View source for Mario Lopez

{{Short description|American actor (born 1973)}}
{{other people}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = 
| image              = Mario Lopez by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
| caption            = Lopez in 2023
| birth_name         = <!-- Do not add middle name, etc. unless sourced to a [[WP:RS]] -->
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1973|10|10}}
| birth_place        = [[Chula Vista, California]], U.S.
| occupation         = {{Flatlist|
* Actor
* television host
}}
| years_active       = 1984–present
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[Ali Landry]]|2004|2004|end=annulled}}
* {{marriage|Courtney Mazza|2012}}
}}
| children           = 3
| relatives          = [[Kailee Wong]] (brother-in-law)
}}

'''Mario Lopez''' (born October 10, 1973<ref name="Peoplebio" />) is an American actor and television host. He has appeared on several television series, in films, and on [[Broadway theatre|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 [[Saved by the Bell (2020 TV series)|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 (American TV program)|Extra]]'' and ''[[Access Hollywood]]''. He has also hosted ''[[America's Best Dance Crew]]'' for [[MTV]]. In 2012, he co-hosted the [[The X Factor (American TV series) season 2|second season]] of the American version of ''[[The X Factor (American TV series)|The X Factor]]'' with [[Khloé Kardashian]], and was the sole host for the [[The X Factor (American TV series) season 3|third and final season]].

==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.<ref name="Peoplebio">{{cite web| url=http://www.people.com/people/mario_lopez| title=Celebrity Central: Mario Lopez| magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]| date=June 30, 2016| access-date=May 25, 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829183236/http://www.people.com/people/mario_lopez| archive-date=August 29, 2016}}</ref><ref name="TVGuide">{{cite web| title=Mario Lopez Biography| url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/mario-lopez/bio/3000397327/| access-date=August 16, 2021| website=[[TV Guide]]}}</ref><ref name=fdr1>''[[Finding Your Roots]]'', February 1, 2022.</ref> Lopez was raised in a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] family. His parents are both emigrants from [[Mexico]]. His father was born in [[Culiacán]], [[Sinaloa]], and his mother in [[Tijuana]], [[Baja California]].<ref name=fdr1/><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.okmagazine.com/news/ok-exclusive-pic-mario-lopez-his-bundle-joy/| title=Mario Lopez & His Bundle of Joy !| work=[[OK!]]|  date=October 13, 2010| quote='I come from a small, fat Mexican Catholic family,' Mario tells OK!| access-date=October 16, 2010| first=Mary Beth| last=Quirk}}</ref> 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 dance|tap]] and [[Jazz dance|jazz]].<ref>{{cite news| title=Mario Lopez flashes back to his disco days with hilarious retro photo| url=https://www.today.com/popculture/mario-lopez-flashes-back-his-disco-days-hilarious-retro-photo-t121418| first=Randee| last=Dawn| date=January 19, 2018| work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]| access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref> He also did tumbling, karate and wrestling at his local [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America|Boys and Girls Club]] when he was 7 years old.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lopez |first1=Mario |last2=Santagati |first2=Steve |title=Just Between Us |date=2014 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-6981-5887-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ex90AwAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref> He excelled at these as well as other activities in which his mother enrolled him.<ref>{{cite web| title=Raising Mario Lopez {{!}} Mom Tells All| website=[[YouTube]]| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb7bMMrsFiA| date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> During high school at [[Chula Vista High School]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Virchis |first=William A. |date=June 3, 2022 |orig-date=June 3, 2022 |title=Chula Vista native Mario Lopez is receiving a big honor, and it's not related to Hollywood |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2022/06/03/chula-vista-native-mario-lopez-is-receiving-a-big-honor-and-its-not-related-to-hollywood/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |newspaper=[[San Diego Union-Tribune]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Page |first=Eric S. |date=2020-12-07 |title=Secret's Out, Chicken Man: Chula Vista's Mario Lopez IS Colonel Sanders |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/entertainment/secrets-out-chicken-man-chula-vistas-mario-lopez-is-colonel-sanders/2464427/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=NBC 7 San Diego |language=en-US}}</ref> he was on the school's wrestling team at the weight class of {{cvt|160|lb}}. 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.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lopez |first1=Mario |last2=Santagati |first2=Steve |title=Just Between Us |year=2014 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-6981-5887-0 |page=47 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ex90AwAAQBAJ |access-date=September 30, 2018 |language=en| via=Google Books}}</ref>

===Acting===
Lopez began acting in 1984 when he appeared as younger brother Tomás in the short-lived [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] comedy series ''[[a.k.a. Pablo]]''.<ref name="sstar">{{cite news| url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20109196,00.html| title=Saturday's Star| last=Allis| first=Tim| date=November 30, 1992| work=People| access-date=February 10, 2009}}</ref> 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 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).<ref>{{cite web |title=Mario Lopez |url=https://www.biography.com/people/mario-lopez-20972939 |website=Biography |language=en-us}}</ref> 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.{{refn|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Watch a Glorious Saved by the Bell Reunion Courtesy of Jimmy Fallon |url= https://time.com/3696826/jimmy-fallon-saved-by-the-bell-reunion-tonight-show/|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=  February 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Jimmy Fallon assembled the cast of 'Saved by The Bell' for an epic reunion| url=http://www.businessinsider.com/jimmy-fallon-saved-by-the-bell-reunion-2015-2|website=[[Business Insider]]|access-date= February 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Jimmy Fallon reunites most of the 'Saved by the Bell' cast| url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-jimmy-fallon-reunites-most-of-the-saved-by-the-bell-cast-20150205-story.html|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=February 5, 2015|access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref>}} In 2020, Lopez reprised the role of A.C. Slater in [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]]'s sequel series, ''[[Saved by the Bell (2020 TV series)|Saved by the Bell]]''.<ref>{{cite news| date=September 29, 2020| title=The Saved By the Bell Revival Finally Has a Premiere Date| url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1192949/the-saved-by-the-bell-revival-finally-has-a-premiere-date| access-date=May 25, 2025| first=Allison| last=Crist| website=[[E!]] Online| archive-date=November 15, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201115203641/https://www.eonline.com/news/1192949/the-saved-by-the-bell-revival-finally-has-a-premiere-date| url-status=live}}</ref>

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 (TV 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 (U.S. TV series)|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.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.soapcentral.com/bb/news/2006/0703-lopez.php| title=Lopez's B&B Stay Over| last=Kroll| first=Dan J.| date=July 2, 2006| website=[[Soapcentral]]| access-date=February 10, 2009}}</ref> 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 (TV network)|FX Network]]'s ''[[Nip/Tuck]]'' during the show's fourth season, which began in autumn 2006. He also made an appearance on ''[[George Lopez (TV series)|George Lopez]]'' as a police officer in late 2006.

Also in the fall of 2006, Lopez signed on as a contestant on the [[Dancing with the Stars (American season 3)|third season of ''Dancing with the Stars'']] on [[American Broadcasting Company|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Lopez-Reality-Show-1020557.aspx| title=Mario Lopez Gets VH1 Reality Show| magazine=TV Guide}}</ref> 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 (TV network)|Lifetime]] and [[KFC]].<ref name="RfS1">{{cite news| url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/mario-lopez-stirs-up-a-recipe-for-seduction-as-kfcs-colonel-sanders-in-new-lifetime-mini-movie-1234651880/| title=Mario Lopez Stirs up 'A Recipe for Seduction' as KFC's Colonel Sanders in New Lifetime Mini-Movie| date=December 8, 2020| first=Alexandra| last=Del Rosario| website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref name="RfS2">{{cite press release| url=https://global.kfc.com/press-releases/kfc-and-lifetime-heat-up-the-holidays-with-a-first-of-its-kind-lifetime |title=KFC And Lifetime Heat Up The Holidays With A First-of-its-kind Lifetime Original Mini-Movie: A Recipe For Seduction| publisher=KFC| date=December 7, 2020 |accessdate=May 25, 2025}}</ref> In 2024, Lopez signed a multi-year deal with [[Great American Media]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://ew.com/mario-lopez-joins-great-american-family-8557192| title=Saved by the jingle bell: Mario Lopez joins Great American Christmas in multi-year deal| date=February 6, 2024| magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2839837/great-american-media-signs-deal-mario-lopez/|title=Great American Media signs multiyear deal with Mario Lopez| date=February 6, 2024| newspaper=[[Washington Examiner]]}}</ref>

===Hosting duties===
[[File:MarioLopezAAFeb09.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Lopez at the 81st Academy Awards, February 20, 2009]]
In 1992, he hosted his first series on NBC, called ''[[Name Your Adventure]]''. He hosted the serial tabloid ''[[Extra (American TV program)|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 [[Television networks preceding Freeform|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 Broadcasting Network|Fox]] singing competition ''[[The X Factor (U.S.)|The X Factor]]'' along with [[Khloe Kardashian]].<ref name="xfact">{{cite news| url=https://www.tmz.com/2012/10/02/khloe-kardashian-mario-lopez-x-factor-hosts/| title=We'll Be Your 'X Factor' Co-Hosts| website=[[TMZ]]| date=October 2, 2012| access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref> In September 2013, Lopez returned to the show as sole host for [[The X Factor (U.S. season 3)|season 3]] after Kardashian was not asked back as co-host.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/khloe-kardashian-gets-axed-x-1850007| title=Khloe Kardashian gets axed by X Factor USA after just one series| first=Emma| last=Ledger| date=April 23, 2013| newspaper=[[Daily Mirror]]| location=London| access-date=September 4, 2015}}</ref> ''The X Factor'' was cancelled on February 7, 2014.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://deadline.com/2014/02/x-factor-cancelled-fox-simon-cowell-679510/| title=Fox's 'The X Factor' Cancelled After Three Seasons| first=Nellie| last=Andreeva| work=Deadline Hollywood| date=February 8, 2014|access-date=September 4, 2015}}</ref> From 2002 to 2005, he was the host of the [[Animal Planet]] show ''Pet Star'', despite some difficulty with an allergy to cats.<ref>{{cite news| title=Mario Lopez's Cat Dilemma| url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/mario-lopez.s-cat-dilemma| access-date=October 16, 2013| website=Contactmusic.com| date=September 5, 2004| archive-date=October 17, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017011712/http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/mario-lopez.s-cat-dilemma| url-status=dead}}</ref> Lopez hosted the [[Miss America]] pageant in 2007, 2009, and 2010.

Lopez has guest co-hosted ''[[The Wendy Williams Show]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://spoilerville.unrealitytv.com/mario-lopez-showed-off-his-abs-and-sexy-underwear-range-ratedm-on-the-wendy-williams-show-pictures |title=Mario Lopez showed off his abs and sexy underwear range 'RatedM' on The Wendy Williams Show |website=Unreality TV |date=February 6, 2012 |access-date=February 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208144243/http://spoilerville.unrealitytv.com/mario-lopez-showed-off-his-abs-and-sexy-underwear-range-ratedm-on-the-wendy-williams-show-pictures/ |archive-date=February 8, 2012}}</ref> and MCed the gala benefit for the 2010 Pageant of the Masters arts festival in [[Laguna Beach]], California.<ref>Chang, Richard (August 29, 2010). [http://www.ocregister.com/articles/gala-264171-laguna-pageant.html "Mario Lopez hosts gala for Pageant of the Masters"]. ''Orange County Register''. Retrieved October 2, 2012.</ref>

Starting in 2012, Lopez began hosting his own nationally syndicated radio show, ''ON With Mario Lopez'', for [[Premiere Radio Networks|Premiere Radio]]. It streams online daily on [[iHeartRadio]] and airs on selected CHR and Hot AC stations (particularly on [[KBIG|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 (American TV program)|Access Hollywood]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/tv/mario-lopez-joins-access-hollywood/ |title=Mario Lopez Named New Host of ''Access Hollywood'' After Exit from ''Extra'' |website=People |date=July 17, 2019 |access-date=July 23, 2019}}</ref> 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''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Novak |first=Lauren |date=2023-11-13 |title=Mario Lopez to Host New Game Show 'Blank Slate' Coming to GSN |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1111423/blank-slate-mario-lopez-game-show-network/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=TV Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Stage career===
Outside of TV, Lopez made his [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut on April 15, 2008, in the revival of the [[musical theatre|musical]] ''[[A Chorus Line]]'' as Zach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/119844.html |title=PHOTO CALL: Mario Lopez Honored with Painting at Tony's Di Napoli |magazine=[[Playbill]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802010059/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/119844.html |archive-date=August 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=25696 |title=Mario Lopez Joins 'A Chorus Line' on April 15 |website=[[BroadwayWorld]] |access-date=May 21, 2010}}</ref>

===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]]).<ref>{{cite web| title=Jeff O'Connell| url=https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/jeff-oconnell/| website=Hachette Book Group| date=June 28, 2017| access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref> His book ''Extra Lean'' followed in early 2010 and became a [[The New York Times|New York Times]] bestseller.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-06-06/hardcover-advice/list.html |title=Bestseller New York Times – Hardcover Advice & Misc. |date=June 6, 2010 |access-date=February 8, 2011 |work=The New York Times |first=Jennifer |last=Schuessler}}</ref> ''Extra Lean Family'' was published in May 2012.<ref>{{cite book| title=Extra Lean Family: Get Lean and Achieve Your Family's Best Health Ever|date=May 3, 2011| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z7jM2rUlljgC&dq=Extra+Lean+Family:+Get+Lean+and+Achieve+Your+Family%27s+Best+Health+Ever&pg=PT15| first1=Mario| last1=Lopez| author2=Jimmy Pena| publisher=Penguin| access-date=May 25, 2025| isbn=978-1-1015-3711-4}}</ref>  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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/125086/mario-lopez-to-release-childrens-book-in-september/| title= Mario Lopez To Release Children's Book In September| website= inquisitr.com| date= July 10, 2011| access-date=July 10, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mario Lopez Uses Baby Gia As Inspiration For New Book| url= http://www.celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/07/10/mario-lopez-uses-baby-gia-as-inspiration-for-new-book|access-date=October 9, 2013 |work=celebritybabyscoop.com|date=July 10, 2011}}</ref>

===Musical===
In 2022, it was announced that Lopez is involved in an effort to revive the Puerto Rican boy band [[Menudo (group)|Menudo]], as he oversaw auditions that took place, in a project named "Menudo: A New Beginning".<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/veronicavillafane/2022/07/07/mario-lopez-teams-up-with-menudo-productions-for-talent-search-and-revival-of-menudo/?sh=5c63297663e3| title=Mario Lopez Teams up with Menudo Productions for Talent Search and Revival of Menudo| website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> Lopez helped revive the band as their new manager, and in 2023, Menudo released their first single under Lopez, named "Mi Amore".<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_9P7uoHls0| title=MENUDO at Universal Citywalk Hollywood #MENUDO 2023 @menudo_official| date=March 28, 2023| via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>

==Personal life==
According to Lopez, [[Fergie (singer)|Fergie]] was his first kiss, and the two were involved briefly while they were both on the show ''[[Kids Incorporated]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://latina.com/|title=Latina – Latino & Latin American News, Culture, Heritage, Food, Entertainment|website=Latina}}</ref>

In 1993, Lopez was accused of date rape,<ref>{{cite news| title=Woman, 18, Accuses TV Actor of Rape| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-05-11-mn-33836-story.html| access-date=October 16, 2013| newspaper=Los Angeles Times| date=May 11, 1993}}</ref> but prosecutors found no evidence to support the allegation, and multiple witnesses "contradicted the woman's account of her encounter" with Lopez.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-18-mn-4425-story.html| newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]| title=CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF: SAN DIEGO: Rape Claims Called Unfounded| date=June 18, 1993}}</ref>

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,<ref name=people>{{cite news| url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,636482,00.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320014321/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,636482,00.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=March 20, 2008| title=Landry, Lopez Split After 2-Week Marriage| magazine=People| date=May 12, 2004| access-date=September 12, 2010| first1=Ulrica| last1=Wihlborg| author2=Mark Armstrong}}</ref> but their marriage was annulled two weeks later.<ref name=people/> In a 2011 interview, Lopez admitted that the parting transpired after Landry discovered Lopez was [[infidelity|unfaithful]] to her days before the wedding at his [[bachelor party]].<ref name=usweeklycheating>{{cite news| url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-body/news/mario-lopez-i-cheated-on-ex-ali-landry-days-before-wedding-2011112| title=Mario Lopez: I Cheated on Ex Ali Landry Days Before Wedding| magazine=[[Us Weekly]]| date=February 11, 2011| access-date=December 2, 2012}}</ref> Lopez dated professional dancer [[Karina Smirnoff]], his ''[[Dancing with the Stars]]'' partner, from 2006 to June 2008.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20423595,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001175508/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20423595,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 1, 2010 |title=Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff Split| magazine=People |date=June 5, 2008 |access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref>

In the fall of 2008, Lopez met [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] dancer, actress, and producer Courtney Mazza on ''A Chorus Line'' on Broadway in New York.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Story of How We Met and Fell in Love {{!}} Mario and Courtney Lopez |website = [[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIbRQEUbc2g |date=April 26, 2017}}</ref> They married in [[Punta Mita|Punta Mita, Mexico]], on December 1, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/mario-lopez-marries-courtney-mazza/ |title=Mario Lopez Weds Courtney Mazza |magazine=People |date=December 1, 2012 |access-date=December 2, 2012}}</ref> They have a daughter Gia (b. 2010)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20425204,00.html |title=It's a Girl for Mario Lopez & Courtney Mazza |magazine=People |date=September 12, 2010 |access-date=September 12, 2010 |archive-date=August 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829202022/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20425204,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2010/09/mario_lopez_and_courtney_mazza_welcome_a_baby_girl.php |title=Mario Lopez and Courtney Mazza Welcome a Baby Girl! |website=[[Extra (American TV program)|Extra]] |date=September 12, 2010 |access-date=September 12, 2010}}</ref> and two sons Dominic & Santino (b. 2013 and 2019).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2013/09/10/mario-lopez-courtney-lopez-welcome-son-dominic/ |title=Mario and Courtney Lopez Welcome Son Dominic |magazine=People |date=September 10, 2013 |access-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=September 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912221024/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2013/09/10/mario-lopez-courtney-lopez-welcome-son-dominic/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/mario-lopez-courtney-mazza-welcome-3rd-child-together/ |title=Baby No. 3! Mario Lopez's Wife Courtney Mazza Gives Birth |journal=Us Weekly |date=July 8, 2019 |access-date=July 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Michelle |title=Mario Lopez Shares Before-and-After Photos of His 'Busted' Eye from Jiu-Jitsu Injury: 'Makeup Magic' |url=https://people.com/mario-lopez-shares-before-and-after-photos-of-busted-eye-makeup-transformation-8411473 |website=People |access-date=2 June 2024}}</ref>

Lopez has stated that he is [[Catholic]] and goes to church every week.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/pop-vox/2009/10/14/q-amp-a-mario-lopez-suits-up-in-women-s-lingerie.html| title=Q&A: Mario Lopez Suits Up in Women's Lingerie| work=[[Newsweek]]| date=October 14, 2019| quote=Do you go to church? "Every week. Nice Catholic boy."| access-date=September 12, 2010}}</ref> In March 2018, he underwent [[baptism by immersion]] at the [[Jordan River]], which was administered by a Catholic priest.<ref>{{cite news| last1=Parke| first1=Caleb| title='Hallelujah': Mario Lopez gets baptized in the same river as Jesus| url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/hallelujah-mario-lopez-gets-baptized-in-the-same-river-as-jesus/| work=[[Fox News]]| date=March 27, 2018| access-date=March 28, 2018}}</ref>

He is a proponent of health and fitness, and was the cover feature for the November 2013 issue of ''FitnessRX For Men'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Get Leaner, Stronger and Faster!|url=http://fitnessrxformen.com/lifestyle/in-this-issue/get-leaner-stronger-and-faster/|website=Fitness Rx|date=October 2013|access-date=January 21, 2015}}</ref> To complement his fitness regime, Lopez is an amateur boxer and a purple belt in [[Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]]; he began training in early 2017<ref>{{cite web| url=https://jiujitsutimes.com/mario-lopez-brazilian-jiu-jitsu/| title=Mario Lopez Does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu| work=Jiu-Jitsu Times| date=February 13, 2017| access-date=February 25, 2018| last=Zahar| first=Chris}}</ref> and received his blue belt in February 2018 under Professor Robert Hill of [[Gracie Barra]] Glendale.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://jiujitsutimes.com/actor-host-mario-lopez-now-blue-belt-now-brazilian-jiu-jitsu/| title=Actor And Host Mario Lopez Is Now A Blue Belt In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu| date=February 17, 2018| work=Jiu-Jitsu Times| access-date=February 25, 2018}}</ref> He received his purple belt in November 2022.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://grapplinginsider.com/mario-lopez-promoted-to-purple-belt/| title=Mario Lopez Promoted to Purple Belt| date=November 14, 2022| website=Grappling Insider| access-date=November 14, 2022}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1986
| ''Chartbusters''
| {{TableTBA|N/A}}
| Direct-to-video film
|-
| 1988
| ''[[Colors (1988 film)|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 (film)|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<ref name="extratv.com">{{cite news| title=Pic! Introducing Mario as Social Smurf| url=http://www.extratv.com/2013/04/22/pic-introducing-mario-as-social-smurf/| access-date=April 30, 2013| newspaper=Extra| date=April 22, 2013}}</ref>
|-
| 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===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! 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]]''<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.swaggermagazine.com/home/style/kings-of-swagger/mario-lopez/| title=Mario Lopez Can Teach You Something about Enjoying Family, Food and a Few Other 'Fs'| date=October 30, 2018| website=Swagger Magazine| access-date=March 11, 2019}}</ref>
| [[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 (film)|Killing Mr. Griffin]]''
| Dave Ruggles
| Television film
|-
| 1999
| ''[[Pacific Blue (TV series)|Pacific Blue]]''
| Bobby Cruz
| Main role (seasons 4–5)
|-
| 2001–2003
| ''[[The Other Half (talk show)|The Other Half]]''
| Himself
| Host
|-
| 2002–2005
| ''Pet Star''
| Himself
| Host
|-
| 2004
| ''The Soluna Project''
| Antonio
| Television film
|-
| 2006
| ''[[The Bold and the Beautiful]]''
| [[List of The Bold and the Beautiful characters|Christian Ramirez]]
| Contract role, 46 episodes
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Dancing with the Stars (American season 3)|Dancing with the Stars]]''
| Himself
| Contestant (season 3)
|-
| 2006–2010
| ''[[Nip/Tuck]]''
| Dr. Mike Hamoui
| Recurring role, 8 episodes
|-
| 2007
| ''[[George Lopez (TV series)|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 (American TV program)|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: "[[List of Are You There, Chelsea? episodes|Dee Dee's Pillow]]"
|-
| 2012–2013
| ''[[The X Factor (American TV series)|The X Factor]]''
| Himself
| Co-host (season 2) 
|-
| 2012–2013
| ''[[The Chica Show]]''
| Stitches
| Voice
|-
| 2015–2016
| ''[[Nashville (2012 TV series)|Nashville]]''
| Himself
| Episodes: "I've Got Reasons to Hate You" and "The Trouble with the Truth"
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Major Crimes (TV series)|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 (game show)|Candy Crush]]''
| Himself
| Host<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/mario-lopez-host-cbs-candy-crush-988369| title=Mario Lopez to Host CBS' 'Candy Crush'| first=Leslie| last=Goldberg| date=March 23, 2017| newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]| access-date=March 23, 2017}}</ref>
|-
| 2017
| ''A Very Merry Toy Store''
| Will DiNova
|Television film
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Elena of Avalor]]''
| Cruz
| Voice, 7 episodes
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Jane the Virgin]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "[[Jane the Virgin (season 4)#ep79|Chapter Seventy-Nine]]"
|-
| 2018–2019
| ''[[The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (TV series)|The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle]]''
| Himself 
| Recurring voice role
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Brooklyn Nine-Nine]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "[[Four Movements]]"
|-
| 2019
| ''[[The Rookie (TV series)|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 (2020 TV series)|Saved by the Bell]]''
| [[A.C. Slater]]
| Main role
|-
| 2020
| ''[[A Recipe for Seduction]]''
| Harland Sanders
| Short television film<ref name="RfS1" /><ref name="RfS2" />
|-
| 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==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=February 2016}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Group
! Award
! Role
! Result
! Refs
|-
| 1990
| [[Young Artist Awards]]
| Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast
| ''[[Saved by the Bell]]''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 
|-
| 1991
| [[Young Artist Awards]]
| Best Young Actor Starring in an Off-Primetime Series
| ''Saved by the Bell''
| {{nom}}
| 
|-
| 1992
| [[Young Artist Awards]]
| Best Young Actor Starring in an Off-Primetime or Cable Series
| ''Saved by the Bell''
| {{nom}}
| 
|-
| 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]]''
| {{nom}}
| 
|-
| 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]]''
| {{nom}}
| 
|-
| 1999
| [[ALMA Awards]]
| Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
| ''[[Pacific Blue (TV series)|Pacific Blue]]''
| {{nom}}
| 
|-
| 2006
| [[Imagen Foundation Awards]]
| Best Supporting Actor
| ''[[The Bold and the Beautiful]]''
| {{nom}}
| 
|-
| 2009
| [[Teen Choice Awards]]
| Choice TV Personality
| ''[[Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew]]''
| {{nom}}
| 
|-
| 2010
| [[Teen Choice Awards]]
| Choice TV Personality
| Himself
| {{nom}}
|  
|-
| 2011
| [[ALMA Awards]]
| Favorite TV Reality, Variety, or Comedy Personality or Act
| ''[[Mario Lopez: Saved By the Baby]]''
| {{nom}}
| 
|-
| 2011
| [[Young Artist Awards]]
| Mickey Rooney Award
| Himself
| {{won}}
|  
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikinews|Mario Lopez favored to win Dancing with the Stars}}
* {{Official website|http://www.mariolopez.net}} {{Dead link|date=July 2022}}
* {{IMDb name|0530249}}
* {{IBDB name}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | title=[[Dancing with the Stars (American TV series)|''Dancing with the Stars'' (U.S.)]] runner up | before= [[Jerry Rice]] & [[Anna Trebunskaya]] | years=Season 3 (Fall 2006 with [[Karina Smirnoff]]) |after=[[Joey Fatone]] & [[Kym Herjavec|Kym Johnson]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{S-start}}
{{S-media}}
{{Succession box| title=Host of ''[[Masters of the Maze]]''| before=[[J. D. Roth]] | after=series cancelled | years=1995–1996}}
{{Succession box| title=Hosts of [[Miss Universe]] with [[Vanessa Minnillo]]| before=[[Nancy O'Dell]] and [[Carlos Ponce]] |after=[[Jerry Springer]] and [[Mel B]] | years=[[Miss Universe 2007|2007]]}}
{{Succession box| title=Hosts of [[Miss Universe]] with [[Olivia Culpo]]| before=[[Steve Harvey]]  |after=Steve Harvey  | years=[[Miss Universe 2020|2020]]}}
{{Succession box| title=Host of [[Miss America]]| before=[[James Denton (actor)|James Denton]] |after=[[Mark Steines]] | years=[[Miss America 2007|2007]]}}
{{Succession box| title=Host of [[Miss America]]| before=[[Mark Steines]] |after=[[Chris Harrison]] and [[Brooke Burke Charvet]]| years=[[Miss America 2009|2009]]–[[Miss America 2010|2010]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{Menudo}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lopez, Mario}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American game show hosts]]
[[Category:American infotainers]]
[[Category:American male actors of Mexican descent]]
[[Category:American male child actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American male soap opera actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:American Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:American television sports commentators]]
[[Category:Beauty pageant hosts]]
[[Category:American boxing commentators]]
[[Category:Catholics from California]]
[[Category:Entertainment journalists]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from San Diego County, California]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Chula Vista, California]]