Mario Lopez on ‘Difficult’ Transition From Child Star to Adult Actor

Days off aren’t something you’ll typically see on Mario Lopez’s jam-packed schedule, but the Chula Vista, Calif., native, who hasn’t slowed down in his 40 years in the entertainment business isn’t complaining one bit. “My goal is to be the Latino Dick Clark,” he laughs. 

Lopez is currently juggling a myriad of hosting projects, from his daily duties on NBC’s “Access Hollywood” and “Access Daily,” to his national iHeart radio programs “On With Mario Lopez” and “iHeartRadio Countdown With Mario Lopez.” But don’t think for a second that he has put acting on the backburner. His latest project is the holiday film “Once Upon a Christmas List” for Great American Family. Also a producer on the film, he co-stars with his wife of 11 years, Courtney, as well as their 11-year old son, Dominic. 

On top of all that, Lopez continues working on the brand bearing his name that includes men’s and boys’ footwear, childrenswear, personal grooming tools, sleepwear and loungewear, and men’s fragrance. Many still know him, however, for his breakthrough 1989 role as jock A.C. Slater in the teen sitcom “Saved by the Bell.” 

One event that Lopez will be making room for on his calendar happens on Oct. 10, when he’ll receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “I’m incredibly honored and humbled. It’s just a wow, pinch me moment,” he says before taking a walk down memory at his four-decade career. 

It hasn’t been that long since you found out about your star. How are you feeling about it today?

It’s a huge deal. I was this little Mexican kid from Chula Vista. I remember when I was starting this business at 9 or 10 years old, and I would come [to Los Angeles] with my dad, and I’d come to audition. At the time, they used to have a ton of little hotels on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard. That’s when it was really shady back then in the ‘80s, but hotels are expensive, and my dad worked for the city, so we’d stay at the craziest little hole in the wall hotels. But I felt safe with him. And now cut to, “I’m gonna have a star!” That is pretty wild. 

I couldn’t believe it. It’s across the street from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and right in front of Wahlburgers. My buddy Mark Wahlberg is going to be one of my speakers, so he got a kick out of that. It’s also on my birthday and it’s during Hispanic Heritage Month, so I’m very excited. 

When you were that little kid, were you thinking long-term career thoughts?

I was a hyper kid and there was potential for trouble in the neighborhood I was in, so I was the only dancing, wrestling, theater, karate kid I knew. My mom and dad just put me in a bunch of different activities to keep me busy and out of trouble, so acting was just one of the many different activities that I had. But, no, I didn’t think anything like that. And I wasn’t one of those kids who wanted to be on TV. I just kind of fell into it… but, of course, I fell in love with it.

How beneficial were your dimples when you were a little kid auditioning?

I didn’t think about it when I was a kid, to be honest with you. I used to get teased when I was a little kid — “holes in your face” and all this stuff — but then later on, girls started liking them, so I didn’t mind so much. 

“‘Saved by the Bell’ started when I was
15 and ran for four seasons, and it’s
still on today, which is a trip.” 

Mario Lopez

“Saved by the Bell” was the thing that took you to a whole new level. Is that how you remember it?

I was on a show for three, four seasons prior to that. [It was] sort of like “The Mickey Mouse Club,” called “Kids Incorporated” [with] Stacy Ferguson (who later became Fergie), Martika, Rahsaan Patterson and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Everybody sang, danced and played all the instruments. Then I did a bunch of guest spots, like “The Golden Girls,” a bunch of pilots and commercials. “Saved by the Bell” started when I was 15 and ran for four seasons, and it’s still on today, which is a trip. 

Were you able to enjoy the excitement about the show at the time?

We were actual teenagers playing teenagers, which I think is one of the reasons the show struck a chord with kids. We did it in the summertime because we were all minors, so it was like having a cool summer job. Then I went to a regular, big public school. I got to play sports and go to my prom and have a regular life when I wasn’t working. 

Some people like to put behind them the project that started their careers, but you never seem to mind when “Saved by the Bell” comes up, do you?

I mean, it’s a part of what I did, and I guess, who I am. I’m very grateful for that. And the fact that people still bring it up or watch it or they recognize me, that’s cool. I have nothing but positive things to say about it. 

What was the transition from teen star to adult roles like for you?

It was really difficult because, just like any person that’s on a show for a while, you get typecast and even more so when you’re a kid, because then it takes everyone a minute to take you serious as an adult. That’s why I always have a lot of respect for actors who were once child actors, because I know how difficult that transition is. I know how tough it is, so a tip of the hat to them. 

What is your advice to make it through that transition?

I’ve always been a bit of a hustler and had a strong work ethic and wanted to stay at it, but I didn’t necessarily want to just limit myself to acting, so I got into hosting and producing. The singing and dancing came in handy as well. I started to flex all those different creative muscles and was open to doing different things, whether it was Broadway or the hosting.

You starred on Broadway in 2008 in “A Chorus Line.” You hadn’t done anything as big as that on stage before. What was that like?

It was a blast and a bucket list thing. We did a six-month run, but I also met my wife on the show, so it worked out well! The last couple months were really hard because I was flying back (to Los Angeles) once a week on my dark days to host “America’s Best Dance Crew,” but it was worth it back then. 

Since you’ve also been producing for some time now, what do you think makes a good producer?

I like putting projects together and assembling the writers, directors, the rest of the team and the talent involved. I’d much rather have a producer hat on as opposed to having any desire to direct, because that consumes you a little too much. You’ve got to be a good people person because you’re dealing with a lot of different types of personalities, so I think that comes in handy. 

Your children are now getting into the business, what advice or guidelines do you give them? 

I’m not necessarily trying to encourage them but I’m not discouraging them either. It just so happened that some of these scripts had kids in them and I thought it’d be kind of fun. If I didn’t think they could pull it off, I wouldn’t put them in. But my son shows a little more of an inclination to want to it more. My daughter Gia is more fascinated with behind-the-scenes stuff.

“I like to say my
Mount Rushmore
is of the four f’s — family, faith, fitness
and food.” 

Mario Lopez

Once you got married and start having kids, did that change how you looked at your career trajectory?

It made me want to focus more and do more because now I have responsibilities other than myself. As far as the content that I was putting out there, that’s why I got into the holiday space because it’s all about family. I like to say my Mount Rushmore is of the four f’s — family, faith, fitness and food. 

You turned 50 last year. How are you feeling about it today?

It was a little nerve-racking and seemed daunting leading up to it, but then I thought, “Well, it beats the alternative.” I don’t want to not be turning 50. And, damn, 51 is around the corner. But I feel good and grateful for everything that’s going on and for being in the game still after all these years. 

What would you tell your younger self when you were just getting started in the business?

That there’s always time for all the other shenanigans. Work hard, stay focused, try to do the right thing, and eventually the right things, I think, will happen for you. 

Since fitness has always been a big part of your life, what do you notice about keeping fit in your 50s?

I try to do a little something every day and I always say I train more for sanity than vanity. The problem is [that] I’m going just as intensely as I did in my 20s, but my body’s not able to keep up all the way, so injuries become a little bit more frequent. I’ve got to learn how to dial it back and when to rest and to take care of it a little bit better. You can’t continue to do the same thing. 

You mentioned your bucket list. It seems like you’ve checked off quite a few, but what’s left?

I love doing what I’m doing. I want to continue to be able to do that. I probably just kind of amp up more of the producing stuff and be able to tell more cool stories.