Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Get Emotional Announcing Departure of Longtime 'Live' Employee

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

The entire Live with Kelly and Mark crew is saying goodbye to a valued member of their team.

On Wednesday, May 1, co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos shared a special tribute to honor the retirement of longtime executive Art Moore, who has been at the network for over 53 years. He will officially depart from his role in the fall.

Moore, who first joined the ABC family in 1966, is the WABC-TV New York vice president of programming and the longtime executive in charge of production for Live with Kelly and Mark and its earlier iterations.

The television vet appeared visibly emotional during Wednesday's broadcast while announcing his retirement, as Ripa, 53, seemed to still be in denial about the news.

"I’m convinced that, over the next several months, that I’ll be able to talk Art out of retirement because I’m nothing if not relentless," the actress and TV host told the audience.

She went on to explain that Moore has played a pivotal role in her own career at the network.

"Art is the reason, I say it all the time and I mean it, he is the reason I am here and have stayed here for all these years," she stated.

"You are so, so important to me personally, to our family. You are one in a gazillion," she added.

Moore chose to announce the news on Wednesday, May 1, which is actually the anniversary of his joining the network. (It also happens to be Ripa and Consuelos' wedding anniversary.)

"53 years with the ABC family," Consuelos, 53, reiterated, while Moore chimed in to joke, "And I'm only 42 which is amazing!"

Moore will continue his role as the executive in charge of production at Live with Kelly and Mark until September, when the show's 37th season kicks off.

Next: 'Live's Mark Consuelos Shocks Kelly Ripa with On-Air Admission About Kissing a Fan