Mario Lopez is an American television host, actor, and entrepreneur known for portraying A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell, co-hosting Access Hollywood, and co-owning Casa Mexico Tequila. Lopez holds American nationality and Mexican-American heritage traced through his parents. Mario Lopez was born on October 10, 1973, in San Diego, California. Four career pillars define Mario Lopez’s professional identity (acting, television hosting, podcasting, radio hosting, and brand entrepreneurship). Access Hollywood and Access Daily continue in production through September 2026. Lopez hosted Netflix’s Canelo vs Crawford broadcast in 2025, drawing a reported audience of past forty million viewers. Casa Mexico Tequila represents an ownership stake within a Jalisco-produced premium tequila brand connected directly to Mexican-American heritage.

What is Mario Lopez Known For?

Mario Lopez is known for the A.C. Slater role, Access Hollywood plus Access Daily hosting duties, Extra hosting work spanning 2008 through 2019, a Dancing with the Stars season three runner-up finish partnered alongside Karina Smirnoff in 2006, and Casa Mexico Tequila co-ownership. The A.C. Slater role on Saved by the Bell established Lopez as a teen-era NBC sitcom fixture beginning in 1989. Extra hosting duty spanning 2008 through 2019 placed Lopez within daily entertainment news coverage across a decade. Access Hollywood and companion program Access Daily hosting duty followed, continuing the entertainment news pattern established through Extra. Dancing with the Stars season three, aired in 2006, paired Lopez alongside professional dancer Karina Smirnoff toward a runner-up finish. “On With Mario Lopez” (a syndicated radio program) extends the hosting reach past television into national radio syndication. Casa Mexico Tequila co-ownership extends the professional identity past media hosting into brand entrepreneurship. Mario Lopez continues hosting Access Hollywood and Access Daily through the September 2026 production end, continues the radio program, and continues the Casa Mexico Tequila ownership role.

How Old is Mario Lopez?

Mario Lopez is fifty-two years old as of August 2026, born October 10, 1973, in San Diego, California. The October birth date places Lopez under the zodiac sign Libra. Lopez was fifteen years old when cast in Saved by the Bell in 1989, contrasting a teen-era screen presence against a current network television standing.

What are Mario Lopez’s Ethnicity and Nationality?

Mario Lopez holds American nationality and Mexican-American ethnicity. Mario Lopez’s parents emigrated from Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. Lopez was raised within a bilingual, Catholic household across Chula Vista, California, maintaining close ties to Mexican heritage through family tradition. Ethnicity traces toward Mexican heritage through both parents instead. Mexican-American describes the ethnicity accurately, confirming Lopez was born within the United States rather than Mexico itself. Parents originate from Mexico specifically. Heritage connects toward the Casa Mexico Tequila mission through shared cultural identity, reflecting an authentic connection rather than a purely promotional tie.

Who are Mario Lopez’s Parents and Siblings?

The parents of Mario Lopez are Mario Michael Lopez Sr. and Elvia Lopez. Sister Marissa Lopez Wong co-authored the children’s book Mud Tacos alongside Lopez. A persistent belief holds that Lopez has a twin brother. The belief carries no factual basis. The confusion traces back to a father sharing an identical name, Mario Michael Lopez Sr., creating a mistaken twin association among casual observers.

What Was Mario Lopez’s Early Life and Education?

Mario Lopez was born and raised in Chula Vista, California, developing dance and wrestling skills from early childhood. Kids Incorporated in 1984 and a.k.a. Pablo in 1984 marked first screen roles, arriving at age ten. Chula Vista High School graduation followed in 1991, alongside a championship wrestling record achieved during the same era. Wrestling background connects forward toward a later Greg Louganis biopic role and jiu-jitsu training covered within the fitness section. Lopez was never a Menudo member; the misconception traces toward a shared Latino teen idol era and documentary coverage of Menudo that circulated alongside unrelated teen stars of the same period. 

What TV Shows Has Mario Lopez Been In?

Mario Lopez developed a television career through acting, competition show hosting, entertainment reporting, and franchise revivals. Mario’s early roles established recognition during the 1980s, while later appearances focused on hosting and entertainment coverage. His A.C. Slater character remained one of his most recognized television roles throughout his career. The original series and later revival helped maintain the cultural connection of Saved by the Bell with Lopez’s television legacy. 

TV shows Mario Lopez has been in are shown in the table below.

Show	Role	Years	Network
Kids Incorporated	Cast member	1984	Syndicated
a.k.a. Pablo	Pablo Gutierrez	1984	ABC
Saved by the Bell	A.C. Slater	1989 to 1993	NBC
Saved by the Bell: The College Years	A.C. Slater	1993 to 1994	NBC
Pacific Blue	Officer Cruz Rodriguez	1998 to 2000	USA Network
The Bold and the Beautiful	Guest role	____	CBS
Nip/Tuck	Guest role	2006	FX
Extra	Host	2008 to 2019	Syndicated
The X Factor	Host stint	____	Fox
Access Hollywood / Access Daily	Host	2019 to 2026	NBCUniversal
Saved by the Bell (reboot)	A.C. Slater	2020 to 2021	Peacock
Blank Slate	Host	____	Game Show Network

Access Hollywood and Access Daily hosting duty runs through September 2026. Colors, a 1988 film credit, sits within the movie section rather than a television table.

Who Did Mario Lopez Play in Saved by the Bell?

Mario Lopez played Albert Clifford Slater (A.C. Slater), a wrestling and dancing student at the fictional Bayside High, across the original run from 1989 through 1993 and subsequent spin-offs. Lopez returned as an adult A.C. Slater, serving as Bayside’s gym teacher and coach, within the Peacock reboot spanning 2020 through 2021. Co-stars across the original run included Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Zack Morris, Tiffani Thiessen as Kelly Kapowski, and Elizabeth Berkley as Jessie Spano. Lopez was fifteen years old at the casting stage and sixteen years old at the series premiere.

Is Mario Lopez Still on Access Hollywood?

Yes, Mario Lopez is still on Access Hollywood and Access Daily as a co-host as of August 2026, with production continuing through September 2026. Co-hosts across the current lineup include Kit Hoover, Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, plus Sibley Scoles. 

What Game Shows and Specials Has Mario Lopez Hosted?

Mario Lopez hosted game shows and televised specials spanning network variety programming. Blank Slate, airing on Game Show Network, adds a network game show hosting credit. Netflix’s Canelo vs Crawford live boxing broadcast, hosted in 2025, drew a reported audience of past forty million viewers. Rose Parade telecast hosting duty and pageant hosting history, including Miss America and Miss Universe, round out the hosting category.

What Movies Has Mario Lopez Been In?

Mario Lopez built a film career spanning a 1988 debut through recent Lifetime holiday programming. 

The table below distinguishes lead plus supporting roles.

Film	Role	Year
Colors	Supporting	1988
Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story	Lead, as Greg Louganis	1997
Big Brother Trouble	Supporting	____
Honey 2	Supporting	2011
The Pool Boys	Supporting	____
Holiday in Santa Fe	Lead, Lifetime	2021

A broader Hallmark plus Lifetime holiday film cluster rounds out recent film work beyond this table. Mario Lopez was never a Power Ranger. The misconception stems from a shared 1990s teen actor era connecting Lopez to other franchise stars of that period without an actual casting connection.

Who is Mario Lopez’s Wife?

Mario Lopez has been married since December 1, 2012, following a wedding held in Punta Mita, Mexico. The couple met on Broadway’s A Chorus Line production in 2008, became engaged in 2011, plus married in 2012. The marriage has lasted thirteen years as of August 2026. Broadway performer wife Courtney Mazza remains married to Lopez as of the current year.

Who is Courtney Mazza?

Courtney Laine Mazza Lopez is an American Broadway performer, producer, plus television personality. Broadway credits include A Chorus Line plus Pirate Queen. Mazza has appeared alongside Lopez across various co-hosting segments connected to his media work. A dedicated Courtney Mazza entity page covers these attributes beyond this summary level.

How Many Children Does Mario Lopez Have?

Mario Lopez has three children alongside Courtney Mazza. The children remain outside the public record, kept off this page at the family’s preference. 

Where Does Mario Lopez Live?

Mario Lopez lives within the Los Angeles area, California, kept at the metropolitan level rather than a specific address. His roots trace back to San Diego plus Chula Vista, California, tied to his early life. Los Angeles functions as a primary work base tied to television hosting duties.

What is Mario Lopez’s Role at Casa Mexico Tequila?

Mario Lopez is a co-owner and partner of Casa Mexico Tequila, the Jalisco-produced premium tequila brand founded by Eric “Don Buccio” Buccio, alongside partner Oscar De La Hoya. Lopez joined the venture after tasting tequila crafted at a family-owned hacienda in Jalisco, prompting direct investment. De La Hoya, a longtime friend of Lopez, entered the partnership next. The brand’s heritage mission draws directly on Lopez’s Mexican-American identity.

Lopez has led the Casa Mexico Cristalino toast tradition at the Golden Globes across 16 consecutive appearances through 2025. The annual moment ties directly to the brand’s visibility within entertainment media. Lopez hosted festivities tied to the Canelo Alvarez versus Terence Crawford fight, extending the brand’s presence into boxing culture. The dual hosting roles position Casa Mexico Tequila to span entertainment plus sports audiences alike.

Who are the Other Brand Ambassadors for Casa Mexico Tequila besides Mario Lopez?

Casa Mexico Tequila counts two other brand ambassadors besides Mario Lopez. Oscar De La Hoya holds the title of partner, carrying a boxing championship career plus a longtime friendship tied to Lopez. Production craft at Casa Mexico Tequila falls under Ana Maria Romero Mena, who joined the brand in October 2025, holding the title of Maestra Tequilera. 

What Businesses, Endorsements, and Licenses Does Mario Lopez Have?

Mario Lopez holds a business portfolio spanning equity ownership, production credits, licensing, plus union membership. 

Mario Lopez’s businesses, endorsements, plus licenses are listed below.

Venture	Type	Status	Year
Casa México Tequila	Equity partner	Active	Ongoing
Via Mar Productions	Production company	____	____
iHeartMedia radio licensing	Radio syndication	Active	Ongoing
Book publishing deals	Publishing	Multiple titles, see Books section	Various
SAG-AFTRA	Union membership	Active credential	____

What Books Has Mario Lopez Written?

Mario Lopez authored plus co-authored six published titles spanning memoir, fitness, plus children’s genres.

• Just Between Us (2014, memoir, Dutton). This title sources the wrestling background covered earlier on this page.
• Extra Lean (2010, fitness).
• Extra Lean Family (2011, fitness).
• Mud Tacos (2009, children’s, co-authored alongside sister Marissa Lopez Wong).
• Mario and Baby Gia (2013, children’s).
• Knockout Fitness (2008, fitness).

What are Mario Lopez’s Podcast and Radio Shows?

On With Mario Lopez is a nationally syndicated daily radio program distributed through iHeartMedia, extending toward a companion podcast feed carrying the identical title. The program launched in 2012 under an earlier iteration, then relaunched through iHeartMedia in 2019 alongside expanded national syndication scale. Distribution spans iHeartRadio plus standard podcast platforms, extending a cross-platform media presence past television hosting duty.

How Does Mario Lopez Stay Fit?

Mario Lopez maintains fitness through a lifelong wrestling base, Brazilian jiu-jitsu training, plus boxing-focused workouts. Published fitness methodology appears across Extra Lean plus Knockout Fitness, covering on-record routine elements rather than invented programming. Media coverage of Lopez’s physique connects directly toward this fitness reputation, built across decades of documented training discipline.

What are Mario Lopez’s Political Views and Religion?

Mario Lopez practices Catholicism, raised within a Catholic household from childhood. Lopez described the practice directly: “Every week. Nice Catholic boy.” Lopez underwent baptism by immersion at the Jordan River in March 2018, administered by a Catholic priest.

Mario Lopez carries no declared political party affiliation on record.

Is Mario Lopez Related to Jennifer Lopez or George Lopez?

No, Mario Lopez carries no family relation to Jennifer Lopez, George Lopez, or any other well-known Lopez namesake; a shared surname explains the recurring confusion. Jennifer Lopez, a Puerto Rican-American performer, shares no family connection with Mario Lopez despite the identical surname. George Lopez, a Mexican-American comedian, likewise shares no family connection despite an overlapping heritage background. Mario Lopez Estrada, a Guatemalan businessman, represents a wholly separate namesake sometimes confused alongside the entertainer covered on this page. Additional footballer namesakes round out the broader Lopez surname disambiguation set.

Where Can You Follow Mario Lopez on Social Media?

Mario Lopez maintains official profiles across major social platforms, mirrored below toward matching account handles.

Platform	Handle	Content Type
Instagram	@mariolopez	Personal plus career updates
Facebook	/MarioLopezExtra	Career plus hosting updates
X (Twitter)	____	Career updates
TikTok	____	Short-form content
YouTube	____	Video content

What are Frequently Asked Questions About Mario Lopez?

Frequently Asked Questions About Mario Lopez are listed below.

Is Mario Lopez related to Jennifer Lopez? No, a shared surname explains the coincidental connection. Mario Lopez holds Mexican-American heritage. Jennifer Lopez holds Puerto Rican-American heritage instead. The two have appeared together only within interview settings.

Can Mario Lopez sing plus dance? Dance ability sits confirmed on record, trained from age three plus showcased through Dancing with the Stars season three, a runner-up finish, plus Broadway’s A Chorus Line in 2008. Singing ability sits confirmed only through the documented Broadway run, without an overstated claim beyond that record.

What does Mario Lopez host now? Mario Lopez hosts Access Hollywood plus Access Daily, current to August 2026. The productions run through a production end in September 2026. Lopez hosts On With Mario Lopez on the radio. Lopez hosts Blank Slate on Game Show Network.

What nationality is Mario Lopez? Mario Lopez holds American nationality, born in San Diego, California, alongside Mexican-American ethnicity traced through both parents originating from Mexico.

Was Mario Lopez in Menudo or Power Rangers? No to both. Mario Lopez worked as a Kids Incorporated plus a.k.a. Pablo child actor instead; the Menudo plus Power Rangers beliefs trace toward misattribution connected to a broader 1980s through 1990s teen era presence.