Mario Lopez is a well-known American actor and television host. He was born on October 10, 1973. Many people know him for playing A.C. Slater on the popular TV show Sed by the Bell. He also appeared in its follow-up shows.
Besides acting, Mario Lopez is famous for hosting many TV programs. These include Extra, Access Hollywood, and America's Best Dance Crew. He has also competed on Dancing with the Stars.
Contents About Mario Lopez Early Life and Family Education and Early Talents Mario Lopez's Career Acting Roles Hosting Many Shows Stage and Books Music Projects Mario Lopez's Personal Life Film and Television Appearances Films Television Shows Awards and Recognition See also About Mario Lopez Early Life and FamilyMario Lopez was born in Chula Vista, California. His parents, Elvira and Mario, came from Mexico. His father was from Culiacán and his mother from Tijuana. Mario grew up in a Catholic family. He has a younger sister named Marissa. She is married to former NFL player Kailee Wong.
Education and Early TalentsMario started dancing when he was only three years old. He learned both tap and jazz. He also enjoyed tumbling, karate, and wrestling at his local Boys and Girls Club. He was very good at these activities.
In high school, at Chula Vista High School, Mario was on the wrestling team. He did very well in wrestling competitions. He graduated from high school in 1991.
Mario Lopez's CareerMario Lopez was discovered by a talent agent when he was 10. This happened at a dance recital. He first appeared in local ads and commercials. Soon after, he started acting on TV.
Acting RolesMario began his acting career in 1984. He played Tomás in the TV show a.k.a. Pablo. In the same year, he joined Kids Incorporated as a drummer and dancer. He was on that show for three seasons.
In 1989, Mario got a big role as A.C. Slater in Sed by the Bell. This show was very popular on Saturday mornings. He continued playing A.C. Slater in Sed by the Bell: The College Years. In 2020, he returned to play the character again in a new Sed by the Bell series on Peacock.
Mario also starred as Olympic diver Greg Louganis in a 1997 TV movie. He was a contestant on the third season of Dancing with the Stars in 2006. He and his partner, Karina Smirnoff, finished in second place. In 2020, Mario played Colonel Sanders in a short film called A Recipe for Seduction.
Hosting Many Shows Mario Lopez at the Academy Awards in 2009Mario Lopez has hosted many different TV shows. In 1992, he hosted Name Your Adventure on NBC. He became well-known for hosting the entertainment news show Extra. He also hosted America's Best Dance Crew for MTV.
From 2012 to 2014, he co-hosted The X Factor, a singing competition. He hosted the Miss America pageant several times. In 2019, Mario started hosting Access Hollywood, another entertainment news program. In 2024, he began hosting the Game Show Network series Blank Slate.
Stage and BooksIn 2008, Mario Lopez performed on Broadway. He played the role of Zach in the musical A Chorus Line.
Mario has also written several books. His first book, Mario Lopez Knockout Fitness, came out in 2008. He also wrote Extra Lean and Extra Lean Family, which are about health and fitness. In 2011, he released a children's book called Mario and Baby Gia, which is about him and his daughter.
Music ProjectsIn 2022, Mario Lopez became involved in bringing back the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo. He helped with auditions and became their new manager. In 2023, Menudo released their first song under Mario's guidance, called "Mi Amore."
Mario Lopez's Personal LifeMario Lopez married actress Ali Landry in 2004. Their marriage was annulled two weeks later. In 2008, he met Courtney Mazza, a Broadway dancer. They got married in Mexico on December 1, 2012. They he three children: a daughter named Gia (born 2010) and two sons, Dominic (born 2013) and Santino (born 2019).
Mario is a Catholic and attends church regularly. He is also very dedicated to health and fitness. He trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has earned a purple belt in the sport.
Film and Television AppearancesMario Lopez has appeared in many films and television shows throughout his career. Here are some of them:
Films Year Title Role Notes 1988 Colors Felipe's Friend 1996 Fever Lake Steve Direct-to-video film 2005 Aloha, Scooby-Doo! Manu Tuiama/Mainland Surfer Voice role 2010 Get Him to the Greek Himself Cameo appearance 2013 The Smurfs 2 Social Smurf Voice role Television Shows Year Title Role Notes 1984–1986 Kids Incorporated Himself Dancer/Drummer 1987 The Golden Girls Mario Guest episode 1989–1993 Sed by the Bell A.C. Slater Main role 1993–1994 Sed by the Bell: The College Years A.C. Slater Main role 1997 Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story Greg Louganis Television film 1999 Pacific Blue Bobby Cruz Main role 2006 Dancing with the Stars Himself Contestant (finished 2nd) 2007 Holiday in Handcuffs Did Martin Television film 2008–2012 America's Best Dance Crew Himself Host 2008–2019 Extra Himself Host 2012–2013 The X Factor Himself Co-host (season 2), Host (season 3) 2016 Grease: Live Vince Fontaine Television film 2019–present Access Hollywood Himself Host 2020–2021 Sed by the Bell A.C. Slater Main role 2020 A Recipe for Seduction Harland Sanders Short television film Awards and RecognitionMario Lopez has received several awards and nominations for his work.
Year Group Award Role Result 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 Sed by the Bell Won 1994 Young Artist Awards Outstanding Youth Host in a TV Magazine, News or Variety Show Name Your Adventure Won 2011 Young Artist Awards Mickey Rooney Award Himself Won See alsoIn Spanish: Mario Lopez (actor) para niños