Mark Consuelos
Explore the life, rise to fame, acting roles, and personal life of Mark Consuelos — Spanish-born American actor and talk show host, best known for All My Children, Riverdale, and Live with Kelly & Mark.
Introduction
Mark Andrew Consuelos (born March 30, 1971) is a Spanish-born American actor, television personality, and talk show host. He gained recognition for his portrayal of Mateo Santos on the soap opera All My Children, later became well known for the role of Hiram Lodge on Riverdale, and, in recent years, has taken on a new chapter as co-host of Live with Kelly & Mark alongside his wife, Kelly Ripa. His career spans acting, producing, media crossover, and public life.
Early Life & Background
Mark Consuelos was born in Zaragoza, Spain, to an Italian mother, Camilla, and a Mexican father, Saul Consuelos. He is the youngest of three children; his siblings are an older brother, who became a doctor, and an older sister, who became a lawyer.
During his childhood, he lived in Italy and the United States. He spent part of his upbringing in Lebanon, Illinois, and later in Brandon, Florida. He attended Bloomingdale Senior High School in Valrico, Florida.
Consuelos first enrolled at the University of Notre Dame, but later transferred to the University of South Florida, where he earned a B.A. in Marketing in 1994.
Acting Career & Breakthrough
All My Children & Soap Opera Fame
Consuelos’s major break came in February 1995, when he was cast as Mateo Santos on the long-running ABC soap opera All My Children. In that show, his on-screen chemistry with co-star Kelly Ripa (who played Hayley Vaughan) not only became a key element of the storyline but also blossomed into a real-life marriage.
He played Mateo from 1995 until 2002, and returned for a stint in 2010. During his soap years, Consuelos earned acclaim and won multiple awards, including the American Latino Media Arts Award for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Soap Opera (1998–1999).
Transition to Film & Television
After All My Children, Consuelos expanded his career into primetime television, film, and other formats:
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He appeared in The Great Raid (2005).
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In My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006) he played Steve.
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He had guest roles on shows like Law & Order: SVU, Friends, Third Watch, Missing, and Hope & Faith.
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In the anthology horror series American Horror Story: Asylum, he played Spivey (2012–2013).
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From 2017 to 2023, he portrayed Hiram Lodge in the CW teen drama Riverdale.
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In 2023, he officially became co-host of Live with Kelly & Mark, replacing Ryan Seacrest.
Consuelos also participated in hosting and reality formats, like Age of Love and Science of Love on NBC.
Personal Life & Family
Marriage and Children
Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa married on May 1, 1996, shortly after meeting on the set of All My Children. They have three children:
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Michael Joseph (born June 2, 1997)
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Lola Grace (born June 16, 2001)
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Joaquin Antonio (born February 24, 2003)
Other Personal Aspects
In 2008, Consuelos officiated the wedding of Howard Stern and Beth Ostrosky, after being ordained to make the ceremony official.
Mark and Kelly have lived in New York City. For several years they resided in a SoHo apartment, which they sold in 2015 for around $20 million, then moved to a townhouse on the Upper East Side.
Style, Public Image & Influence
Consuelos’s public presence combines stardom, crossover media roles, and longevity. Some significant traits:
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He transitioned from soap opera star to multifaceted actor and media figure, which not all soap actors manage successfully.
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His long marriage to Kelly Ripa is frequently cited in media—in part because they continue to collaborate professionally (especially via Live).
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He often portrays complex, sometimes antagonistic characters (such as Hiram Lodge in Riverdale), showing his range beyond romantic leads.
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In 2024, he and Kelly won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host for Live with Kelly & Mark.
His journey demonstrates adaptability, reinvention, and balancing family and high-profile career demands.
Lessons from Mark Consuelos’s Journey
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Seizing breakout roles
A role in a soap opera provided his springboard into long-term acting visibility. -
Diversification matters
Expanding from daytime drama to primetime, films, hosting, and producing helps maintain relevance over time. -
Partnership in life and work
His marriage to Kelly Ripa has been both personal and professional, showing how collaboration and mutual support can amplify success. -
Evolving with media shifts
Taking the leap into daytime talk shows in his mid-50s shows he remains willing to adapt and reinvent. -
Balancing public and private
Despite a high-profile life, Consuelos maintains a sense of family priority and continuity.