Kelly Ripa Shares Emotional Update on Former Colleague After Retirement: “He Looks 20 Years Younger”

Kelly Ripa recently shared a heartwarming update with viewers of Live with Kelly and Mark, opening up about her recent reunion with Art Moore, the show’s longtime executive producer. Nearly two years after his retirement, the television host revealed that Moore is embracing his new chapter in life and has pleasantly surprised everyone who has seen him.

During the July 15 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, Kelly revealed that she and her husband and co-host, Mark Consuelos, had dinner with Art Moore. Speaking to viewers, she said: “We saw our beloved Art Moore last night for dinner. He is phenomenal. He makes a strong argument for retirement.”

Kelly couldn’t hide her happiness while talking about her longtime colleague. According to her, Art has not only maintained his positive spirit but has also undergone a remarkable transformation since stepping away from work. She joked that he looked “20 years younger” and remained as funny as ever.

Mark Consuelos also shared a lighthearted update about Art’s new routine. “He told us now he wakes up early. He’s a night owl, but he wakes up at 6,” Mark said before turning toward the camera with a smile: “Hey, Art! How you doing, Art?”

As a photo from the dinner appeared on screen, Kelly laughed and added: “What’s so funny is that I realized we’re all wearing blazers. Because we knew we were all having dinner with Art, everybody put on a smart blazer, so we could be elegant.”

Kelly also expressed how much she and the team still miss their former colleague, saying: “We had so much fun. We miss him still here every day. We love you, Art. It was great to see him last night.”

Art Moore officially retired from Live in 2024 after spending 36 years with the show and an impressive 53 years at ABC. His departure marked the end of an extraordinary television career and left an emotional impact on the cast and crew who had worked alongside him for decades.

During Art’s farewell episode, Kelly Ripa became emotional as she addressed the audience: “It’s a day for celebration, a day for joy, and personally for us on the studio floor, a devastating day. It is a day we are celebrating Art Moore’s retirement.”

At the end of that special episode, Kelly raised a glass of sparkling cider in tribute to her longtime colleague and said: “I don’t know where to begin but I will say, this is not us saying goodbye to you. We will never say goodbye to you, as you know.”

She continued with a heartfelt message: “You have been the singular most important person to every single person here. As evidenced by the amount of people that you work with each and every day who love, honor and cherish you and everything you have given to us. You are a giver and we honor you and shower you with our gratitude and love, eternally.”

Art Moore has long been regarded as one of the most influential figures behind the scenes of Live. Over more than three decades, he helped shape the program into one of America’s most successful daytime talk shows. Although he rarely appeared on camera, hosts and staff members often described him as the heart and soul of the production.

Few people understand Art Moore’s impact better than Kelly Ripa. She joined Live in February 2001 as Regis Philbin’s co-host. Following Regis’ retirement, she went on to host the show alongside Michael Strahan and later Ryan Seacrest before her husband, Mark Consuelos, officially joined her as co-host in 2023.

The addition of Mark transformed the show into Live with Kelly and Mark, bringing an even more personal and relaxed dynamic to the program. The couple frequently shares stories about their family life, personal experiences, and reunions with former colleagues, creating a warm atmosphere that has resonated with audiences.

Beyond her television career, Kelly Ripa is recognized as one of the most successful and influential daytime television personalities in the United States. She has won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and is also a television producer through Milojo Productions, the company she co-founded with Mark Consuelos.

Kelly and Mark have been married since 1996 after meeting on the set of the daytime drama All My Children. Their marriage is widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s longest-lasting relationships. Together, they have three children—Michael, Lola, and Joaquin—and often speak about family life both on television and in interviews.

Throughout more than two decades in the spotlight, Kelly Ripa has largely stayed away from major controversies. Instead, she has earned a reputation for her professionalism, warmth, quick wit, and the genuine relationships she has built with colleagues. She has often described the Live team as a family whose members remain connected long after leaving the show.

For that reason, the recent reunion with Art Moore was far more than a simple dinner among former coworkers. It reflected the lasting friendships forged through decades of working together and highlighted the deep respect and affection Kelly and Mark continue to have for the man who helped shape the program’s success.

Although Art Moore has stepped away from the television spotlight, he appears to be enjoying a fulfilling retirement after dedicating most of his life to broadcasting. For Kelly Ripa, seeing her longtime colleague again was not only an opportunity to reminisce about cherished memories, but also a chance to express her gratitude and affection on behalf of the entire Live family—a team to which Art devoted nearly his entire career.