He's still got those gap teeth! Childhood photo reveals how adorable Kelly Ripa's co-host Michael Strahan was as a child

PUBLISHED: 20:47 EST, 21 November 2013 | UPDATED: 00:55 EST, 22 November 2013

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Posting a childhood photo online can sometimes be a cruel birthday present, but not when the kid was as cute as Michael Strahan.

The Live With Kelly And Michael host turned 42 on Thursday, and the show's official Instagram page celebrated by posting a picture of the NFL star as an adorable little boy.

With his huge smile and gap front teeth, there was no mistaking the grinning child in the photograph.

What a cutie: Live host Michael Strahan still has the same smile as in this childhood photo that was posted on the kellyandmichael Instagram for his birthday on Thursday

Dressed in a brown jacket and white polo neck jumper, with his arms wrapped around his knee, little Michael already knew how to pose for the camera in the photo on the kellyandmichael Instragram that was captioned, '#TBT Happy Birthday @MichaelStrahan!'

Now 6'5" and weighing 275 pounds, the former New York Giants defensive end has certainly grown up a lot since the school photo was snapped.

'Thank you to everybody for your Happy Birthday wishes! That's made it an incredible day already,' said the Live host on his own Twitter page.

Red hot: Hunger Games: Catching Fire star Jennifer Lawrence was a cute addition to the morning show's line up on Thursday

Birthday hug: Michael got another surprise when Jennifer came on the show wearing a party hat

Happy birthday to you! Lawrence was the best singing telegram anyone could ask for on their special day

The Throwback Thursday photo wasn't the only surprise for the birthday boy, as guest Jennifer Lawrence came on to the set wearing a paper 'Happy Birthday' hat.

Even the 5'10" Hunger Games: Chasing Fire star was drowned by huge Strahan as she gave him a friendly hug and her best wishes.

Dressed in a red suit with intricately pinned sleeves, the 23-year-old Oscar winner still towered over 5'2" Kelly when the trio all posed together.

Birthday boy: Now 42, Michael attended the CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute event with Kelly Ripa in New York on Tuesday

On Tuesday, Kelly Ripa, 43, and her giant sidekick were celebrating a different good cause as they presented awards at the CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute event in New York City.

The little and large onscreen couple were among the countless celebrities who honoured everyday heroes such as Chad Pregracke of Illinois, who was crowned Hero Of The Year for dedicating his life to cleaning up the Mississippi River.

Strahan and Ripa have become close on and off the show since he became the permanent replacement for Regis Philbin in September 2012.

From the football field to the talk show set: Strahan (pictured here at the Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom premiere on November 14 in New York) has enjoyed a successful TV career since he retired from the NFL

Strahan has definitely come a long way from his unsettled childhood. After being born in Houston, Texas, he and his five siblings moved to Mannheim, Germany, when he was just nine because father, Gene, was an Army major.

The baby of the family didn't begin playing football until he was in high school living with his uncle back in Houston, but he quickly caught up and was drafted by the New York Giants in 1993.

The gentle Giant played for an incredible 14 years with the team and won a Super Bowl with them in his final season in 2007.

After missing out last year, it was announced on Thursday that he will get another chance to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2014, reported the New York Daily News.