Mario Lopez

Born in San Diego, California, on October 10th, 1973, to Mario Sr. and Elvira, Mario Lopez’s first professional role was on the series, a.k.a. Pablo (1984). Mario is probably best known to youngsters, however, as A.C. Slater from NBC’s popular 1980s teen comedy series Saved by the Bell (1989).

Among Mario’s other credits are several other popular television series, such as Pacific Blue (1996) and the movies Colors (1988), Depraved (1996) and Eastside (1999). Mario has also proven himself as a talented presenter and has already hosted such series as Name Your Adventure (1992), The Other Half (2001) and Pet Star (2002).

Mario graduated in 1991 from Chula Vista High School. He was an amateur wrestler while in high school, and was on his high school wrestling team. Mario Lopez was a state placewinner in California at 189 pounds in 1990.

Athletics aside, his true passion in life is dancing. He has aspirations of one day dancing at Radio City music hall in New York City.

Before being cast in Saved by the Bell (1989), Lopez was a dancer.

He is a talented drummer and played drums on the 80s show Kids Incorporated (1984).Mario Lopez began serving as TV host on such shows as Pet Star And The Other Half (the male version of The View). Lopez’s career experienced a real jolt in 2006 when he appeared on the third season of the reality competition show Dancing with the Stars, on which he was the runner-up. A few months later, Lopez joined entertainment show Extra as a correspondent and weekend co host, but he was soon promoted and hosted weekday episodes on his own. His newfound prime-time exposure made him a hot commodity, and he was named People magazine’s “Hottest Bachelor” in 2008.

He made his Broadway debut in A Chorus Line in 2008 and released his first book that year as well, Mario Lopez’s Knockout Fitness. The following year, Lopez published Mud Tacos, a children’s story, and a cookbook, Extra Lean, followed in 2010 (its sequel, Extra Lean Family, appeared in 2011).

Mario Lopez is Married to Courtney Mazza Lopez and they have two children together.