Mark Consuelostearfully announced Monday morning the death of his father, Saul Consuelos, who died while he and wifeKelly Ripawere on a hiatus fromLive With Kelly and Mark.
"Two weeks ago today, my father passed away after a long bout with an illness. He passed away peacefully. Such a fascinating man," Consuelos said at the top of Monday's show, before he and Ripa elaborated on his father's life and legacy.
"You were blessed more because you knew him his whole life. I only got to know my father-in-law for 31 years. But they were the best 31 years of my life," Ripa, Consuelos' wife of nearly 30 years with whom he shares three children, added. "I can honestly say I will miss him every day for the rest of my life, as I know you will, as our children will. He was the greatest person I've ever known. He really is so symbolic of everything you are."
Consuelos then told the audience a few things he remembered about his father, including "a lot of lectures" and that he "learned so much" from him at a young age.
"I learned the most by just watching him... by watching the man he was," Consuelos added. "He came here from Mexico in his early teens. He immigrated here from Mexico, he served his country for 30 years. Ended up in special operations command in Tampa. This young kid from Mexico just got his education through the Navy, was always going to school. Brilliant, got his master's while I was a kid and he loved this country so much."
The 55-year-old actor said that his father would be a "prime example of what this country promises people" who come to the United States as immigrants — most of all because "he raised three pretty good kids."
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"Now we've got to take care of mom. We're trying to convince mom to move to New York," Consuelos said, fighting back tears as he proposed to producer Michael Gelman a cooking segment featuring his mother.
"I have to say, I'm so grateful to your dad for everything he did. A lot of times you'd be away working and we'd take the show on the road, and your dad would come on remotes to take care of the kids so I could go to work," Ripa remembered, adding that her three children "took it particularly hard" because "this is their first loss they've ever experienced in their lives," as they still have three surviving grandparents.
Consuelos finished the announcement by telling theLiveaudience that that he "was able to thankfully get down there and say goodbye" to his father, though he had to pause rehearsals for hisupcoming starring role in the Broadway playFallen Angels. "I really feel like that was such a welcome distraction for me. I knew I had to keep on going, especially during that time. It's been great. I had such a good time doing it. I know he's there watching."
When reached byEntertainment Weeklyfor more information, a representative for Consuelos tellsEntertainment Weekly, "Out of respect for Mark’s dad, who was a private person, we’d prefer to just keep coverage to the remarks Mark shared during host chat" onLive.
Live With Kelly & Markairs weekdays in syndication. Check local listings for showtimes in your area.
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