Mario Lopez celebrated a significant milestone in Hollywood as he received a star on the iconic Walk of Fame. The actor, best known for his role as A.C. Slater on the beloved sitcom Saved By the Bell, was honored on October 10, which also marked his 51st birthday.
During the ceremony, Lopez’s mother, Elvia, expressed her pride. “How proud am I of my son?” she exclaimed. She shared stories from Lopez’s childhood, revealing that he was “very hyper” and often got into trouble. To keep him occupied, she enrolled him in various activities.
“He’s the only dancing, wrestling, karate kid in Chula Vista,” she said, emphasizing how her efforts helped shape his successful career.
Lopez’s star is located in front of Wahlburgers, a restaurant owned by his longtime friend Mark Wahlberg. Wahlberg humorously recalled watching Lopez on television since childhood and noted the irony of meeting him when they are the same age. “He was like this buff dude with the mullet and the tank top,” Wahlberg joked.
When it was Lopez’s turn to speak, he quipped that the location of his star should guarantee him “free burgers for life.” He reflected on his four-decade career and expressed gratitude to influential figures like Norman Lear and Dick Clark. Lear gave Lopez his first job at the age of 10 on the sitcom a.k.a. Pablo, while Clark encouraged him to pursue hosting.
“Time is the most valuable thing we have,” Lopez advised. “Work hard while you have it; it’s not good enough to just spend it. You’ve got to use it.” He recounted his diverse experiences in television and film, including sitcoms, dramas, talk shows, and even Broadway.
Lopez shared that he has enjoyed both successes and setbacks throughout his career but wouldn’t change anything. “I’ve loved every second of it,” he said.
The former host of The X Factor described receiving the star as an “incredibly special moment,” especially because he could celebrate with family. His wife Courtney and their three children—daughter Gia, 14, and sons Dominic, 11, and Santino, 5—were present at the ceremony.
Lopez concluded by expressing gratitude for his career in show business. He acknowledged the support of family and friends who attended the event, including Oscar De La Hoya and NBCUniversal Local Chairwoman Valari Staab.
As Mario Lopez receives this honor, he reflects on a remarkable journey filled with hard work and dedication to his craft.
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