Kelly Ripa had been performing in her senior high school play, The Ugly Duckling, when she was approached by her current manager, Cathy Parker, who encouraged her to pursue acting. After attending new Jersey's Camden County Community College, she performed in local theater productions before joining All My Children in November, 1990. Kelly has received nominations for a 1993 Daytime Emmy Award and a 1993 Soap Opera Award. Kelly, is the first in her family to enter the acting profession. She had studied ballet since age three, plays the piano and, in her words, is "no Barbra Streisand", but can carry a tune.
Live with Regis (1989): $36,000 per episode [Five Year Contract for that salary from 2004 to 2009]
Married her All My Children co-star, Mark Consuelos, on May 1, 1996. They have three children: Michael Joseph, June 2, 1997, Lola Grace, June 16, 2001, 8lbs 3oz. and Joaquin Antonio, February 24, 2003, 8lbs 5oz. Participated in the ABC First-Ever Super Soap Weekend at Disney/MGM Studios, FL on October 19 and 20, 1996. During the 80s, when Kelly appeared on Dance Party USA, her career goal was to be a newscaster, and she often did Dance Party USA cast news reports. Awarded #19 in E! Rank's Top 25 Blondes. Kelly regularly chooses to host entire episodes of Live with Regis barefoot. Attended Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees, New Jersey (class of 1989). Named one of E!'s "top 20 entertainers of 2001." Named one of People Magazine's "25 Most Intriguing People of 2001". Her father, Joe, was sworn in (6th January 2004) as the County Freeholder for Camden County in the state of New Jersey. The ceremony took place at the Scottish Rites Auditorium in the New Jersey city of Collingswood. She grew up in the nearby town of Voorhees. Does the narration for The Learning Channel's (TLC) Maternity Ward. She and her husband, Mark Consuelos, attended Star Jones' wedding to Al Reynolds. Is a fan of The Apprentice and Wife Swap. She and her husband, Mark Consuelos, attended Donald Trump's wedding to Melania Trump. Daughter of Esther Ripa and Joseph Ripa. Sister of Linda Ripa. Announced on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2006 that she is 3/4 Italian and 1/4 Irish. Her father is full Italian American and her mother is Italian and Irish American. Ranked as #85 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. (2005) Her father, Joe, is a Camden County Freeholder (New Jersey version of a County Commissioner.) He was first elected in 2002. In September 2006, she was involved in two attempts to break the Guinness World Record for Most Custard Pies Thrown in One Minute during segments on Live with Regis & Kelly. She was on the receiving end when NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth initially broke the record with 17 pies thrown. The following day, Kelly herself broke that record, throwing 22 pies at Wilmer Valderrama. Former high school cheerleader. Named #81 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006). Kelly is a very big fan of Madonna. Ranked #85 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list. Best friends and roommates with Laura Wright from 1991-1993. Good friend of her Hope & Faith co-star Faith Ford.