Mark Consuelos
A charismatic actor who evolved from a soap opera heartthrob into a versatile television mainstay and daytime talk show co-host with his wife.
Born 1971 (age 55)·American actor and talk show host·Birthday: March 30·Generation X
Biography
Mark Consuelos built a career on steady charm and reliable presence. He first captured attention as the brooding Mateo Santos on 'All My Children,' a role that also introduced him to his future wife and professional partner, Kelly Ripa. Unlike many soap actors, Consuelos seamlessly transitioned to primetime, showing a knack for both drama and comedy in series like 'Hope & Faith' and 'American Horror Story.' His most defining later role came as the ruthlessly ambitious Hiram Lodge on 'Riverdale,' where he played a villain with such slick, paternal menace that he became a fan favorite. This longevity on television prepared him for his most personal venture: stepping into the co-host chair on 'Live!' alongside Ripa. Their on-air chemistry, built on decades of marriage, transformed the show into a relatable, often hilarious domestic comedy. Consuelos's journey reflects a smart actor who understood his strengths—screen presence, timing, and a grounded authenticity—and parlayed them into a durable and multifaceted entertainment career.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Mark was born in 1971, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mark Was Born
The biggest hits of 1971
#1 Movie
Fiddler on the Roof
Best Picture
The French Connection
#1 TV Show
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Mark's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1971Born
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1976Started school
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1984Became a teenager
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Could drive
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1989Could vote
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Turned 21
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2001Turned 30
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 40
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 50
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 55 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Hiram Lodge for six seasons on the hit CW series 'Riverdale', becoming a central antagonist.
- Co-hosts the nationally syndicated daytime talk show 'Live with Kelly and Mark' with his wife, Kelly Ripa.
- Played a leading role as Mateo Santos on the ABC daytime soap opera 'All My Children' for several years.
- Appeared in multiple seasons of 'American Horror Story' in varied and memorable guest roles.
Did You Know?
He met his wife, Kelly Ripa, on his first day auditioning for 'All My Children'; they married in 1996.
He and Kelly Ripa eloped and were married in a surprise ceremony in Las Vegas.
He was born in Zaragoza, Spain, while his father, who was in the U.S. military, was stationed there.
He is a part-owner of the Spanish football club UE Cornellà.
“Show up prepared, do the work, and let the performance speak for itself.”
