Kelly Ripa

The actress' assignment on Live With Regis represented the denouement of a long, suspenseful, and nationally publicized search after Gifford withdrew in mid-2000. In the final analysis, many insiders felt that executive producer Michael Gelman and others had clearly made the right choice, for then-30-year-old Ripa's ascent to the co-host's chair helped the show reel in the highest ratings of its multi-decade run. Moreover, the program's fans asserted that the central banter between "Reege" and his hostess had never once been livelier, more entertaining or more fluid.

In mid-2003, the peppy Ripa signed for another popular small-screen gig, albeit in a completely different venue: she and Faith Ford (Murphy Brown) played reunited sisters -- Ripa one of the glitterati, Ford a low-key suburban wife and mother -- on the situation comedy Hope & Faith. The program debuted that fall and lasted for three seasons. Ripa guest-hosted Saturday Night Live in November 2003; she and Regis are also frequent guests on Late Night with David Letterman. In addition to small-screen work, Ripa's resumé includes a bit part in the Muppet specials Sesame Street: Elmo's World -- Happy Holidays! and It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, as well as the Steve Martin comedy remake Cheaper by the Dozen (2003). ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide