Art Moore of “Live with Kelly and Mark” and Philly’s 6ABC retires after 53 years

After a months-long farewell tour – during which South Jersey television personality Kelly Ripa said he tried to dissuade him – long-esteemed television producer and programmer Art Moore has retired after more than half a century in show business.

Moore, a multiple Emmy Award winner, is best known for directing the production of Live with Kelly and Mark and other earlier episodes of the ABC talk show. But his career goes much further: Before that, he worked in Philadelphia as program director of 6abc.

“The time has come,” Moore said when he first announced his impending retirement in May. Moore moved to ABC and to the production of Live! in 1989 with frequent appearances on the show.

He began his career at WKBW-TV in Buffalo before moving to Philly.

“Although Art left Philadelphia for New York years ago, he remained a good friend to 6abc and the people who work here,” said John Morris, 6abc's vice president of multiplatform programming. “We worked together regularly and benefited from his knowledge and kindness. Art has said on numerous occasions that the people he will miss most in his retirement, and we are among the people who will continue to miss him.”

On Wednesday, ABC Network hosted a farewell party for Moore to mark his final day. He was also celebrated live on television on Friday, complete with balloons, cake, champagne and a standing ovation from the live audience.

That is what Moore will miss the most. “The hardest part for me [is] “People are being let down,” he told Deadline.

“As program director, he worked on countless series and specials that shaped WABC's identity and the station's enduring relationship with viewers,” said WABC, the New York ABC affiliate, in an article about his retirement. For the past 36 years, Moore has worked as Live!is the responsible production manager.

Television executives say Moore's influence cannot be overestimated.

“Art Moore is simply the best of the best,” said Debra O'Connell, president of News Group and Networks at Disney Entertainment, who praised Moore for his creativity, big heart and “keen sense of what the audience wants.”

Chad Matthews, president of ABC Owned Television Stations, called Moore a “pioneer of daytime television and a legend in broadcasting.”

Ripa told Moore the reason she hosted Live and has remained with the show since joining in 2001.

“You are so, so important to me personally and to our family. You are one of many and you mean so much to all of us here,” she told Moore live. “You are the most extraordinary, devoted, loyal and special person I have ever met in my life.”

Moore said he plans to spend his retirement visiting his family in Phoenix more often. And at least at first, he won't be watching Live with Kelly and Mark — it is too early.

“I don't think I can watch the show for the first few weeks because I'll go crazy,” he said. “I need to get away from being there every day.”