 1, 2000, during Kelly Ripa's tryout for Live! with Regis, psychic Char Margolis guessed Ripa was pregnant, which she hadn't yet told her boss.

February 5, 2001: Official Replacement Announcement

On February 5, 2001, Kelly Ripa was announced as the official replacement on Live! with Regis.

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-host of Live!

In 2001, Kelly Ripa became the co-host of the syndicated morning talk show Live! with Kelly and Mark, in various formats.

2001: Co-hosted Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade

In 2001, Kelly Ripa began co-hosting the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade.

2002: Departure from 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 in Hope & Faith

In 2003, Kelly Ripa began her role as Faith Fairfield on the ABC sitcom Hope & Faith.

May 2006: End of Hope & Faith

In May 2006, Kelly Ripa's role as Faith Fairfield on the ABC sitcom Hope & Faith came to an end.

2006: End of Hope & Faith

In 2006, Kelly Ripa's role as Faith Fairfield on the ABC sitcom Hope & Faith came to an end.

2007: Founded Milojo Productions

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

2007: Hosted the TV Land Awards

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

2008: The Streak Premieres

In 2008, Milojo's first 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: End of Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade hosting

In 2009, Kelly Ripa stopped co-hosting 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 he would be retiring from Live! at the end of the year.

May 2011: Off the Rez Premieres

In May 2011, Milojo's film, Off the Rez, premiered on TLC after being accepted to the Tribeca Film Festival.

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November 18, 2011: Regis Philbin's Final Show

On November 18, 2011, Regis Philbin's final show on Live! aired, during which Kelly Ripa tearfully reminisced about their time together.

November 21, 2011: Debut of Live! with Kelly

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

2011: Super Saturday Fundraiser

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, with Michael Strahan as the new co-host.

2012: Hosted the TV Land Awards

In 2012, Kelly Ripa hosted the TV Land Awards to very positive reviews.

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.