Mario Lopez Overview
Mario Lopez was an American actor who achieved immense popularity through his television shows. He was born to Elvia and Mario Lopez, Sr. in San Diego, California, and started learning dancing at the age of three, and was discovered by an agent when he was ten years old. His first TV appearance was with the comedy series, named Pablo, in 1984. The same year, he got another role as a drummer and dancer in the kids show, named Kids Incorporated, in which he featured for two years. He was a wrestler in high school and thus acquired an impressive physique which would help him get many acting roles later on.
Started His Career
In the next few years, Mario Lopez made some guest appearances in TV shows. In 1989, he got his first role as a regular in the sitcom titled Saved by the Bell, where he played the character of A.C. Slater. This role fetched him a lot of popularity, especially among the teenagers. More movie and television roles followed, but it was as a television host that Lopez achieved most successes. Having showcased his acting and hosting capabilities, he got a chance to exhibit his slick dancing moves in the reality show Dancing with the Stars and had a fabulous run in the show, eventually finishing runner-up.
Being TV Personality
Over the next few years, Mario Lopez did a cameo in the TV show titled Superstar American Gladiators, hosted the game show titled Masters of the Maze and the reality series titled Name Your Adventure and featured in movies like Fever Lake and Killing Mr. Griffin. However, none of them elicited positive responses from the viewers. His next significant role was from 1997 until 2002, when he starred in several movies, including Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story, series Pacific Blue, the horror film A Crack in the Floor, the comedy Big Brother Trouble, and the drama King Rikki. He also hosted the talk show The Other Half, and was chosen to host the show Pet Star on Animal Planet and the talent show Second Chance: America's Most Talented Senior. In 2008, he was signed to host Extra and America's Best Dance Crew. He did a supporting role in the film Husband for Hire and also made his Broadway debut with the remake of the musical A Chorus Line.
Personal Life
Unfortunately, in 1993, allegations of sexual assault were made by two women against Mario Lopez, but no charges were filed as no evidence was found. Not long after that, while hosting the Miss Teen USA 1998 beauty pageant, he met co-host and actress Ali Landry and they began a relationship. Their marriage after six years was immediately followed by an annulment because of his infidelity during his bachelor party. In 2006, he entered into a relationship with his Dancing with the Stars partner, Karina Smirnoff, but they ended the relationship after two years. He also started dating Broadway dancer Courtney Mazza in 2008 and married her after four years and have two children.