Mario Lopez’s Wife Knew Him fromSaved by the BellWhen They First Met, but She Wasn't a Slater Fan (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Mario Lopez attends the 2025 Golden Globe Awards; Mario Lopez as A.C. Slater on ‘Saved By the Bell’ in 1990.Photo:Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank

Mario Lopezrose to fame with his role as A.C. Slater onSaved By the Bell, buthis wife Courtneyhad eyes on another character.

Speaking to PEOPLE about his recent appearance inLopez vs. Lopez, the actor and television host, 51, says that his wife had a strong opinion of the teen sitcom that aired from 1989 to 1993.

JC Olivera/Variety via Getty

Unswayed, the actor says he’s “fortunate” to still stay in touch with several of his former castmates, many of whom have returned to star in the various spin-offs and the 2020 revival series.

“I am happy to see what they are doing,” he says.

Mario and Courtney (née Mazza) first met on Broadway in 2008. They welcomed their first child together, daughter Gia Francesca, now 14, in 2010 beforegetting marriedin December 2012.

The couple alsoshare sonsDominic Luciano, 11, and Santino Rafael, 5.

Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Tiffani Thiessenand Gosselaar have previously opened up about their respective partners' reactions to their iconic television roles. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the actress, 51, said her husbandBrady Smithhadnever seen an episode of the primetime series, in which she played Kelly Kapowski.

“He had never watched the show. Not one episode,” she said.

Gosselaar, 50, shared a similar story onThe Jennifer Hudson Show, where he revealed that his wifeCatriona McGinnhadno idea what he did for a livingwhen they met.

He said that she found out about his level of fame when she was watching another television show of his that one of her friends was on and told him, “I was, like, fast-forwarding to see my friend and you just happened to be the guy that was on a lot.' "

Host Jennifer Hudson then asked, “So, she had no idea that you were, like, everybody’s crush?” to which the actor joked, “I wasn’thercrush.”

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“George and I have been friends for a long time,” theAccess Hollywoodhost said. “And I have known Mayan since she was a little girl.”

“I remember when I was hostingX Factor, I got herOne Directiontickets and I was her hero for a long time because of that,” recalled Lopez, who hosted the American version of the reality competition series for the final two seasons in 2012 and 2013. “She always brings it up because she loved it.”

source: people.com