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Mario Lopez
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Mario Lopez (born October 10, 1973[1]) is an American actor and television host. He has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is known for his portrayal of A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell, Saved by the Bell: The College Years, and the 2020 sequel series. He has appeared in numerous projects since, including the third season of Dancing with the Stars and as host for the syndicated entertainment news magazine shows Extra and Access Hollywood. He has also hosted America's Best Dance Crew for MTV. In 2012, he co-hosted the second season of the American version of The X Factor with Khloé Kardashian, and was the sole host for the third and final season.
Key Information
Early life, family and education
[edit]Lopez was born on October 10, 1973, in Chula Vista, California, the son of Elvira Soledad Trasviña and Mario Alberto López Pérez.[1][2][3] Lopez was raised in a Catholic family. His parents are both emigrants from Mexico. His father was born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, and his mother in Tijuana, Baja California.[3][4] His younger sister, Marissa, is married to former NFL Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans linebacker Kailee Wong.
Lopez started dance education at age three, training in tap and jazz.[5] He also did tumbling, karate and wrestling at his local Boys and Girls Club when he was 7 years old.[6] He excelled at these as well as other activities in which his mother enrolled him.[7] During high school at Chula Vista High School,[8][9] he was on the school's wrestling team at the weight class of 160 lb (73 kg). He placed 2nd in the San Diego Section competition and 7th in California his senior year. He graduated in 1991.
Career
[edit]Lopez was discovered by a talent agent at a dance recital when he was 10 years old. He initially worked in local advertisements and commercials before making TV appearances.[10]
Acting
[edit]Lopez began acting in 1984 when he appeared as younger brother Tomás in the short-lived ABC comedy series a.k.a. Pablo.[11] That same year, he was cast as a drummer and dancer on Kids Incorporated; he performed on three seasons. In March 1987, he was cast as a guest star on the sitcom The Golden Girls as a Latino boy named Mario who faces deportation. He was cast in a small part in the film Colors (1988) as Felipe's friend.
Lopez was cast in 1989 as A.C. Slater in the television Saturday-morning series sitcom Saved by the Bell (1989–1993), and its spinoff Saved by the Bell: The College Years (1993–1994).[12] On February 4, 2015, Lopez reunited with Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Elizabeth Berkley, Dennis Haskins, and Tiffani Thiessen on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where they appeared in a Saved by the Bell sketch with Fallon.[16] In 2020, Lopez reprised the role of A.C. Slater in Peacock's sequel series, Saved by the Bell.[17]
In 1997, Lopez starred as Olympic diver Greg Louganis in the television film Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story. The following year, he was cast as Bobby Cruz in the USA Network series Pacific Blue for two seasons before it was canceled after the fifth season; he then went on to guest star on Resurrection Blvd., Eve, and The Bad Girl's Guide. In March 2006, Lopez joined the cast of the daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful playing the role of Dr. Christian Ramirez. On July 18, 2006, he was released from his B&B contract.[18] Later that year, Mario guest-starred as a plastic surgeon who drives Christian Troy to jealousy when he sees him naked in the shower in an episode of FX Network's Nip/Tuck during the show's fourth season, which began in autumn 2006. He also made an appearance on George Lopez as a police officer in late 2006.
Also in the fall of 2006, Lopez signed on as a contestant on the third season of Dancing with the Stars on ABC with professional partner and then-girlfriend Karina Smirnoff who was making her series debut. They finished in second place, losing to the team of Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke.
Lopez and Courtney Mazza had a reality show on VH1 called Mario Lopez: Saved by the Baby which premiered on November 1, 2010.[19] Lopez guest-starred as a reporter for Extra Sesame Street in the Sesame Street episode "The Veggie Monster" in 2012.
In December 2020, Lopez starred as Colonel Sanders in A Recipe for Seduction, a short film from Lifetime and KFC.[20][21] In 2024, Lopez signed a multi-year deal with Great American Media.[22][23]
Hosting duties
[edit]
In 1992, he hosted his first series on NBC, called Name Your Adventure. He hosted the serial tabloid Extra, as well as the MTV reality shows America's Best Dance Crew and MTV's Top Pop Group. In the 1995–96 season, he hosted the second season of Masters of the Maze on what was then The Family Channel. Lopez is both the host (with Carmen Palumbo) and co-executive producer of Sí TV's Dating Factory. From October to December 2012, he co-hosted the Fox singing competition The X Factor along with Khloe Kardashian.[24] In September 2013, Lopez returned to the show as sole host for season 3 after Kardashian was not asked back as co-host.[25] The X Factor was cancelled on February 7, 2014.[26] From 2002 to 2005, he was the host of the Animal Planet show Pet Star, despite some difficulty with an allergy to cats.[27] Lopez hosted the Miss America pageant in 2007, 2009, and 2010.
Lopez has guest co-hosted The Wendy Williams Show,[28] and MCed the gala benefit for the 2010 Pageant of the Masters arts festival in Laguna Beach, California.[29]
Starting in 2012, Lopez began hosting his own nationally syndicated radio show, ON With Mario Lopez, for Premiere Radio. It streams online daily on iHeartRadio and airs on selected CHR and Hot AC stations (particularly on KBIG-FM/Los Angeles) throughout the U.S.
In August 2014, Lopez began hosting the Hot AC edition of the iHeartRadio Countdown.
In July 2019, it was reported that Lopez would be leaving his duties hosting Extra in order to host rival program Access Hollywood.[30] In November 2019 Lopez was the Grand Marshal of the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
In 2024, Lopez began hosting the Game Show Network series Blank Slate.[31]
Stage career
[edit]Outside of TV, Lopez made his Broadway debut on April 15, 2008, in the revival of the musical A Chorus Line as Zach.[32][33]
Books
[edit]Lopez has published three non-fiction books. The first, Mario Lopez Knockout Fitness, was published in 2008 and written together with Jeff O'Connell (who had previously written a fitness book with LL Cool J).[34] His book Extra Lean followed in early 2010 and became a New York Times bestseller.[35] Extra Lean Family was published in May 2012.[36] He released a children's book entitled Mario and Baby Gia by Celebra Children's Books (a division of Penguin Books), on September 27, 2011. The book is about Lopez and his daughter.[37][38]
Musical
[edit]In 2022, it was announced that Lopez is involved in an effort to revive the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, as he oversaw auditions that took place, in a project named "Menudo: A New Beginning".[39] Lopez helped revive the band as their new manager, and in 2023, Menudo released their first single under Lopez, named "Mi Amore".[40]
Personal life
[edit]According to Lopez, Fergie was his first kiss, and the two were involved briefly while they were both on the show Kids Incorporated.[41]
In 1993, Lopez was accused of date rape,[42] but prosecutors found no evidence to support the allegation, and multiple witnesses "contradicted the woman's account of her encounter" with Lopez.[43]
After six years of dating, Lopez married actress Ali Landry on April 24, 2004, in a Catholic ceremony at the Las Alamandas resort outside Puerto Vallarta, Mexico,[44] but their marriage was annulled two weeks later.[44] In a 2011 interview, Lopez admitted that the parting transpired after Landry discovered Lopez was unfaithful to her days before the wedding at his bachelor party.[45] Lopez dated professional dancer Karina Smirnoff, his Dancing with the Stars partner, from 2006 to June 2008.[46]
In the fall of 2008, Lopez met Broadway dancer, actress, and producer Courtney Mazza on A Chorus Line on Broadway in New York.[47] They married in Punta Mita, Mexico, on December 1, 2012.[48] They have a daughter Gia (b. 2010)[49][50] and two sons Dominic & Santino (b. 2013 and 2019).[51][52][53]
Lopez has stated that he is Catholic and goes to church every week.[54] In March 2018, he underwent baptism by immersion at the Jordan River, which was administered by a Catholic priest.[55]
He is a proponent of health and fitness, and was the cover feature for the November 2013 issue of FitnessRX For Men magazine.[56] To complement his fitness regime, Lopez is an amateur boxer and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; he began training in early 2017[57] and received his blue belt in February 2018 under Professor Robert Hill of Gracie Barra Glendale.[58] He received his purple belt in November 2022.[59]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Chartbusters | N/A | Direct-to-video film |
| 1988 | Colors | Felipe's Friend | |
| 1996 | Depraved | Jessie Mata | |
| 1996 | Fever Lake | Steve | Direct-to-video film |
| 1996 | El Cóndor de oro | Bodyguard 2 | |
| 1997 | The Journey: Absolution | Ryan Murphy | |
| 1999 | Eastside | Antonio Lopez | |
| 2000 | A Crack in the Floor | Lehman | |
| 2000 | Big Brother Trouble | Coach | |
| 2002 | Outta Time | David Morales | Alternative titles: The Courier, Out of Time |
| 2002 | King Rikki | Juan Vallejo | Alternative title: The Street King |
| 2005 | Aloha, Scooby-Doo! | Manu Tuiama/Mainland Surfer | Voice, direct-to-video |
| 2006 | Unaccompanied Minors | Substitute Minors watcher | |
| 2010 | Get Him to the Greek | Himself | Cameo |
| 2011 | Honey 2 | Himself | |
| 2013 | The Smurfs 2 | Social Smurf | Voice[60] |
| 2014 | The Dog Who Saved Easter | Zeus the Dog | Voice, direct-to-video |
| 2015 | The Dog Who Saved Summer | Zeus the Dog | Voice, direct-to-video |
| 2016 | Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping | Himself | |
| 2019 | Fantastica: A Boonie Bears Adventure | Briar | Voice, English version |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | a.k.a. Pablo | Tomas Del Gato | Main role |
| 1984–1986 | Kids Incorporated | Himself | Dancer/Drummer (seasons 1–3) |
| 1986 | The Deacon Street Deer | Hector | Television film |
| 1987 | The Golden Girls | Mario | Episode: "Dorothy's Prized Pupil" |
| 1989–1993 | Saved by the Bell[61] | A.C. Slater | Main role |
| 1992 | Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style | A.C. Slater | Television film |
| 1993–1994 | Saved by the Bell: The College Years | A.C. Slater | Main role |
| 1994 | Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas | A.C. Slater | Television film |
| 1994 | Bill Nye the Science Guy | Himself | Communication cameo |
| 1995–1996 | Saved by the Bell: The New Class | A.C. Slater | Episodes: "Goodbye, Bayside Part 2" and "Fire at the Max Part 2" |
| 1995–1996 | Masters of the Maze | Himself | Host (season 2) |
| 1997 | Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story | Greg Louganis | Television film |
| 1997 | Killing Mr. Griffin | Dave Ruggles | Television film |
| 1999 | Pacific Blue | Bobby Cruz | Main role (seasons 4–5) |
| 2001–2003 | The Other Half | Himself | Host |
| 2002–2005 | Pet Star | Himself | Host |
| 2004 | The Soluna Project | Antonio | Television film |
| 2006 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Christian Ramirez | Contract role, 46 episodes |
| 2006 | Dancing with the Stars | Himself | Contestant (season 3) |
| 2006–2010 | Nip/Tuck | Dr. Mike Hamoui | Recurring role, 8 episodes |
| 2007 | George Lopez | Police Officer Sanchez | Episode: "George Can't Let Sleeping Mexicans Lie" |
| 2007 | Holiday in Handcuffs | David Martin | Television film |
| 2007 | Miss Universe 2007 | Himself | Host |
| 2008 | Husband for Hire | Marco | Television film |
| 2008 | MTV's Top Pop Group | Himself | Host |
| 2008–2012 | America's Best Dance Crew | Himself | Host |
| 2008 | Robot Chicken | A.C Slater | Voice, episode: "Boo Cocky" |
| 2008–2019 | Extra | Himself | Host |
| 2009 | The Dog Who Saved Christmas | Zeus the Dog | Voice, television film |
| 2010 | The Spin Crowd | Himself | Episode: "Image Is Everything" |
| 2010–2011 | Mario Lopez: Saved by the Baby | Himself | Lead role |
| 2010 | The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation | Zeus the Dog | Voice, television film |
| 2011 | H8R | Himself | Host |
| 2011–2012 | Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade | Himself | Host |
| 2012 | Sesame Street | Himself (reporter) | Episode: "The Veggie Monster" |
| 2012 | Are You There, Chelsea? | Himself | Episode: "Dee Dee's Pillow" |
| 2012–2013 | The X Factor | Himself | Co-host (season 2) |
| 2012–2013 | The Chica Show | Stitches | Voice |
| 2015–2016 | Nashville | Himself | Episodes: "I've Got Reasons to Hate You" and "The Trouble with the Truth" |
| 2015 | Major Crimes | Himself | Episode: "Reality Check" |
| 2015 | Dinner at Tiffani's | Himself | Episode: "Come in For Comfort Food" |
| 2016 | Grease: Live | Vince Fontaine | Television film |
| 2016 | Almost Royal | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2016 | NCIS: New Orleans | NOPD Officer Hernandez | Episode: "Man On Fire" |
| 2017 | Candy Crush | Himself | Host[62] |
| 2017 | A Very Merry Toy Store | Will DiNova | Television film |
| 2018 | Elena of Avalor | Cruz | Voice, 7 episodes |
| 2018 | Jane the Virgin | Himself | Episode: "Chapter Seventy-Nine" |
| 2018–2019 | The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle | Himself | Recurring voice role |
| 2019 | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Himself | Episode: "Four Movements" |
| 2019 | The Rookie | Himself | Episode: "GreenLight” |
| 2019–present | Access Hollywood | Himself | Host |
| 2020 | The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia | Nico | Recurring role, 5 episodes; also co-creator and executive producer |
| 2020 | Feliz NaviDAD | David | Television film |
| 2020–2021 | Saved by the Bell | A.C. Slater | Main role |
| 2020 | A Recipe for Seduction | Harland Sanders | Short television film[20][21] |
| 2020 | Miss Universe 2020 | Himself | Host |
| 2021 | Holiday in Santa Fe | Tony Ortega | Television film |
| 2022 | Family Guy | Himself | Voice, episode: "Oscars Guy" |
| 2022 | Steppin' into the Holiday | Billy Holiday | Television film |
| 2024–present | Blank Slate | Himself | Host |
Awards
[edit]This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (February 2016) |
| Year | Group | Award | Role | Result | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Young Artist Awards | Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast | Saved by the Bell | Nominated | |
| 1991 | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Actor Starring in an Off-Primetime Series | Saved by the Bell | Nominated | |
| 1992 | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Actor Starring in an Off-Primetime or Cable Series | Saved by the Bell | Nominated | |
| 1993 | Young Artist Awards | Outstanding Hosts for a Youth Magazine, News or Game Show | Name Your Adventure | Won | |
| 1993 | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Actor in an Off-Primetime Series | Saved by the Bell | Won | |
| 1994 | Young Artist Awards | Best Youth Actor in a TV Mini-Series, M.O.W. or Special | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Nominated | |
| 1994 | Young Artist Awards | Outstanding Youth Host in a TV Magazine, News or Variety Show | Name Your Adventure | Won | |
| 1998 | ALMA Awards | Outstanding Individual Performance in a Made-for-Television Movie or Mini-Series in a Crossover Role | Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story | Nominated | |
| 1999 | ALMA Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | Pacific Blue | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Imagen Foundation Awards | Best Supporting Actor | The Bold and the Beautiful | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Personality | Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Personality | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2011 | ALMA Awards | Favorite TV Reality, Variety, or Comedy Personality or Act | Mario Lopez: Saved By the Baby | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Young Artist Awards | Mickey Rooney Award | Himself | Won |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Celebrity Central: Mario Lopez". People. June 30, 2016. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
- ^ a b Finding Your Roots, February 1, 2022.
- ^ Quirk, Mary Beth (October 13, 2010). "Mario Lopez & His Bundle of Joy !". OK!. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
'I come from a small, fat Mexican Catholic family,' Mario tells OK!
- ^ Dawn, Randee (January 19, 2018). "Mario Lopez flashes back to his disco days with hilarious retro photo". Today. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ Lopez, Mario; Santagati, Steve (2014). Just Between Us. Penguin. ISBN 978-0-6981-5887-0.
- ^ "Raising Mario Lopez | Mom Tells All". YouTube. August 30, 2017.
- ^ Virchis, William A. (June 3, 2022) [June 3, 2022]. "Chula Vista native Mario Lopez is receiving a big honor, and it's not related to Hollywood". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ Page, Eric S. (December 7, 2020). "Secret's Out, Chicken Man: Chula Vista's Mario Lopez IS Colonel Sanders". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ Lopez, Mario; Santagati, Steve (2014). Just Between Us. Penguin. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-6981-5887-0. Retrieved September 30, 2018 – via Google Books.
- ^ Allis, Tim (November 30, 1992). "Saturday's Star". People. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
- ^ "Mario Lopez". Biography.
- ^ "Watch a Glorious Saved by the Bell Reunion Courtesy of Jimmy Fallon". Time. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- ^ "Jimmy Fallon assembled the cast of 'Saved by The Bell' for an epic reunion". Business Insider. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- ^ "Jimmy Fallon reunites most of the 'Saved by the Bell' cast". Los Angeles Times. February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- ^ [13][14][15]
- ^ Crist, Allison (September 29, 2020). "The Saved By the Bell Revival Finally Has a Premiere Date". E! Online. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (July 2, 2006). "Lopez's B&B Stay Over". Soapcentral. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Gets VH1 Reality Show". TV Guide.
- ^ a b Del Rosario, Alexandra (December 8, 2020). "Mario Lopez Stirs up 'A Recipe for Seduction' as KFC's Colonel Sanders in New Lifetime Mini-Movie". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ a b "KFC And Lifetime Heat Up The Holidays With A First-of-its-kind Lifetime Original Mini-Movie: A Recipe For Seduction" (Press release). KFC. December 7, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ "Saved by the jingle bell: Mario Lopez joins Great American Christmas in multi-year deal". Entertainment Weekly. February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Great American Media signs multiyear deal with Mario Lopez". Washington Examiner. February 6, 2024.
- ^ "We'll Be Your 'X Factor' Co-Hosts". TMZ. October 2, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ Ledger, Emma (April 23, 2013). "Khloe Kardashian gets axed by X Factor USA after just one series". Daily Mirror. London. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 8, 2014). "Fox's 'The X Factor' Cancelled After Three Seasons". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- ^ "Mario Lopez's Cat Dilemma". Contactmusic.com. September 5, 2004. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ^ "Mario Lopez showed off his abs and sexy underwear range 'RatedM' on The Wendy Williams Show". Unreality TV. February 6, 2012. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ^ Chang, Richard (August 29, 2010). "Mario Lopez hosts gala for Pageant of the Masters". Orange County Register. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Named New Host of Access Hollywood After Exit from Extra". People. July 17, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- ^ Novak, Lauren (November 13, 2023). "Mario Lopez to Host New Game Show 'Blank Slate' Coming to GSN". TV Insider. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "PHOTO CALL: Mario Lopez Honored with Painting at Tony's Di Napoli". Playbill. Archived from the original on August 2, 2008.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Joins 'A Chorus Line' on April 15". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ "Jeff O'Connell". Hachette Book Group. June 28, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (June 6, 2010). "Bestseller New York Times – Hardcover Advice & Misc". The New York Times. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
- ^ Lopez, Mario; Jimmy Pena (May 3, 2011). Extra Lean Family: Get Lean and Achieve Your Family's Best Health Ever. Penguin. ISBN 978-1-1015-3711-4. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ "Mario Lopez To Release Children's Book In September". inquisitr.com. July 10, 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Uses Baby Gia As Inspiration For New Book". celebritybabyscoop.com. July 10, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Teams up with Menudo Productions for Talent Search and Revival of Menudo". Forbes.
- ^ "MENUDO at Universal Citywalk Hollywood #MENUDO 2023 @menudo_official". March 28, 2023 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Latina – Latino & Latin American News, Culture, Heritage, Food, Entertainment". Latina.
- ^ "Woman, 18, Accuses TV Actor of Rape". Los Angeles Times. May 11, 1993. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ^ "CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF: SAN DIEGO: Rape Claims Called Unfounded". Los Angeles Times. June 18, 1993.
- ^ a b Wihlborg, Ulrica; Mark Armstrong (May 12, 2004). "Landry, Lopez Split After 2-Week Marriage". People. Archived from the original on March 20, 2008. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
- ^ "Mario Lopez: I Cheated on Ex Ali Landry Days Before Wedding". Us Weekly. February 11, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
- ^ "Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff Split". People. June 5, 2008. Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
- ^ "The Story of How We Met and Fell in Love | Mario and Courtney Lopez". YouTube. April 26, 2017.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Weds Courtney Mazza". People. December 1, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
- ^ "It's a Girl for Mario Lopez & Courtney Mazza". People. September 12, 2010. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
- ^ "Mario Lopez and Courtney Mazza Welcome a Baby Girl!". Extra. September 12, 2010. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
- ^ "Mario and Courtney Lopez Welcome Son Dominic". People. September 10, 2013. Archived from the original on September 12, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
- ^ "Baby No. 3! Mario Lopez's Wife Courtney Mazza Gives Birth". Us Weekly. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
- ^ Lee, Michelle. "Mario Lopez Shares Before-and-After Photos of His 'Busted' Eye from Jiu-Jitsu Injury: 'Makeup Magic'". People. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Q&A: Mario Lopez Suits Up in Women's Lingerie". Newsweek. October 14, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
Do you go to church? "Every week. Nice Catholic boy."
- ^ Parke, Caleb (March 27, 2018). "'Hallelujah': Mario Lopez gets baptized in the same river as Jesus". Fox News. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
- ^ "Get Leaner, Stronger and Faster!". Fitness Rx. October 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
- ^ Zahar, Chris (February 13, 2017). "Mario Lopez Does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu". Jiu-Jitsu Times. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- ^ "Actor And Host Mario Lopez Is Now A Blue Belt In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu". Jiu-Jitsu Times. February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Promoted to Purple Belt". Grappling Insider. November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ "Pic! Introducing Mario as Social Smurf". Extra. April 22, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Can Teach You Something about Enjoying Family, Food and a Few Other 'Fs'". Swagger Magazine. October 30, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
- ^ Goldberg, Leslie (March 23, 2017). "Mario Lopez to Host CBS' 'Candy Crush'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
External links
[edit]Mario Lopez
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Family background
Mario Lopez was born on October 10, 1973, in Chula Vista, California, to Mexican immigrant parents Mario Alberto López Pérez and Elvira Soledad Trasviña.[4] His father was born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, and his mother in Tijuana, Baja California.[4] The family maintained strong ties to their Mexican heritage, with Lopez growing up in a bilingual household speaking both Spanish and English.[6] Lopez has one sibling, a younger sister named Marissa Lopez, who is married to former NFL player Kailee Wong.[7] His family came from a working-class background, with his father employed by the city and his mother working for the phone company, reflecting the modest circumstances of many Mexican-American households in Southern California during the 1970s and 1980s.[8] This environment, centered in the border-adjacent Chula Vista area, fostered a deep connection to Mexican cultural traditions amid everyday American life.[6]Upbringing and early interests
Mario Lopez was born on October 10, 1973, in Chula Vista, California, and raised in the Chula Vista neighborhood, a close-knit community in the city's South Bay area.[9] Growing up in a Mexican-American household shaped by his parents' immigrant roots from Culiacán, Sinaloa, Lopez experienced a childhood centered on family values and modest living.[10] As an athletically inclined child, he participated in local sports from a young age, including football, karate, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu, which helped channel his high energy and build discipline.[2] His involvement in wrestling began early under the guidance of Mexican Olympian Gabriel Ruiz and continued through high school at Chula Vista High School, where coach Bill Virchis led the team to a Metro League Championship.[11] Lopez developed an early passion for dance, particularly tap and jazz styles, which became a significant outlet for his creativity amid his active lifestyle.[12] This interest was nurtured within his family's cultural environment, where gatherings often featured lively music and movement reflective of their Hispanic heritage, fostering a natural affinity for performance.[10] By age 10, his dance skills caught the eye of a talent scout during a school recital, marking an initial step toward professional opportunities, though his enthusiasm for dance remained rooted in personal joy rather than formal ambition at that stage.[13] From around ages 5 to 10, Lopez engaged in his first amateur performances through school plays and community events in Chula Vista, including theater productions at Kellogg Elementary School such as Grease and Sleeping Beauty.[14] These experiences, often involving acting, drumming, and dance routines, allowed him to explore storytelling and stage presence in informal settings like talent shows and local gatherings.[15] Despite the family's modest means as children of immigrants, Lopez's parents provided strong support for his creative pursuits, accompanying him on trips to Los Angeles for auditions starting at age 9 or 10.[16] His father, Mario Sr., frequently drove him for these early opportunities, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing his talents while emphasizing hard work and family priorities.[10] This encouragement, balanced with the realities of their working-class background, helped Lopez balance his interests in sports, dance, and performance during his formative years.[12]Formal education
Mario Lopez attended Chula Vista High School in Chula Vista, California, where he balanced his academic studies with participation in extracurricular activities, including the school's theater and dance programs as well as its wrestling team.[17][11] During his time there, Lopez competed as an amateur wrestler, achieving notable success by placing second in the San Diego Section and seventh in the California Interscholastic Federation state tournament.[11] He graduated from Chula Vista High School in 1991.[18] Building on his early interests in performance, Lopez began formal dance training at local studios starting at age three, focusing on tap and jazz styles.[19] This specialized instruction at workshops and community programs helped develop his skills in rhythm and movement, which complemented his high school involvement in dance.[17] Following his high school graduation, Lopez prioritized his burgeoning acting career, including his ongoing role on Saved by the Bell, over higher education pursuits.[15]Career
Early acting roles
Lopez made his professional acting debut at the age of 10 in the short-lived ABC sitcom a.k.a. Pablo (1984), where he portrayed Tomás Del Gato, the younger brother of the protagonist played by Paul Rodriguez.[20] The series, created by Norman Lear, followed a Mexican-American stand-up comedian navigating family life and career aspirations in Los Angeles, but it was canceled after six episodes due to low ratings.[13] Following his debut, Lopez appeared in a variety of guest roles and recurring parts on 1980s television shows, building experience in both comedic and dramatic formats. He joined the cast of the Disney Channel's Kids Incorporated from 1984 to 1986, performing as a background dancer and drummer in the musical variety series aimed at young audiences, which also featured future stars like Fergie and Jennifer Love Hewitt.[21] In 1987, he guest-starred on The Golden Girls in the episode "Dorothy's Prized Pupil," playing Mario, a bright student whose talent prompts a subplot involving immigration concerns for his family.[22] His early dance training, developed during his youth in San Diego, contributed to his agility in these physically demanding performances.[3] Lopez expanded into miniseries and film in the late 1980s, marking his transition to more diverse genres. He had a supporting role in the 1988 CBS miniseries The Oldest Rookie, portraying a young character alongside Paul Sorvino in the crime drama about an aging detective.[7] That same year, he made his feature film debut in Dennis Hopper's Colors, appearing as Felipe's Friend, a member of a Los Angeles street gang, in the gritty police thriller that highlighted urban gang violence.[23] By the early 1990s, Lopez began exploring soap opera territory with a recurring role on the CBS daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful from 1990 to 1992, playing Christian, a character involved in romantic and family storylines within the Forrester family saga.[24] This period represented a shift toward serialized television, allowing him to develop dramatic skills before his major breakthrough.Television breakthrough
Lopez achieved his television breakthrough with the role of Albert Clifford "A.C." Slater on the NBC teen sitcom Saved by the Bell, which aired from 1989 to 1993.[25] Cast after appearing in earlier children's shows, Lopez portrayed Slater as a charismatic jock and transfer student from an army family, who arrives at Bayside High School as an outsider and quickly becomes a rival to protagonist Zack Morris in academics, sports, and romance.[26] The character's backstory emphasized his wrestling prowess and street-smart persona, drawing from Lopez's own real-life experiences in athletics and performance, which helped infuse the role with authenticity.[27] The series propelled Lopez to teen idol status, with Slater's confident, muscle-bound image and catchphrases like "I'm so buff!" captivating young audiences and contributing to Saved by the Bell's emergence as a cultural phenomenon that defined 1990s adolescent television through its lighthearted exploration of high school life.[28] Lopez reprised the character in several spin-offs, including the 1992 television film Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style, where the Bayside gang vacations in Hawaii; the short-lived primetime series Saved by the Bell: The College Years (1993–1994), following the characters into higher education; and a guest appearance in the syndicated continuation Saved by the Bell: The New Class in 1993.[29][30] Following the original run, Lopez continued leveraging his Slater persona in subsequent television projects, notably starring as Officer Bobby Cruz, a tough Santa Monica beach patrol cop, in the USA Network action-drama Pacific Blue from 1998 to 2000.[31] He later provided the voice of the bumbling hyena Shingo in Disney Junior's animated series The Lion Guard across its 2016–2019 run. In 2020, Lopez returned to the franchise for the Peacock streaming reboot Saved by the Bell, portraying an adult Slater as Bayside High's gym teacher and coach, navigating modern school dynamics alongside original castmates.[32] He also starred as Olympic diver Greg Louganis in the 1997 NBC biopic Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story.[33]Hosting career
Lopez began his prominent hosting career in entertainment news with the syndicated program Extra in 2007, serving as co-host until 2019 and covering celebrity interviews, red carpet events, and Hollywood breaking news.[13][34] His engaging on-air presence during this period earned the show two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Entertainment News Program, highlighting his ability to connect with viewers through live reporting and insider access.[13] In 2019, Lopez transitioned to NBCUniversal's Access Hollywood as co-anchor alongside Kit Hoover and Scott Evans, focusing on daily celebrity updates and exclusive stories. He simultaneously co-hosted the daytime extension Access Daily (formerly Access Hollywood Live from 2010–2013 and Access Live until 2019), which featured in-studio guests and lifestyle segments tied to entertainment trends.[34][35] This role solidified his status as a staple in syndicated news, blending charisma with bilingual appeal to reach diverse audiences as a Mexican-American broadcaster.[36] Lopez expanded into pageant hosting with the Miss America competition, emceeing the events in 2007, 2009, and 2010, where he guided live broadcasts with energy and poise amid talent showcases and interviews.[37][38] His prior visibility as a contestant and runner-up on season 3 of Dancing with the Stars in 2006 paved the way for further live presentation opportunities, including moderating special events like a 2014 America's Funniest Home Videos anniversary panel.[39][40] From 2003 to 2005, Lopez contributed to SoapNet's Soap Talk as a recurring guest host, discussing daytime drama storylines and interviewing soap stars in a format that showcased his quick wit and industry knowledge. In recent years, he hosted the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 17, 2025, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, presenting honors in a non-televised ceremony streamed online.[41] He also hosted CBS's game show Blank Slate in 2024.[1] Since 2019, Lopez has fronted the nationally syndicated radio program On with Mario Lopez, co-hosted with his wife Courtney Lopez on iHeartRadio, blending pop culture discussions, music countdowns, and celebrity chats for a wellness-focused audience.[42] Throughout his hosting tenure, Lopez's bilingual skills and relatable charisma have broadened his reach across English- and Spanish-speaking demographics.[36]Film and stage work
Lopez made his Broadway debut in the long-running revival of the musical A Chorus Line, taking over the role of the demanding choreographer Zach on April 15, 2008, a position he held until August 17 of that year.[43] The production, which had opened in 2006, showcased Lopez's dance background honed from early training, allowing him to perform the show's iconic ensemble numbers with precision.[44] He later reprised the role of Zach in a 2016 staging of A Chorus Line at the Hollywood Bowl, further demonstrating his stage versatility in the outdoor amphitheater setting.[45] In film, Lopez reprised his signature role as A.C. Slater in two made-for-television movies from the Saved by the Bell franchise: Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style (1992), where the characters vacation in Hawaii amid a resort development scheme, and Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas (1994), depicting Slater's attempt to elope with his girlfriend.[46] These projects extended his portrayal of the athletic, charismatic character beyond the series format. Earlier, he appeared in a small role as a gang member in the crime thriller Colors (1988), directed by Dennis Hopper, marking one of his initial forays into feature films. Lopez took a lead role in the independent crime drama Eastside (1999), playing Antonio Lopez, a young ex-convict navigating gang life and redemption in East Los Angeles upon his release from prison.[47] The film highlighted his ability to carry dramatic narratives centered on Latino experiences in urban settings. He has since appeared in supporting capacities, including voicing Social Smurf in the animated family film The Smurfs 2 (2013), a tech-savvy character who uses social media to aid the Smurfs' adventures.[48] His voice work in animation often draws on his theatrical training for expressive performances. In 2025, Lopez voiced Denny Howlett, a wolf reporter, in the animated film Zootopia 2, released on November 26.[49] though lead film opportunities have remained limited compared to his stage and other media pursuits.[50]Other media ventures
Lopez expanded his career into publishing with a series of non-fiction books centered on personal experiences and fitness. His 2011 autobiography, Just Between Us, co-authored with Steve Santagati, offers candid insights into his Hollywood journey, relationships, and life lessons. In 2012, he released Extra Lean: The Fat-Burning Plan that Changes the Way You Eat, Move, and Live, co-written with Jimmy Pena, which outlines a nutrition and exercise regimen emphasizing lean proteins and high-intensity workouts to promote sustainable weight loss. This was followed by Extra Lean Family: Get Lean and Achieve Your Family's Best Health Ever in 2014, extending the principles to family-oriented meal planning and activities. In the realm of music, Lopez made early forays as a recording artist. His debut single, "Just a Touch of Love," a cover of the 1979 Slave track, was released in 1991 on SBK Records. He contributed to the Saved by the Bell soundtrack, including vocals and percussion on select tracks like the band's performances in episodes. Lopez entered radio hosting with the launch of On with Mario in 2019, a nationally syndicated iHeartRadio program blending pop music, celebrity interviews, and entertainment news. Co-hosted with his wife Courtney Lopez, the show airs four hours daily and emphasizes family values alongside pop culture discussions.[51] It spawned the On with Mario Daily Podcast, available on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, featuring extended interviews with artists and actors.[52] As a producer, Lopez served as executive producer on the NBC sitcom Lopez vs. Lopez from 2022 to 2025, a multi-camera comedy created by George Lopez and Debby Wolfe, where he appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in guest roles.[53] Lopez has also embraced digital content creation through family-oriented vlogs on YouTube, launched via the Lopez Family channel in 2017. These bilingual videos document everyday life, travel, and parenting with his wife and children, often in English and Spanish to connect with diverse audiences.[54]Personal life
Relationships and marriages
Lopez's earliest romantic involvement was a brief childhood relationship with future singer Fergie (born Stacy Ferguson), whom he met while co-starring on the children's TV series Kids Incorporated in 1984; he has recalled her as his first kiss.[55] His most prominent early adult relationship was with actress and model Ali Landry, beginning in 1997 after they met at the Miss Teen USA pageant where Lopez served as a presenter and Landry competed.[56] The couple dated intermittently for several years before marrying in a Catholic ceremony on April 24, 2004, at a resort near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.[57] However, the marriage lasted only two weeks; it was annulled in May 2004 after Landry learned of Lopez's infidelity during his bachelor party in Acapulco, where he admitted to visiting a strip club and engaging in sexual activity with a dancer.[58] Lopez later reflected on the incident as a pivotal mistake that ended the union, stating he had no intention of saving the marriage because his feelings for Landry were not deep enough.[59] Following the annulment, Lopez met actress and dancer Courtney Mazza during the 2008 Broadway production of A Chorus Line.[60] The pair became engaged in November 2010 and married on December 1, 2012, in an outdoor Catholic ceremony officiated by a priest at a private estate in Punta Mita, Mexico, attended by over 150 guests including Eva Longoria as a bridesmaid.[61] Lopez has publicly attributed the strength of their marriage to his Catholic faith, emphasizing that shared spiritual values and daily prayer have been foundational to their commitment and helped him grow from past errors.[62] He has stated that faith provides a "moral compass" in Hollywood, influencing his decisions to prioritize long-term partnership over fleeting romances.[63]Family and children
Lopez and his wife, Courtney Lopez (née Mazza), have three children together: daughter Gia Francesca Lopez, born on September 11, 2010; son Dominic "Nico" Luciano Lopez, born on September 9, 2013; and son Santino Rafael Lopez, born on July 7, 2019.[5][64][65] In 2022, the family relocated from their longtime Glendale residence to a larger 9,300-square-foot home in La Cañada Flintridge, California, prioritizing space for their growing family while maintaining proximity to Lopez's professional commitments in Los Angeles.[66][67] The Lopez household embraces bilingualism, with Spanish integrated into daily life to honor their Mexican heritage, as evidenced by family celebrations like daughter Gia's elaborate quinceañera in September 2025, which blended traditional elements such as father-daughter dances and cultural rituals with modern touches.[68][69] Lopez and his wife actively co-parent, dividing responsibilities to support their children's activities and milestones, often documenting these experiences through family-oriented social media posts that showcase vacations, holidays, and everyday bonding moments.[70][71]Health and fitness advocacy
Mario Lopez underwent a significant body transformation during his participation in the third season of Dancing with the Stars in 2006, where intensive dance training helped him achieve peak physical condition, weighing around 175 pounds at 5'10".[72] This experience inspired him to launch fitness initiatives, including the 2008 book Mario Lopez's Knockout Fitness, which outlined a six-week workout program combining boxing, martial arts, and strength training to sculpt muscle and reduce fat.[73] He further expanded his efforts with the 2010 book Extra Lean: The Fat-Burning Plan That Changes the Way You Eat for Life, promoting balanced diets emphasizing lean proteins, vegetables, and portion control while allowing indulgences in moderation.[74] In 2012, Lopez partnered with fitness equipment brand Body by Jake to launch "The Solution," a home workout system sold via HSN, aimed at accessible body transformations for everyday users.[75] Lopez has been a vocal advocate for preventing childhood obesity, notably through his involvement in former First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign during the 2010s. In 2014, he joined Obama for a Zumba class in Miami to promote physical activity among youth, highlighting the campaign's goal to combat rising obesity rates by encouraging healthier lifestyles in schools and communities.[76] He promotes balanced diets and fitness routines via social media platforms like Instagram, where he shares workout tips, meal ideas, and motivational content to inspire followers toward sustainable wellness.[77] As a certified personal trainer, Lopez emphasizes holistic health, incorporating his family's active routines—such as group workouts and nutritious family meals—into his advocacy.[78] His efforts extend to philanthropy, including his role as Alumni Ambassador of Fitness for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), where he supports youth fitness programs like the Triple Play initiative, which promotes physical activity and healthy eating to build lifelong habits among children.[79] Through the Mario Lopez Family Foundation, he funds healthy lifestyle education programs that provide physical activity, sports leagues, and nutrition workshops for underserved youth.[80] In 2025, Lopez intensified his focus on mental health within the entertainment industry, sharing in interviews how exercise serves as a key "de-stressor" for maintaining emotional balance amid high-pressure schedules.[81] Following his hosting of the Daytime Emmy Awards in October, he discussed the interplay of physical fitness and mental well-being in a Thrive Global interview, advocating for longevity through optimized health routines that address chronic pain and stress.[82] As a brand ambassador for Hone Health, a telehealth service specializing in longevity and hormone optimization, Lopez promotes accessible wellness tools to support both body and mind, underscoring his belief that "true success starts with taking care of your body and mind."[83]Filmography
Film roles
Mario López began his film career in the late 1980s with supporting roles in action and drama features, transitioning to a mix of live-action TV movies, independent films, and voice work in animated projects throughout the 1990s and 2000s. His cinematic appearances often featured him in ensemble casts or as charismatic side characters, reflecting his early training in theater and television. Over his career, López has accumulated approximately 20 film credits, predominantly in supporting capacities and voice acting, with a focus on family-friendly and holiday-themed productions in later years.[7] Notable among these is his recurring portrayal of A.C. Slater in the Saved by the Bell TV movies, which extended his television persona to the big screen format. In animation, López provided voices for characters in the Smurfs franchise, starting with Social Smurf in the 2013 sequel, contributing to the film's ensemble of celebrity-voiced Smurfs that emphasized social media themes. He also lent his voice to Zeus, the family dog, in the direct-to-video Dog Who Saved series, a popular holiday franchise known for its lighthearted, pet-centric adventures.| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Colors | Gang member #1 | Debut feature film; supporting role in Dennis Hopper-directed crime drama about LAPD gang unit.[84] |
| 1992 | Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style | A.C. Slater | TV movie; reprised role from series in vacation-themed story. |
| 1994 | Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas | A.C. Slater | TV movie; featured in ensemble wedding plot continuation. |
| 1996 | Depraved | Jessie Mata | Independent thriller; one of early adult-oriented roles post-teen fame.[85] |
| 1997 | The Journey: Absolution | Ryan Murphy | Sci-fi TV movie; portrayed a key supporting character in redemption narrative. |
| 1999 | Eastside | Antonio Lopez | Crime drama; lead supporting role as a young man navigating gang life. |
| 2000 | Big Brother Trouble | Coach | Family comedy; played a mentor figure in sibling adventure. |
| 2001 | A Crack in the Floor | Lehman | Horror film; minor role in low-budget creature feature.[86] |
| 2002 | Outta Time | David Morales | Action thriller; supporting lead in story of escaped convicts.[87] |
| 2002 | King Rikki | Juan Vallejo | Crime drama adaptation of Macbeth; ensemble role in Shakespearean gang tale. |
| 2003 | Pauly Shore Is Dead | Himself | Mockumentary comedy; cameo as himself in Hollywood satire. |
| 2005 | Aloha, Scooby-Doo! | Manu (voice) | Direct-to-video animated; voiced surfer character in Mystery Inc. adventure. |
| 2008 | Husband for Hire | Marco | Romantic comedy TV movie; portrayed a charming suitor in fake marriage plot. |
| 2009 | The Dog Who Saved Christmas | Zeus (voice) | Direct-to-video holiday film; voiced the heroic family pet. |
| 2010 | The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation | Zeus (voice) | Sequel in holiday series; reprised voice role in vacation-themed story. |
| 2011 | Honey 2 | Celebrity Host | Dance drama; cameo as host in street dance competition narrative.[88] |
| 2013 | The Smurfs 2 | Social Smurf (voice) | Animated family film; voiced tech-savvy Smurf in Paris-set adventure. |
| 2014 | The Dog Who Saved Easter | Zeus (voice) | Holiday direct-to-video; continued voice work in seasonal franchise. |
| 2015 | Pitch Perfect 2 | Himself | Musical comedy cameo; appeared as celebrity guest in a cappella sequel. |
| 2016 | Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping | Himself | Mockumentary cameo; featured in satirical take on pop stardom. |
| 2021 | Holiday in Santa Fe | Tony Ortega | Holiday TV movie; leading role as gift shop co-owner in romantic storyline.[89] |
| 2024 | Once Upon a Christmas Wish | Brian | Holiday TV movie; supporting role in family Christmas story.[90] |
| 2024 | Mr. Throwback | Himself | Miniseries; cameo appearance.[91] |
| 2025 | The Christmas Spark | Leading role | Holiday film; firefighter in romantic comedy.[92] |
| 2025 | Heads of State | Himself | Action comedy; cameo as himself.[93] |