Mario López, Jr. (born October 10, 1973), is an American actor who appeared on several television series. He first became well known for his portrayal of the character A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell.

Biography

Career

Lopez's professional career began in 1985 when he appeared as younger brother Tomás in the short-lived ABC comedy series a.k.a. Pablo. In that same year, he was cast as a drummer and dancer on Kids Incorporated. Mario is a capable drummer and has been seen in his many television roles playing the instrument. In 1989, Lopez was cast as A.C. Slater in the popular television sitcom Saved by the Bell, a role which lasted five years. Lopez's character was a masculine, athletic student, helping to garner the actor a sizeable teenage-girl fan base. He maintains a close friendship with fellow castmate Mark-Paul Gosselaar.

Since his stint on Saved by the Bell, Lopez has enjoyed a career as host of a variety of television contest shows. He hosted Pet Star on the Animal Planet channel and was co-host of ESPN2's ESPN Hollywood. He is the captain of the L.A. Armed Response team on GSN's Extreme Dodgeball. Like fellow Saved by the Bell actor Dustin Diamond, he was featured as a celebrity guest on The Weakest Link.

On USA Network's Pacific Blue, he played police officer Bobby Cruz. Lopez also served as the host of the syndicated series Name Your Adventure. He also starred as the Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis in Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story.

He emceed the second season of the Family Channel game show Masters of the Maze.

He was also one of the co-hosts of the syndicated talk show The Other Half, which aired from 2001-2003. It was a male version of the female ensemble talk show The View, featuring four male co-hosts, including Danny Bonaduce and executive producer, Dick Clark.

As late as 2001, Lopez' likeness was featured in the Disneyland attraction Space Mountain in Anaheim. He played a space captain that informed guests of the adventure-to-come while they waited in queue for the ride.

In March 2006, he joined the cast of the daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful playing the role of Dr. Christian Ramirez. On July 18 2006, Lopez was released from his B&B contract. He guest-starred as a plastic surgeon who drives Christian Troy to jealousy when he sees him naked in the shower in an episode of FX Network's Nip/Tuck during the show's fourth season, which began in Fall 2006.

In the fall of 2006, Lopez appeared as a celebrity contestant for the third season of ABC's Dancing With the Stars, partnered with professional dancer Karina Smirnoff, who made her series debut. Lopez's strong start in the program left some viewers wondering whether he had received dance training prior to joining the series. Initially, he said that he had not received any formal training, but he later revealed that, though he hasn't had formal ballroom training, he has studied tap and hip hop styles. He finished second to Emmitt Smith.

He was announced as a celebrity guest host for the syndicated entertainment news magazine show Extra on January 12 2006. His first assignment was covering the Golden Globes.

Lopez was scheduled to be color commentator for the first EliteXC mixed martial arts event alongside pro-wrestler Bill Goldberg, but was inexplicably replaced at the last minute.

Lopez is both the host with Carmen Palumbo and co-executive producer of Sí TV's Dating Factory.

On March 122007, Lopez auditioned in a not-for-air episode of The Price is Right to take over for the retiring Bob Barker.

Lopez has hosted primetime television pageants; Miss Teen USA in 1998, 2003 and August 2007; Miss America in January 2007; and Miss Universe in May 2007, giving him the distinction of being the only individual to have served in hosting capacity for both of the major pageant system organizations.

Personal life

He was married to Ali Landry for 2 weeks , ending on May 15, 2004. The marriage was annulled over alleged infidelities committed by Lopez during the relationship and particularly, the week leading up to the wedding. Lopez is currently dating his former Dancing With The Stars partner .Karina Smirnoff[1]

Mario was a real life high school wrestler. During his senior season, he captured a 7th place finish at the California State High School championships. He attended Chula Vista High School: School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Chula Vista, California.

Mario has a sister named Marissa, who is married to Houston Texans linebacker Kailee Wong.

His parents were born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Filmography

• Kids Incorporated (1984) (TV series) (1984-1986)
• The Golden Girls (1986) (TV series)
• Colors (1988) (Film)
• Saved by the Bell (1989) (TV series)
• Masters of the Maze (1994-1996) (TV series) Season 2 host
• Name Your Adventure (1993) (TV series)
• Killing Mr. Griffin (1997) (TV)
• The Greg Louganis Story (1997)
• Miss Teen USA (1998)
• Pacific Blue (1996) (TV series) (1998-2000)
• Big Brother Trouble (2000) (Family Film)
• Popular (2000) (Cameo)
• King Rikki (2002)
• Outta Time (2002)
• Pet Star (2002) (TV series)
• Eve (2003) (TV series)
• America's Most Talented Kid (2003) (TV series)
• Miss Teen USA (2003)
• The Bold and the Beautiful (2006) (TV series)
• Nip/Tuck (2006) (TV series)
• Dancing with the Stars (2006) (TV series)
• Mind of Mencia (2007) (TV series) Season 3 episode 4
• George Lopez (2007)
• Eight Days a Week (2007)
• Miss America (2007)
• Miss Universe (2007)
• Miss Teen USA (2007)
• Holiday in Handcuffs (2007) (TV film for ABC Family)

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