Kelly (Not Clarkson) Lets it Rip

One of the reasons U.S. unemployment may be so high right now is the ubiquitous Kelly Ripa. Currently a talk show host (Live With Regis and Kelly), a soap star (All My Children), headliner of a new ABC primetime comedy (Hope and Faith), Ripa has just signed on to voice a character in the indie ani feature Delgo. For those keeping count, that’s four separate paychecks.

Ripa joins an all-star voice cast including, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Val Kilmer, Michael Clarke Duncan, Chris Kattan, Eric Idle, Burt Reynolds, and Lou Gossett Jr. in voicing a character for the animated adventure, the first independently produced computer-animated feature in the U.S.

The Daytime Emmy nominee is playing Kurrin, Princess Kyla’s (Jennifer Love Hewitt) handmaiden and best friend. “I am so excited to be a part of this,” says Ripa. “It’s a beautiful family film that will be as much fun for parents as it will be for their kids.”

Delgo, is the first theatrical production from Atlanta-based Fathom Studios. Pic is set in a divided land where a troubled youth and some unlikely friends must save the world from itself. “Kelly Ripa is one of those people who is just as advertised,” says producer and co-director, Marc F. Adler. “She’s charming, fun, professional, and the hardest working woman in show business. We’re thrilled to have her on board.”

Delgo has created a worldwide following largely due to the Digital Dailies, a message board on the movie’s Web site (www.delgo.com) where the studios’ production teams post selected works-in-progress, allowing fans to follow artist collaboration and watch the making of the film as it happens.