New York, November 2 – Morning TV took a rare, somber turn today as Kelly Ripa stepped away from her usual on-air sparkle to deliver a deeply emotional tribute to her longtime friend and former co-host, Ryan Seacrest, following the passing of his beloved father, Gary Seacrest.

The “Live with Kelly and Mark” host opened the show by announcing that she would momentarily pause the live broadcast to “stand in solidarity” with Ryan and his family during their time of grief. Looking visibly emotional, Ripa told viewers, “We’ve lost a father, a mentor, and a dear friend. Ryan, we are with you — always.”

According to earlier reports, Gary Seacrest, a former U.S. Army major and broadcast executive, had been battling prostate cancer and more recently developed complications from pneumonia. Ryan, who hosts both American Idol and Wheel of Fortune, reportedly left Los Angeles earlier this week to be with his family in Atlanta as his father’s condition worsened.

Ripa — who shared the “Live” stage with Seacrest from 2017 to 2023 — said the news had “broken her heart,” calling Gary “a remarkable man who raised one of the kindest souls I’ve ever known.” She continued, “Ryan and I have been through so many milestones together — births, farewells, career changes. But nothing prepares you for losing a parent. Today isn’t about TV. It’s about love and family.”

Producers confirmed that Friday’s broadcast of Live with Kelly and Mark began later than scheduled and aired in a shortened format to give Ripa time to address the loss privately before resuming the show. Sources described the atmosphere inside the New York studio as “quiet but supportive,” with crew members joining Ripa in observing a moment of silence for Gary Seacrest before the cameras rolled again.

The heartfelt gesture drew widespread praise online, with fans flooding social media to commend Kelly’s empathy and compassion. One viewer wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Kelly Ripa proving once again that behind the glam, she’s pure heart. Ryan is lucky to have a friend like her.” Another commented, “What a beautiful way to honor a man who clearly meant so much to Ryan.”

Seacrest has yet to make a public statement confirming his father’s death, but earlier this month he had opened up on his radio show about Gary’s declining health, calling him “the rock of our family” and “the reason I fell in love with broadcasting.” He added, “Watching him struggle has been the hardest thing I’ve ever faced.”

Kelly Ripa and her husband, actor Mark Consuelos, reportedly reached out privately to Ryan and his mother, Connie Seacrest, offering to fly to Atlanta to attend a small family service. A close friend of the trio told TV Insider, “Kelly and Mark adored Gary. They used to joke that he was the original ‘Live’ audience because he watched every single morning from home.”

The Live host’s decision to alter her show’s schedule for the tribute is a rare move in daytime television — one that underscores the real-life bond behind the glossy façade of morning talk shows. Industry peers have lauded the moment as “a reminder that humanity still comes first, even in entertainment.”

Ripa ended her brief address with a quiet reflection: “In our business, we’re taught that the show must go on. But sometimes, your heart needs a moment to catch up. Today, I’m giving it that moment.”

After her remarks, Live resumed with pre-taped segments and a musical performance. Sources at ABC confirmed the show will return to its regular live schedule next week, but Friday’s broadcast will “remain a moment everyone remembers.”

Though he’s now balancing multiple major hosting roles, Ryan Seacrest’s partnership with Kelly Ripa remains one of the most beloved eras in morning television. The pair’s on-air chemistry and off-screen friendship transformed Live into one of America’s most-watched talk shows — and moments like today’s prove that connection endures beyond the cameras.

As tributes continue to pour in, fans and colleagues alike are rallying behind Ryan, sending prayers and words of comfort. And for Kelly Ripa, the pause in her broadcast wasn’t just television history — it was a heartfelt message: that even in the world of bright lights and big ratings, grief and love still deserve their moment in the spotlight.