George Lopez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids George Lopez
Lopez in 2019
Birth name	George Edward Lopez
Born	(1961-04-23) April 23, 1961 (age 64) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Medium	Stand-up film television
Years active	1983–present
Genres	Observational comedy black comedy insult comedy physical comedy racial humor satire
Subject(s)	Latin American culture American politics race relations racism family everyday life pop culture current events
Spouse	Ann Serrano ​ ​ (m. 1993; div. 2011)​
Children	1

George Edward Lopez (born April 23, 1961) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He is famous for starring in his own TV show, George Lopez. His comedy often explores his experiences as a Mexican American.

Lopez has won many awards for his work and for helping the Latino community. In 2005, Time magazine named him one of "The Top 25 Hispanics in America."

Early Life

George Edward Lopez was born in Mission Hills, Los Angeles, California. His parents were Frieda and Anatasio Lopez. George is of Mexican heritage.

His father left when he was a baby, and his mother left when he was 10 years old. He was then raised by his grandmother, Benita, and his step-grandfather, Refugio. He went to San Fernando High School and graduated in 1979.

Career

Television Success

Lopez at his Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in 2006.

After doing stand-up comedy for many years, actress Sandra Bullock approached Lopez in 2000. She wanted to create a sitcom starring a Hispanic family. At the time, there were not many shows like that on TV.

The ABC network agreed to make the show. In 2002, George Lopez began. Lopez was a co-creator, writer, producer, and the main star. The show was about a fictional version of himself and his family. It aired for six seasons until 2007.

When the show was canceled, Lopez was disappointed. He felt the decision was unfair to the many people who worked on the show and to the Hispanic community.

Other TV Shows

After his sitcom ended, Lopez hosted his own late-night talk show called Lopez Tonight on the TBS channel from 2009 to 2011.

He has starred in other shows, including Saint George in 2014 and Lopez in 2016. In 2022, he began starring in a new show called Lopez vs Lopez with his real-life daughter, Mayan Lopez.

Movie Roles

George Lopez has appeared in many movies. He was in the family film The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D (2005). He also voiced characters in popular animated movies. He was the voice of Papi the Chihuahua in Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008) and Rafael the toucan in Rio (2011).

In 2023, he played Uncle Rudy Reyes in the superhero movie Blue Beetle. He also appeared in the movie The Underdoggs in 2024.

Books and Other Work

Lopez wrote an autobiography called Why You Crying, which became a bestseller.

He has hosted big events like the Latin Grammy Awards and the Emmy Awards. He also worked with Carnival Cruises to help them find funny comedians for their cruise ships.

Personal Life

In 1993, Lopez married Ann Serrano. They have a daughter named Mayan, who was born in 1996. The couple divorced in 2011.

Lopez had a serious health problem with his kidneys. In 2005, his wife Ann donated one of her kidneys to him. The surgery was a success and helped him get healthy again. He even brought awareness to kidney disease in an episode of his TV show.

Lopez supports the Democratic Party. He also supports Israel. He was raised Catholic but now describes himself as spiritual, believing in God and the ideas of faith and love.

Charity Work and Honors

Lopez speaking at his 2019 induction into the California Hall of Fame.

Lopez loves to give back to the community. He started his own charity, The Ann & George Lopez Foundation, to help people in need.

He has raised money for victims of earthquakes in El Salvador and Guatemala. For his charity work, Harvard University gave him a Humanitarian Award in 2004.

His old elementary school, San Fernando Elementary School, named its auditorium after him to thank him for his support. Every year, Lopez gives toys to every child at the school for the holidays.

Notable Works

Film

• Real Women Have Curves (2002)
• The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D (2005)
• Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)
• The Spy Next Door (2010)
• Valentine's Day (2010)
• Rio (2011)
• The Smurfs (2011)
• Spare Parts (2015)
• El Chicano (2019)
• Blue Beetle (2023)
• The Underdoggs (2024)

Television

• George Lopez (2002–07)
• Lopez Tonight (2009–11)
• Saint George (2014)
• Lopez (2016–17)
• Lopez vs Lopez (2022–present)

Accolades

See also

In Spanish: George Lopez para niños