Mario Lopez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mario Lopez
Lopez in 2023
Born	(1973-10-10) October 10, 1973 (age 51) Chula Vista, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor television host
Years active	1984–present
Spouse(s)	Ali Landry ​ ​ (m. 2004; annulled 2004)​ Courtney Mazza ​ (m. 2012)​
Children	3
Relatives	Kailee Wong (brother-in-law)

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 Saved 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.

About Mario Lopez

Early Life and Family

Mario 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 Talents

Mario 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 Career

Mario 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 Roles

Mario 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 Saved by the Bell. This show was very popular on Saturday mornings. He continued playing A.C. Slater in Saved by the Bell: The College Years. In 2020, he returned to play the character again in a new Saved 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 2009

Mario 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 Books

In 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 Projects

In 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 Life

Mario 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 have 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 Appearances

Mario Lopez has appeared in many films and television shows throughout his career. Here are some of them:

Films

Television Shows

Awards and Recognition

Mario Lopez has received several awards and nominations for his work.

See also

In Spanish: Mario Lopez (actor) para niños