Mario Lopez
Mario Lopez (born October 10, 1973[1]) is an American actor and television host. He has appeared on several television series, in films, and on 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 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 and Access Hollywood. He has also hosted America's Best Dance Crew for MTV. In 2012, he co-hosted the second season of the American version of The X Factor with Khloé Kardashian, and was the sole host for the third and final season.
For other people named Mario Lopez, see Mario Lopez (disambiguation).
Mario Lopez
October 10, 1973
- Actor
- television host
1984–present
3
Kailee Wong (brother-in-law)
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.
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 Catholic and goes to church every week.[51] In March 2018, he underwent baptism by immersion at the Jordan River, which was administered by a Catholic priest.[52]
He is a proponent of health and fitness, and was the cover feature for the November 2013 issue of FitnessRX For Men magazine.[53] To complement his fitness regime, Lopez is an amateur boxer and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; he began training in early 2017[54] and received his blue belt in February 2018 under Professor Robert Hill of Gracie Barra Glendale.[55] He received his purple belt in November 2022.[56]