Mario Sr., worked very hard to provide a comfortable home and a healthy family environment for Mario Jr., his brother Emilio, born in 1975 and his sister Marissa born in 1976. Both of his parents were very supportive in anything the children chose to do. Mario's dream, since being a young child, was to dance. Mario Sr., instilled into his children the value of hard work, and that with dedication, anything was possible.



It was while in dancing school, that Mario Lopez was noticed by a talent scout, and offered a role on the 1984 pilot of ‘a.k.a. Pablo', when he was only 10 years old. The show did not last, but Mario Sr., encouraged his son not to give up. Mario would find his next popular role in ‘Saved by the Bell'. Mario Sr., could not have been any prouder of his son.

Mario Lopez Sr., was not a famous movie star who allowed his son to follow in his footsteps. He was simply a hard working father, who supported his son, and gave him the encouragement to prevail. Mario senior, knew only one thing, that hard work, was the way to succeed. That honesty and integrity, were keys to reaching your goals in life. He worked hard to instill this attitude into his children. Even more important for his siblings, he demonstrated this for them everyday of his life. He had no problem practicing what he preached. He was a natural role model. His upbringing did not allow for anything less.

He had raised in hard times. It was vital that everyone did their part in providing for the family. These type of values, those forged in times of desperation, that seem to last a lifetime, whereas those who are offered life on a silver platter tend to take their luxury for granted. Mario junior was able to receive these values from his father and apply them into his own life. Although Mario junior has a special love for his mother and all the support that she has given him, he has not ignored or forgotten the strength of his father.

Mario juniors career has not always been on the high road. He has had his share of ups and downs, but has not allowed himself to fade away from the scene. This is that pure will of not wanting to acknowledge defeat, and the uncompromising desire to succeed. He received this from Mario senior, who would not settle for failure in any sense of the word. Although Mario junior has yet to begin a family of his own, he is having too much fun playing the field, he knows that he will make a wonderful father, when his time arrives for him to do so. He has learned from a master. His father, Mario senior.