# Mario Lopez
**Mario Lopez** (born 1973) is an American actor and entertainment-news host best known for playing A.C. Slater on the teen sitcom *Saved by the Bell* and for more than a decade as a host of the syndicated show *Extra*, followed by NBC's *Access Hollywood* and *Access Daily*.[1](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n91068429.html) • [2](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mario-lopez/) He is a two-time Emmy winner and received a star on the [Hollywood Walk of Fame](https://www.edgepedia.org/hollywood-walk-of-fame) in 2024.[3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1973; sources give Chula Vista, California (Times of San Diego, Variety) or San Diego (IMDb)[4](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/) • [5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0530249/) |
| Signature role | A.C. Slater on *Saved by the Bell*, which began when he was 15 and ran four seasons, plus *The College Years* and the 2020–22 Peacock reboot[6](https://variety.com/2024/tv/actors/mario-lopez-saved-by-the-bell-child-star-to-adult-actor-1236168917/) • [4](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/) |
| Hosting | *Extra* from 2007 or 2008 to summer 2019; *Access Hollywood* and *Access Daily* since 2019; two iHeartRadio shows and the boxing podcast *The 3 Knockdown Rule*[2](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mario-lopez/) • [4](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/) • [3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/) |
| Honors | 2,792nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Television category), October 10, 2024; two Emmy awards; National Wrestling Hall of Fame Outstanding American (2022)[3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/) • [7](https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame/bio/2170) |
| Family | Married Courtney Lopez on December 1, 2012; three children, Gia, Dominic, and Santino[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0530249/) • [8](https://onwithmario.iheart.com/content/mario-lopez-bio/) |
| Heritage | Both parents are from Mexico; he discussed his Mexican roots in a January 2024 NPR interview[9](https://www.npr.org/2024/01/02/1222434127/mario-lopez-is-surprised-that-people-are-not-aware-of-his-mexican-roots) |
## Early life and background
Lopez was born in 1973. The Times of San Diego and Variety place his birth in [Chula Vista, California](https://www.edgepedia.org/chula-vista-california), while IMDb gives San Diego.[4](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/) • [6](https://variety.com/2024/tv/actors/mario-lopez-saved-by-the-bell-child-star-to-adult-actor-1236168917/) • [5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0530249/) His parents are both from Mexico, a background he discussed publicly in a January 2024 NPR interview, saying he was surprised how many people were unaware of it.[9](https://www.npr.org/2024/01/02/1222434127/mario-lopez-is-surprised-that-people-are-not-aware-of-his-mexican-roots)
Performance and athletics began early. By age 3 he was excelling in dance, tumbling, and wrestling, and he later became a star high school wrestler with high rankings in statewide competitions.[2](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mario-lopez/) A talent agent discovered him at a dance recital when he was 10.[4](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/) His professional acting debut came on the ABC comedy *a.k.a. Pablo*, which ran for six weeks in 1984, and he went on to appear on *Kids Incorporated* alongside Stacy Ferguson (later Fergie of the [Black Eyed Peas](https://www.edgepedia.org/black-eyed-peas)), Martika, Rahsaan Patterson, and [Jennifer Love Hewitt](https://www.edgepedia.org/jennifer-love-hewitt), with guest spots on *The Golden Girls*.[4](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/) • [6](https://variety.com/2024/tv/actors/mario-lopez-saved-by-the-bell-child-star-to-adult-actor-1236168917/)
Wrestling remained a serious parallel track. Wrestling for Chula Vista High School, he finished second in the San Diego section and seventh in the 1991 [California Interscholastic Federation](https://www.edgepedia.org/california-interscholastic-federation) state tournament as a senior, training under Mexican Olympian Gabriel Ruiz with coach Bill Virchis.[7](https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame/bio/2170)
## Breakthrough with Saved by the Bell
The role of A.C. Slater, the high school jock on NBC's *Saved by the Bell*, made Lopez famous as a teenager. In a 2024 interview he said the show "started when I was 15 and ran for four seasons, and it's still on today."[6](https://variety.com/2024/tv/actors/mario-lopez-saved-by-the-bell-child-star-to-adult-actor-1236168917/) TV Insider dates the NBC run as 1989–1993, while the Times of San Diego describes his cast tenure as the 1989–92 run; the end date is not settled between the sources.[2](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mario-lopez/) • [4](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/) He reprised Slater in the spinoff *[Saved by the Bell: The College Years](https://www.edgepedia.org/saved-by-the-bell-the-college-years)* (1993–94).[2](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mario-lopez/)
He stayed with the franchise decades later: he appeared in and produced two seasons of the *Saved by the Bell* reboot for NBC's streaming service [Peacock](https://www.edgepedia.org/peacock-streaming-service), which premiered in 2020 and ran through 2022.[3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/) • [4](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/)
## Acting beyond teen television
Lopez's post-teen credits span film, television, and stage. He portrayed Olympic diver [Greg Louganis](https://www.edgepedia.org/greg-louganis) in the 1997 [USA Network](https://www.edgepedia.org/usa-network) television movie *Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story*, was a cast member on the USA Network series *Pacific Blue* (1996–2000), played Dr. Mike Hamoui on *Nip/Tuck*, and starred in *Holiday in Handcuffs*, Freeform's highest-rated program.[4](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/) • [2](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mario-lopez/) • [3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/) He voiced Cruz on Disney's *Elena of Avalor*, appearing alongside his daughter Gia, and has made cameos in *The Rookie*, *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*, and *This Is Us*.[3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/) • [8](https://onwithmario.iheart.com/content/mario-lopez-bio/)
**Broadway.** Lopez starred in *A Chorus Line* on Broadway for a six-month run, where he met his wife Courtney, while flying back weekly to host *America's Best Dance Crew*. Variety dates the run to 2008; the Walk of Fame record says he completed his first Broadway run in the summer of 2009. The year is disputed between the sources.[6](https://variety.com/2024/tv/actors/mario-lopez-saved-by-the-bell-child-star-to-adult-actor-1236168917/) • [3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/) He also reached the finals of season three of *Dancing with the Stars*.[3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/)
## Television hosting career
Hosting became Lopez's main platform after his acting years. He began co-hosting the daily entertainment news show *Extra* in 2007 according to TV Insider, which says he remained until the summer of 2019; the Times of San Diego gives the span as 2008 to 2019. The start year is unresolved.[2](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mario-lopez/) • [4](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/) In 2019 he moved to NBC as host of *Access Hollywood*, *Access Daily with Mario & Kit*, and *All Access*, and he holds an overall development deal with [NBCUniversal](https://www.edgepedia.org/nbcuniversal).[8](https://onwithmario.iheart.com/content/mario-lopez-bio/) • [3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/)
His audio and event work extends the same format. He hosts the iHeartRadio programs *On with Mario Lopez* and *iHeartRadio Countdown with Mario Lopez*, and the boxing podcast *The 3 Knockdown Rule*.[3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/) • [6](https://variety.com/2024/tv/actors/mario-lopez-saved-by-the-bell-child-star-to-adult-actor-1236168917/) He hosted the [Miss America](https://www.edgepedia.org/miss-america) pageant in 2007, 2009, and 2010, and [Miss Universe](https://www.edgepedia.org/miss-universe) in 2007 and 2020, and co-hosted *The X Factor* in 2012 and solo in 2013.[3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/) • [2](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mario-lopez/) In the 2024 Variety interview he said his goal is to be "the Latino Dick Clark," a reference to the long-running bandstand and [New Year's Eve](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-years-eve) host.[6](https://variety.com/2024/tv/actors/mario-lopez-saved-by-the-bell-child-star-to-adult-actor-1236168917/)
## Other ventures
**Books and fitness.** Lopez became a New York Times bestselling author with the healthy eating guide *Extra Lean*, released the follow-up *Extra Lean Family* in May 2011, wrote *Mario Lopez's Knockout Fitness*, co-authored *Mud Tacos* with his sister Marissa, wrote the children's book *Mario & Baby Gia* for his daughter Gia, and published his first memoir, *Just Between Us*, in September 2014.[3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/) • [8](https://onwithmario.iheart.com/content/mario-lopez-bio/)
**Producing and brand.** He co-created and executive produced the Netflix Latinx family comedy *The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia*, about a 15-year-old robotics engineer, and has produced and starred in Lifetime Christmas films including *Holiday in Santa Fe* and *FelizNaviDAD*.[3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/) He maintains a brand bearing his name covering men's and boys' footwear, childrenswear, personal grooming tools, sleepwear and loungewear, and men's fragrance.[6](https://variety.com/2024/tv/actors/mario-lopez-saved-by-the-bell-child-star-to-adult-actor-1236168917/)
## By the numbers
- Roughly 40 years in entertainment as of 2024, having begun working at age 9 or 10.[6](https://variety.com/2024/tv/actors/mario-lopez-saved-by-the-bell-child-star-to-adult-actor-1236168917/)
- Four seasons of the original *Saved by the Bell*, plus *The College Years* and two seasons of the Peacock reboot.[6](https://variety.com/2024/tv/actors/mario-lopez-saved-by-the-bell-child-star-to-adult-actor-1236168917/) • [3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/)
- About 11 to 12 years on *Extra* (2007 or 2008 to summer 2019), followed by continuous NBC hosting since 2019.[2](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mario-lopez/) • [4](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/)
- Five pageant hosting assignments: Miss America in 2007, 2009, and 2010; Miss Universe in 2007 and 2020.[3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/)
- The 2,792nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, awarded on his 51st birthday.[3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/) • [4](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/)
## Personal life and recognition
Lopez married Courtney Lopez, whom he met during *A Chorus Line*, on December 1, 2012; the couple has three children, Gia, Dominic, and Santino, and lives in Los Angeles with two French Bulldogs, Julio and Oscar.[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0530249/) • [6](https://variety.com/2024/tv/actors/mario-lopez-saved-by-the-bell-child-star-to-adult-actor-1236168917/) • [8](https://onwithmario.iheart.com/content/mario-lopez-bio/)
His honors include two Emmy awards for his hosting work, the 2,792nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the [Television](https://www.edgepedia.org/television) category, unveiled October 10, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. PT at 6930 [Hollywood Boulevard](https://www.edgepedia.org/hollywood-boulevard), and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Outstanding American award in 2022; he has said wrestling taught him discipline and consistency.[3](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/) • [7](https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame/bio/2170) NBC's profile describes him as the longtime *Access Hollywood* host, a *Saved by the Bell* alum, and a proud dad of three.[10](https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/people/mario-lopez)
## References
1. [Lopez, Mario, 1973– , LC Linked Data Service, Library of Congress](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n91068429.html)
2. [Mario López – Actor, Journalist, TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mario-lopez/)
3. [Mario Lopez, Hollywood Walk of Fame](https://walkoffame.com/mario-lopez/)
4. [TV Host Mario Lopez, a South County Native, Gets Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, Times of San Diego (October 10, 2024)](https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2024/10/10/tv-host-mario-lopez-a-south-county-native-gets-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame/)
5. [Mario Lopez, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0530249/)
6. [Mario Lopez on 'Difficult' Transition From Child Star to Adult Actor, Variety (2024)](https://variety.com/2024/tv/actors/mario-lopez-saved-by-the-bell-child-star-to-adult-actor-1236168917/)
7. [Mario Lopez, National Wrestling Hall of Fame](https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame/bio/2170)
8. [Mario Lopez Bio, On with Mario Lopez, iHeartRadio](https://onwithmario.iheart.com/content/mario-lopez-bio/)
9. [Mario Lopez is surprised that people are not aware of his Mexican roots, NPR (January 2, 2024)](https://www.npr.org/2024/01/02/1222434127/mario-lopez-is-surprised-that-people-are-not-aware-of-his-mexican-roots)
10. [Mario Lopez, NBC Insider](https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/people/mario-lopez)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 1970s to 1990s › Surnames Le to L*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license