‘Classy’ Mark Consuelos leaves ‘Riverdale’ daddy role after 4 seasons

‘Classy’ Mark Consuelos leaves ‘Riverdale’ daddy role after 4 seasons

Mark Consuelos just freed up his schedule to allow more time for those viral thirst traps with his wife of 25 years Kelly Ripa.

After causing a stir with the latest in a string of half-naked snaps with Ripa, 51, earlier his week, Consuelos, 50, made his final appearance as Hiram, the villainous papa of Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes) in the CW’s “Riverdale.”

He exited the bad daddy role he’s played for four seasons in Wednesday’s appropriately titled Season 5 finale: “Riverdale: RIP.”

“First and foremost, I would like to thank Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa for this incredible opportunity,” Consuelos told Deadline about his run on series. “Never before has playing a character that was so bad, felt so good. Huge thanks to the ‘Riverdale’ fandom, to the brilliant crew and amazing cast, whom I consider dear friends and family.”

Spoiler alert: Consuelos made his grand exit as Veronica, Archie (K.J. Apa), Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) joined forces with the rest of the town to banish Hiram, brining an end to his comic book-inspired reign of terror.

“Riverdale” creator, executive producer and showrunner Aguirre-Sacasa had high praise for “classy” and “sweetest guy [who was] always looking out for everyone” since he joined the series in Season 2.

“So tonight’s episode is Mark’s swan song playing our hunky villain Hiram Lodge on ‘Riverdale’ after four insane, glorious years,” said Aguirre-Sacasa in a statement to the outlet. “From the moment Mark joined us, he was up for literally anything, a hundred percent committed to making Archie’s life a living hell. And what’s funny is, Mark couldn’t be more different from Hiram.”

Aguirre-Sacasa added that “we wish Mark the best and hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Hiram Lodge.”

Meanwhile, Ripa had a birthday on Saturday — her enduring “All My Children” stud professed his love for her to this 2 million Instagram followers: “Happy Birthday to my best friend, lover, confidant. My dance partner in life..My forever girl. For all the important days we’ve missed being together over many years, I’m so grateful to spend this special day with you. I love you, Happy Birthday amore.”