Kelly Ripa receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

HOLLYWOOD (WABC) -- In the history of show business, only 2500 people have been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

It is given to those who have been around for awhile and most importantly, who are likely to stay around.

Monday it was Kelly Ripa's turn to enter the pantheon.

Only the brightest stars get their own place on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, but after more than a quarter century in showbiz and almost 15 years as co-host of "Live", Kelly Ripa has earned the honor.

"I am really so certain...more appreciative," she said.

Her star has pride of place in front of the El Capitan theater on Hollywood Boulevard, just steps away from where Jimmy Kimmel tapes his 'Late Night show.

"You really are the greatest," said Kimmel.

Kimmel and Joel McHale were there to cheer her on and so was her "Live" co-host Michael Strahan, producer Michael Gelman along with other Disney executives.

"You have to surround yourself...in my career," said Ripa.

Most of us met her first in 1990 on "All My Children" and that is also where she met her husband Mark Consuelos, who was there Monday with their three children and her parents in from New Jersey.

Her star is right next to the man she described as a mentor, Regis Philbin, and paid warm tribute to the man she goes "Live" with now, Michael Strahan.

Ripa has won four daytime Emmy Awards but even those who have won Oscars will tell you this is an award like no other.

To get a star, Kelly first had to be nominated by someone who thought she deserved to be there. Next, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce had to select her and only a small group are selected each year.

Incidentally, each of the honorees gets a plaque with a replica of their star.