Kelly Ripa emotionally announces longtime “Live” executive Art Moore's exit: 'He is the reason I'm here'

Ripa and Mark Consuelos celebrated their wedding anniversary as well as Moore's decades of service at ABC.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos celebrated their 28-year anniversary with some bittersweet news, as Ripa announced Wednesday the retirement of their longtime Live production executive Art Moore after 53 years at ABC.

Ripa paid tribute to Moore on Wednesday's episode, and even joked that the personality — whom has made frequent on-camera appearances on Live across the last 36 years — wouldn't be able to leave the program without her.

"I'm convinced that, over the next several months, that I'll be able to talk Art out of retirement because I'm nothing if not relentless," Ripa said, turning to look at Moore as the talk show's studio audience applauded. "He is the reason I'm here and that I've stayed here for all these years. You're so important to me, personally, to our family. You are one in a gazillion, and you mean so much to all of us here. You're the most special, devoted, loyal, extraordinary person I've ever met in my life."

"I lack the vocabulary to properly tell you what you mean to me and all of us here. We love and adore you, and I'll spend the next several months of my life talking you out of this," Ripa finished.

Moore fought back tears as Ripa spoke, while Consuelos cut in with a more hopeful note on Moore's departure, confirming that Moore would remain on with the show until September — all before a "proper send-off" episode airs.

Prior to joining the Live family 36 years ago, Moore worked for local ABC stations in Buffalo and Philadelphia. He's been a fixture on Live for nearly four decades, overseeing numerous cohosts including Regis Philbin, Kathie Lee Gifford, Michael Strahan, and Ryan Seacrest.

Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings for showtimes in your area.

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