All My ChildrenCasting Director Had to 'Beg' to Get Mark Consuelos on Show

Mar. 15, 2025

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Mark Consueloswas almost passed up for the life-changing role of Mateo Santos inAll My Children.

The soap opera’s casting director, Judy Blye Wilson, opened up about the challenges she faced securing the role for Consuelos during a Jan. 14 appearance at the 92NY in New York City.

“I don’t know why they were dragging their heels on it, but they actually had him play the role, so he started playing the role, and I had to continue to search for another person. So we screen-tested Mark several times,” Wilson told the audience at the eventSusan Lucciin Conversation withAndy Cohen:All My Children at 55. “Finally, I begged the producer, and she relinquished, and it turned out to be the best, one of the best parts I ever cast."

The role introduced Consuelos, 53, to his future wife,Kelly Ripa, as he played the love interest to her character, Hayley Vaughan, for nearly a decade. However, after his 1995All My Childrenaudition, Wilson said she had to convince execs that Consuelos was perfect for the part.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos as Hayley and Mateo on ‘All My Children’ in 1995.Ann Limongello/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Ann Limongello/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

As Wilson advocated for Consuelos’ casting, it wasn’t hard to persuade Ripa, 54. Ripa alsoattended Tuesday’sAll My Childrenat 55talk.

“They couldn’t make a decision about Mark, and I was so behind him,” Wilson said, “And I brought Kelly into my office, and I showed her a black and white picture of him and his head shot, and shereallyliked him,really.”

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Ripa recalled that moment in a 2019 interview withBruce Bozzi on his SiriusXM radio show. She saidshe knew Consuelos was “the one"when she first saw his picture.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos at the 2024 TIME100 Gala held at Jazz at Lincoln Center.Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty

Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty

“They had been looking for this character for some time. They were looking really for a Latino actor,” Ripa said. “And so I had auditioned every Latino actor in the city and around the city and then California. And then all of a sudden, Judy Blye Wilson, who was the casting director atAll My Children, said, ‘I found him.'”

After meeting on set in 1995, Consuelos and Ripaeloped in 1996. After they exitedAll My Childrenin 2002, they hadsome of their own children:Michael,JoaquinandLola.

Consuelos and Ripa still work together as the hosts ofLive! with Kelly and Mark, sinceConsuelos replacedRyan Seacrestin 2023. That year, Consuelos also earned the honor ofPEOPLE’s sexiest morning show host.

The couple also relishes the hours their talk show schedule provides.

source: people.com