It’s lunch time on the Glendale, Calif. set of Extra, where host Mario Lopez is taking an hour break from talking about the day’s latest entertainment news, including Hollywood box office numbers. Dressed in a designer black suit, crisp white button-down shirt and grey tie, the handsome 35 year-old loosens up his persona and his tie, while slowly unbuttoning the first few buttons of his shirt. What immediately strikes you is his charm and charisma, and those deep-set dimples.
Lopez has been capturing hearts since hooking up with fellow classmates on the 90’s television sitcom Saved By The Bell. “Well, I did a lot of stuff before this,” explains the San Diego, Calif. native on his early fame. “I did Kids Incorporated so I had a taste of it all and took it in stride. I didn’t take fame real seriously. It just made me want to work harder and not fan out.”
But when A.C. Slater entered the classroom, Lopez was solidly imprinted into Hollywood lore and tabloid fame. “I think I’ve stayed pretty true to who I was – and am – and I’ve never forgotten where I came from.” That would be San Diego’s inner city where Lopez graduated Chula Vista High School in 1992 as one of their star wrestlers. “I’m still close to my family, and I talk to my mother and sister several times a week.” In fact, with his family first approach, Lopez asks their advice on everything from dating to his career.
It’s his close family ties that brought the actor, dancer and host to his current project, a children’s book he co-wrote with his sister Marissa Wong titled Mud Tacos (Celebra, October 2009). “My sister has two kids with the same age difference – boy and girl – like we are, which is about 2 ½ years. We noticed the way they interact and fight with each other, yet love and watch out for each other ... just like we did and still do. It got us thinking of our childhood and the interesting stories we came across. We thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to encourage kids to use their imagination and tell our stories to them with nice lessons in which they could learn from. We slipped in some Spanish subliminally so it has a bi-lingual effect while being educational.”
Lopez and his sister are hoping to turn Mud Tacos into a series of children’s books and eventually an animated program. And he insists they have a lot of childhood fodder to maintain an interesting and educational premise. Is there a real Mud Tacos recipe? “Sure is”, he readily explains. “The book is also about encouraging kids to use their imaginations and be active outdoors because there are so many heavy children now. My grandmother wouldn’t let us play inside and we could always smell her cooking. So my sister and I set up our own little kitchen outside. We’d find big leaves for the taco shells, mud would be the meat, flowers served as cheese and worms would be the salsa.”
Growing up alongside Marissa, Lopez never dreamed of being an author. “I wanted to be everything from a cowboy to a fireman – it changed every week.” But, not only is he an author, his previous book, Mario Lopez’sKnockout Fitness, was a best-seller last year.
As he got older, dreams of becoming an anchorman entered his head. “I didn’t really know what to do with my life so that’s why I always wanted to do everything.” And so he has. Over the years, he has continued to maintain his celebrity status from a compelling performance as Greg Louganis in Breaking the Surface in 1997, to becoming in first runner-up on Dancing With the Stars in 2006, and an unforgettable naked shower scene on FX’s Nip/Tuck. “I do get recognized a lot when I’m out in public,” he shyly admits, “but that’s cool. I like it. It’s like I have a lot of friends, but I’ve never been confused for another celebrity, which is good. I like people, in general, and I like hosting Extra so it comes across, hopefully. It’s like I’m inviting million of people into my living room every night and they’re inviting me into theirs.”
Admitting he has made some mistakes in his life “lots of personal ones, but that’s a whole other interview,” the former Broadway hoofer has never felt uncomfortable being Mario Lopez. Au contraire. “I feel comfortable everyday because I have to be myself everyday. I felt comfortable having young girls – and their moms – have me sign certain body parts when I was on Saved By The Bell; I felt comfortable on Dancing With The Stars that led me to A Chorus Line. I’m generally a happy person who feels comfortable most of the time. If I don’t like you, then there’s usually something wrong with you.”
At 5’10”, Lopez doesn’t display any Hollywood swagger, which he certainly could command, considering his sculpted body and sexy, good looks. Preferring a good boxing match for an overall workout, Lopez will begin training for an upcoming Malibu triathlon with swimming, biking and running. Yet, sitting down with an occasional cocktail beverage “and a good cigar” are some of his “me time” personal indulgences.
A conversation with Mario Lopez has to include his “sexy lists” achievements and his many female companions over the years, including best friend, Eva Longoria Parker. “Now I’m getting uncomfortable”, he smiles. So what does he look for in a woman? “Someone who makes me laugh, someone who has their own passion, someone who is smart, obviously and somebody who takes care of themselves.” He admires Katherine Heigl and Catherine Zeta-Jones’ personal style. “They are classy and pretty women in Hollywood. I guess I like those classic looks in a woman. And I think Diane Lane takes really good care of herself. Those ladies really have a sense of style.” His No. 1 turn-on is a woman “who can move, someone who can dance. I just think a woman who can really move and dance is so sexy.” But when asked who he is seeing now, he coyly dodges the question and answers “I’m dating my show Extra right now. She takes up all my time.”
Behind the scenes: Mario Lopez was shot at home in Los Angeles, Calif. by celebrity photographer John Russo. Home furnishings and accessories provided by Pier 1 Imports. Get Mario's cozy home look now by visiting Pier1.com.
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