Kelly Ripa Makes A Heartbreaking Confession About Co-Star's Passing

Every day for a decade, Kelly Ripa and Regis Philbin sat side-by-side to wish millions of viewers a cheery "Good morning!" Their chemistry seemed so natural, though many fans were curious about just how well the Live stars got along when the cameras weren't rolling. Were they actually best friends? Was there a hint of a rivalry between them? Well, following Regis' passing, Kelly spoke up about what her co-host really meant to her.

The official statement

Following the death of Philbin in July 2020, the hosts of Live with Kelly and Ryan published a joint statement — though that, of course, didn't tell the whole story. "We are beyond saddened to learn about the loss of Regis Philbin. He was the ultimate class act, bringing his laughter and joy into our homes every day on Live for more than 23 years," they said.

Buried feelings

From there, Kelly and Ryan continued, "We were beyond lucky to have him as a mentor in our careers and aspire everyday to fill his shoes on the show. We send our deepest love and condolences to his family and hope they can find some comfort in knowing he left the world a better place." Still, fans were curious how Ripa really felt, given her often complicated relationship with Philbin.

Ripa's path

After all, Regis helped turn Kelly Ripa from a television performer into a television star. In the 1990s, All My Children cemented her as a reliable soap opera star, but Ripa's career easily could've been caught in limbo if she didn't branch out into other opportunities. Kelly wasn't the only one in need of a change either.

The co-host search

It's easy to forget that 2000 was a tense time for both of them. Regis' longtime partner-in-crime Kathie Lee Gifford chose to depart, ending a 12-year coupling of the biggest duo in daytime TV. Live searched far and wide for a suitable replacement, auditioning everyone from Lisa Rinna to Rosie O'Donnell.