Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ oldest son has carved his own path in entertainment, building a fortune that’s impressive for someone just 28 years old. Michael Consuelos has quietly accumulated an estimated net worth of $1.2 million through acting roles, production work, and the occasional boost from his famous family. While that might sound modest compared to his parents’ combined $160 million fortune, it shows he’s working hard to create something of his own.
Quick Facts: Michael Consuelos
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Joseph Consuelos |
| Date of Birth | June 2, 1997 |
| Age | 28 years old |
| Birthplace | New York City, USA |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Parents | Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos |
| Siblings | Lola Consuelos, Joaquin Consuelos |
| Education | NYU Tisch School of the Arts (Film & TV Production) |
| Current Residence | Brooklyn, New York |
| Net Worth | $1.2 million (2024-2025) |
| Profession | Actor, Producer, Writer |
Who Is Michael Consuelos?
Born on June 2, 1997, Michael Joseph Consuelos grew up in the spotlight as the first child of television power couple Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. His parents met on the set of the soap opera “All My Children” and fell in love quickly, eloping to Las Vegas in 1996. A year later, Michael arrived, instantly becoming part of Hollywood’s favorite family story.
Now 28, Michael lives in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, choosing independence over living in his parents’ $27 million Manhattan townhouse. He looks almost identical to his father—so much so that casting directors eventually had him play the younger version of Mark’s character on “Riverdale.” Standing at 5’7″ with dark hair and that signature Consuelos smile, Michael has turned his resemblance into opportunity while trying to build his own identity.
Unlike many celebrity kids who chase fame on social media, Michael keeps things relatively private. His Instagram account focuses more on work projects and family moments than personal drama. He’s admitted he “won the lottery” by having Kelly and Mark as parents, showing he understands his advantages better than most people in his position.
Growing Up Consuelos: Early Life and Education
Michael’s childhood was anything but typical. He spent time on soap opera sets, watched his mom prepare for “Live” tapings, and got babysat by future movie star Josh Duhamel between takes. Despite the surreal environment, Kelly and Mark worked hard to keep things normal. They didn’t want their kids thinking they were special just because their parents were on television.
School brought Michael some much-needed normalcy. He ran cross country and made first-team All-Ivy during his senior year in 2016. When college decision time came around, he picked New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. The choice made sense—he could study film production while staying close to family in New York City.
A chance encounter during his campus tour sealed the deal. Christopher Goutman, who directed Kelly and Mark on “All My Children,” had become a Tisch professor. He told Michael, “You have to come here because I am literally the reason you exist!” That line worked.
At NYU, Michael focused on film and television production, learning directing, screenwriting, and cinematography. He graduated in May 2020 during the pandemic, which turned out to be terrible timing. His virtual graduation ceremony missed the traditional celebration, though he got a do-over in 2022 with Taylor Swift as the speaker.
College also taught Michael about budgets. Kelly famously joked on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that Michael was living in “extreme poverty” in Brooklyn, managing his own money for the first time. The comment sparked backlash since most people don’t consider a wealthy celebrity’s son at an expensive private university “poor,” but it showed Kelly and Mark’s parenting approach—they wanted Michael to understand financial responsibility.
Acting Career: Following Famous Footsteps
Michael started acting young, doing voice work at age seven. He voiced Alien Gremmie in “Duck Dodgers” in 2004 and later worked on “Go, Diego! Go!” These early gigs probably came through family connections, giving him union membership before middle school.
His first real acting test came in 2018 when he auditioned for “Riverdale.” His father Mark played Hiram Lodge, the show’s main villain, and producers wanted someone to play the younger version for flashback episodes. The audition room was packed with guys who looked like Mark—dark hair, similar features, that Consuelos intensity. Michael had to compete and prove he deserved the role.
“I was so nervous because I had never auditioned for anything before,” Michael admitted on his mom’s show. He won the part and appeared in several episodes between 2018 and 2021 as Teen Hiram Lodge. The highlight came in Season 5’s “Citizen Lodge” episode, which explored Hiram’s backstory. Mark even played Michael’s on-screen father, creating a real-life father-son moment on television.
Mark couldn’t hide his pride. “This is such an honor for me. It’s a bucket list, absolutely, as a father,” he told reporters. He kept sneaking onto set just to watch Michael work.
Michael’s next project raised eyebrows. In 2022, he starred in the Lifetime movie “Let’s Get Physical,” produced by his parents’ company Milojo Productions. Playing a character named Petey—a sweet, somewhat naive guy—Michael took heat for accepting a role his parents produced. But he defended the choice: “When you are starting out, when something is offered, you take it. I was grateful for the opportunity.”
Interestingly, Michael wants to play villains like his dad, not nice guys. “I really enjoy villainous characters. That’s more fun to play, and I haven’t done it yet,” he shared. He’s been waiting for the right bad-guy role that lets him explore darker characters.
The Production Career Pivot
Graduating during COVID-19 changed everything for Michael. He had a writing job lined up in entertainment, but the pandemic shut down production across Hollywood. The job disappeared, leaving him unemployed with a brand-new film degree.
Kelly talked about it publicly on “Live,” explaining how hard the job market had become for recent graduates. “Job opportunities aren’t what they were,” she said, revealing that she and Mark gave Michael “a grace period of an additional year to find other job opportunities because it’s hard.”
That decision sparked debate. Critics said wealthy parents shouldn’t publicly complain about their kids struggling when they have millions in the bank. But Kelly’s point was valid—even privileged kids faced career challenges during the pandemic’s economic chaos.
Michael used that time wisely. He’d worked as a production assistant on “The Goldbergs” back in 2018, getting a taste of behind-the-scenes work. By 2022, he’d landed at Bravo television, working as an associate producer on “The Real Housewives” franchises.
Andy Cohen, a close family friend who runs Bravo, praised Michael’s work. “He worked on Jersey Housewives, he worked on this new season of New York,” Cohen told audiences. Michael’s job involves story producing—finding compelling drama, interviewing cast members, and capturing authentic moments during filming.
Reality TV production isn’t glamorous. Producers work 12-16 hour days managing explosive personalities and constant pressure. When Michael appeared on “Live” in December 2023, his mom asked how work was going. “I’m still sane,” he joked, acknowledging two years of “Housewives” drama takes its toll.
But the work provides stability. Associate producers on reality shows typically earn $70,000-$100,000 annually, giving Michael steady income while he pursues other creative projects.
Breaking Down the $1.2 Million Fortune
Michael’s estimated $1.2 million net worth comes from multiple sources. His “Riverdale” appearances likely generated $50,000-$75,000 total when you include base pay and residuals from streaming. Guest stars on hour-long shows earn around $5,700 per episode minimum through SAG-AFTRA, and residuals add up when shows stream on Netflix and air in syndication.
“Let’s Get Physical” probably paid $75,000-$100,000 for the leading role. Lifetime movie actors typically earn in that range depending on the budget and their negotiating power.
His Bravo production work since 2022 has generated roughly $210,000-$300,000 over three years. Working on multiple “Real Housewives” shows simultaneously could push earnings higher since producers often juggle projects.
Here’s where things get complicated. Michael has also received significant family support. His parents likely paid his $50,000+ annual NYU tuition, covered living expenses during college, and provided financial help during his pandemic job search. Wealthy families often set up trust funds for their kids, providing steady passive income.
Conservative estimates suggest family support and gifts total $400,000-$500,000 over Michael’s lifetime. This doesn’t mean he hasn’t worked—he clearly has. But his net worth includes both money he’s earned and money his parents provided.
For a 28-year-old in entertainment, $1.2 million is exceptional. Most Americans in their late twenties have around $10,000 in net worth. Most actors in the Screen Actors Guild earn under $5,000 yearly from acting. Michael’s fortune reflects his earning power and his family’s wealth working together.
Creative Dreams: Writing Horror Novels
While Michael produces reality television for income, his real passion is writing horror fiction. Stephen King is his literary hero, and he’s working on novels inspired by King’s descriptive, immersive style.
This love of description actually hurt him in film school. Screenplays need to be economical—maximum information in minimum space. Michael would spend pages describing scenes that should take three lines. “I would get marked down on my screenplays because I would spend ages describing something you typically just do in three lines,” he explained. “I’d go, ‘That’s not enough!'”
That creative friction led to a realization. He wasn’t meant to be a screenwriter. Novels let his descriptive style shine without format constraints. He’s been “writing like crazy” during nights and weekends, working on horror projects that may never get published or might become bestsellers. Literary success is unpredictable.
But Michael doesn’t seem to be doing it for money. His Bravo salary covers bills. Writing fulfills something creative that reality TV production can’t. Whether his books find publishers and readers remains unknown, but the fact he’s trying shows genuine artistic ambition beyond collecting a paycheck.
The Nepotism Question Everyone Asks
There’s no way around it—Michael is a “nepo baby,” the term for celebrity children who benefit from famous parents. He got his “Riverdale” audition because his dad was already on the show. He works at Bravo for family friend Andy Cohen. His parents produced a movie starring him. These opportunities wouldn’t exist without the Consuelos name.
To his credit, Michael acknowledges this reality. “I won the lottery by having Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa as parents,” he’s said publicly. That self-awareness matters more than people might think. Some celebrity kids insist they’ve succeeded purely through talent and hard work, denying obvious advantages. Michael doesn’t play that game.
But acknowledging privilege doesn’t mean he hasn’t worked. The “Riverdale” audition room was full of actors who resembled his dad—his genetics gave him a shot, but he still had to beat similar-looking competition. His production work at Bravo requires real skills. Reality TV producers can’t coast on family names when managing cast drama and delivering compelling television. Andy Cohen wouldn’t keep him employed if he sucked at the job, friendship or not.
Kelly and Mark also tried setting boundaries. When Ryan Seacrest offered his Los Angeles house for Michael to stay in while pursuing acting, Kelly shut it down. “That’s too nice. You need to struggle,” she told Michael on air. The “grace period” after graduation came with a one-year limit—after that, he needed to find work.
These aren’t real hardships compared to what most people face. But they show parents trying to instill work ethic despite their wealth. The result is someone using privileges to build a career, not just living off family money without purpose.
Life in Brooklyn: Lifestyle and Personal Choices
Michael lives in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood rather than his parents’ Manhattan mansion, signaling his desire for independence. Bushwick is known for artists, young professionals, and entertainment workers—Michael fits right in. One-bedroom apartments there rent for $2,000-$3,500 monthly, manageable on his production salary but hardly luxurious.
He’s known in his family for raiding his father’s closet. “He always notices,” Michael admitted. “I’m like, ‘You weren’t home. You were in Vancouver.’ He’s like, ‘Don’t figure, ask!'” This detail is oddly humanizing—even millionaires’ kids borrow clothes from their dads.
Michael keeps his romantic life completely private. As of 2024-2025, no public relationships have been confirmed. He doesn’t use his social media to share personal drama or relationship updates, unlike many people his age. His Instagram focuses on work projects and occasional family moments.
His hobbies include running through New York City streets, reading constantly (especially Stephen King), and writing his horror novels. He’s described himself as “constantly reading” books and audiobooks, suggesting someone who genuinely loves storytelling beyond career ambitions.
What’s Next for Michael Consuelos?
At 28 with $1.2 million in the bank, Michael’s financial future looks bright. His Bravo production work provides stability and could lead to advancement. Associate producers can become senior producers, showrunners, or executives earning $200,000-$500,000+ annually.
His writing remains the wild card. If he finishes and sells a horror novel, it could change everything. Debut authors typically receive $5,000-$100,000 advances depending on the publisher’s enthusiasm. If the book succeeds—strong sales, film adaptation interest, series potential—it could dramatically boost his wealth and profile. Stephen King sold his first novel “Carrie” for $2,500 in 1973, and it launched a $500 million career. Lightning rarely strikes twice, but it’s possible.
Michael also wants to return to acting, specifically playing villains. If casting directors start seeing him as “Mark Consuelos’ son who can play bad guys,” that’s a marketable niche. Television needs actors who portray complex antagonists—threatening but charismatic, dangerous but understandable. Landing a recurring villain role on a successful series could double his net worth while satisfying his creative goals.
There’s also the inheritance factor. When Kelly and Mark eventually pass, their $160 million estate will likely split among three children. That means Michael could inherit $50+ million someday, completely transforming his financial picture.
For now, though, Michael seems focused on building something himself. He’s not launching lifestyle brands trading purely on family fame or getting into scandals. He’s working behind the scenes in reality television, writing horror fiction during off-hours, and waiting for acting roles that excite him creatively.
The Bottom Line
Michael Consuelos’ $1.2 million net worth represents both independent achievement and family privilege. He’s worked demanding production jobs, earned acting income, and pursued creative writing seriously. But he’s also received financial support most people can’t imagine—paid education, rent help during job searches, and the security of knowing he’ll never face real financial hardship.
Measured against typical 28-year-olds, his wealth is extraordinary. Measured against his parents’ $160 million, it’s minuscule. Measured against his own ambitions, it’s just the beginning.
The most interesting question isn’t how much Michael Consuelos is worth today—it’s what he’ll build tomorrow. Will his horror novels find readers? Will he get to play the villains he craves? Will he advance to executive producer roles or launch his own production company?
At 28, Michael has decades to answer those questions. For someone born into Hollywood royalty, he’s chosen a surprisingly grounded path—working real jobs, pursuing genuine creative interests, and acknowledging his advantages without pretending they don’t exist. That honesty makes his story more compelling than his bank account balance alone could ever show.
