Mario Lopez
Mario Lopez | |
---|---|
Born | Chula Vista, California, U.S. | October 10, 1973
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1984–present |
Spouses | |
Children | 3 |
Relatives | Kailee Wong (brother-in-law) |
Mario Lopez (born October 10, 1973
Early life, family and education
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, 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
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.[8]
Acting
Lopez began acting in 1984 when he appeared as younger brother Tomás in the short-lived ABC comedy series a.k.a. Pablo.[9] 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
In 1997, Lopez starred as Olympic diver
Also in the fall of 2006, Lopez signed on as a contestant on the
Lopez and Courtney Mazza had a reality show on VH1 called Mario Lopez: Saved by the Baby which premiered on November 1, 2010.[17] 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.[18][19] In 2024, Lopez signed a multi-year deal with Great American Media.[20][21]
Hosting duties
In 1992, he hosted his first series on NBC, called
Lopez has guest co-hosted
Starting in 2012, Lopez began hosting his own nationally syndicated radio show,
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
In 2024, Lopez began hosting the Game Show Network series Blank Slate.[29]
Stage career
Outside of TV, Lopez made his Broadway debut on April 15, 2008, in the revival of the musical A Chorus Line as Zach.[30][31]
Books
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).[32] His book Extra Lean followed in early 2010 and became a New York Times bestseller.[33] Extra Lean Family was published in May 2012.[34] 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.[35][36]
Musical
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".[37] Lopez helped revive the band as their new manager, and in 2023, Menudo released their first single under Lopez, named "Mi Amore".[38]
Personal life
According to Lopez, Fergie was his first kiss and the two were involved briefly while they were both on the show Kids Incorporated.[39]
In 1993, Lopez was accused of date rape,[40] but prosecutors found no evidence to support the allegation, and multiple witnesses "contradicted the woman's account of her encounter" with Lopez.[41]
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,[42] but their marriage was annulled two weeks later.[42] 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.[43] Lopez dated professional dancer Karina Smirnoff, his Dancing with the Stars partner, from 2006 to June 2008.[44]
In the fall of 2008, Lopez met Broadway dancer, actress, and producer Courtney Mazza on A Chorus Line on Broadway in New York.[45] They married in Punta Mita, Mexico, on December 1, 2012.[46] They have a daughter (b. 2010)[47][48] and two sons (b. 2013 and 2019).[49][50]
Lopez has stated that he is
He is a proponent of health and fitness, and was the cover feature for the November 2013 issue of FitnessRX For Men magazine.
Filmography
Film
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[57] |
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
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[58] | 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 |
2010–2011 | 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[59] |
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[18][19] |
2020 | Miss Universe 2020 | Himself | Host |
2021 | Holiday in Santa Fe | Tony Ortega | Television film |
2022 | Family Guy | Himself | Voice, episode: "Oscars Guy" |
2024–present | Blank Slate | Himself | Host |
Awards
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
- ^ a b "Celebrity Central: Mario Lopez". People.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Biography". TVGuide.com. 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!.
- ^ "Mario Lopez flashes back to his disco days with hilarious retro photo". TODAY.com.
- ISBN 9780698158870.
- ^ "Raising Mario Lopez | Mom Tells All". YouTube. August 30, 2017.
- ISBN 9780698158870. 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.
- ^ [11][12][13]
- ^ "The Saved By the Bell Revival Finally Has a Premiere Date". E! Online. September 29, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- Soapcentral. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Gets VH1 Reality Show". TVGuide.com.
- ^ a b "Mario Lopez Stirs up 'A Recipe for Seduction' as KFC's Colonel Sanders in New Lifetime Mini-Movie". December 8, 2020.
- ^ a b "KFC And Lifetime Heat Up The Holidays With A First-of-its-kind Lifetime Original Mini-Movie: A Recipe For Seduction". Global.kfc.com. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- ^ "Saved by the jingle bell: Mario Lopez joins Great American Christmas in multi-year deal". Ew.com. February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Great American Media signs multiyear deal with Mario Lopez". Washingtonexaminer.com. February 6, 2024.
- ^ Khloe Kardashian and Mario Lopez will join the payroll of "X Factor". TMZ.com. October 2, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
- ^ Ledger, Emma (April 23, 2013). "Khloe Kardashian gets axed by X Factor USA after just one series". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- ^ Nellie Andreeva (February 8, 2014). "Fox's 'The X Factor' Cancelled After Three Seasons – Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- ^ "Mario Lopez's Cat Dilemma". contactmusic.com. September 5, 2004. 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. Mario Lopez hosts gala for Pageant of the Masters. Orange County Register. August 29, 2010. 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.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2008.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Joins 'A Chorus Line' on April 15". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ "Jeff O'Connell". hachette book group. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
- ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (June 6, 2010). "Bestseller New York Times – Hardcover Advice & Misc". The New York Times. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
- ^ Extra Lean Family: Get Lean and Achieve Your Family's Best Health Ever. Amazon. May 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
- ^ "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" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Latina – Latino & Latin American News, Culture, Heritage, Food, Entertainment". Latina.
- ^ "Woman, 18, Accuses TV Actor of Rape". latimes.com. May 11, 1993. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ^ "CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF: SAN DIEGO: Rape Claims Called Unfounded". Los Angeles Times. June 18, 1993.
- ^ a b Mark Armstrong, Ulrica Wihlborg (May 12, 2004). "Landry, Lopez Split After 2-Week Marriage". People. 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. 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.com. September 12, 2010. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
- ^ "Mario Lopez and Courtney Mazza Welcome a Baby Girl!". ExtraTV.com. September 12, 2010. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
- ^ "Mario and Courtney Lopez Welcome Son Dominic". People. September 10, 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu". Jiu-Jitsu Times. February 13, 2017. 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". ExtraTV.com. 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
- Official website [dead link]
- Mario Lopez at IMDb
- Mario Lopez at the Internet Broadway Database