Kelly Ripa recently had a nostalgic moment on Live with Kelly and Mark when she welcomed former All My Children co-star Lacey Chabert to the show.
The reunion brought back fond memories from their time on the beloved soap opera, where both actresses shared the screen in the early 1990s.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Lacey Chabert, best known for her role in Mean Girls and her extensive career in Hallmark films, appeared on Live to promote her latest movie, An Unexpected Valentine.
While discussing her career, the conversation took a sentimental turn when Kelly asked if All My Children was her first major acting role.
Lacey revealed that while she had made a few TV appearances before,
her time on All My Children as Bianca Montgomery—the daughter of Susan Lucci’s iconic character Erica Kane—was among her earliest experiences in the industry. She portrayed Bianca from 1992 to 1993, during the same time that Kelly was starring as Hayley Vaughan, a role she played regularly until 2002.
A Sweet Surprise for Kelly
During their chat, Lacey delighted Kelly by recalling her impression of her former co-star from their time on the show.
“You know what I remember from All My Children? You,” Lacey told Kelly. “Susan Lucci was wonderful, and it was so much fun, but I remember you.”
Kelly, visibly touched and surprised by the sentiment, reacted with an astonished, “Really?” as Lacey continued to praise her.
“I thought that you were just the coolest, and I was like, ‘I wanna be just like you,’” Lacey gushed.
Kelly, always quick with humor, responded playfully, joking that now as an adult, Lacey might realize that she was actually struggling and just a “goofy weirdo” back then. However, Lacey insisted that Kelly was still just as inspiring, sweetly adding, “You’re still the best, and I still wanna be just like you.”
Mark Consuelos, Kelly’s husband and co-host—who also starred on All My Children—chimed in with an affectionate “Aww,” adding, “She was very, very, very cool.”
Kelly’s Journey from All My Children to Live
Kelly’s career on All My Children began in 1990, and she remained a staple on the soap until she made the transition to morning television in 2001. When Regis Philbin was looking for a new co-host for Live!, Kelly was chosen for the job, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her career.
But All My Children didn’t just launch her career—it also changed her life in a deeply personal way.
A Love Story That Started on Set
Kelly met Mark Consuelos in 1995 when he auditioned for the role of Mateo Santos. Their chemistry was instant, both on and off screen. After dating for a short time, they briefly split but soon reconciled and eloped in 1996. Their real-life romance mirrored their characters’ love story, making them one of daytime television’s most beloved couples.
Even years later, Kelly continues to express gratitude for the opportunity that led her to Mark. During a recent All My Children retrospective event at the 92Y in New York, she joined former co-stars and key members of the show’s creative team to reflect on the soap opera’s lasting legacy.
During the discussion, casting director Judy Blye Wilson was praised for some of her best casting decisions, including choosing Mark for the role of Mateo. Kelly took the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the impact Judy had on her life.
“If I may add, without Judy, I would literally have nothing. I would not have my husband, I would not have my children,” Kelly shared.
She continued, “You are responsible for every good thing that’s ever happened to us, and I just want to publicly say that. I’ve said it before—without you, I’d have nothing.”
A Lasting Legacy
While All My Children ended in 2011, its impact on its former stars remains undeniable. It launched the careers of many actors, created lifelong friendships, and, in Kelly and Mark’s case, formed a family.
Lacey’s heartfelt tribute to Kelly on Live with Kelly and Mark was a touching reminder of the connections formed on the show and how much Kelly’s kindness and presence meant to her younger co-stars.
As Kelly continues to shine on Live, moments like these prove just how influential her journey from soap opera star to morning show host has been—not just for fans, but for the people who worked alongside her as well.
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