George Edward Lopez is a prominent American stand-up comedian and actor widely recognized for his self-produced ABC sitcom. His comedic work delves into themes of race and ethnicity, with a particular focus on Mexican American culture. Lopez's contributions to entertainment and the Latino community have garnered numerous accolades, including the Imagen Vision Award, the Latino Spirit Award, and recognition as one of 'The Top 25 Hispanics in America' by Time magazine.
George Edward Lopez was born on April 23, 1961.
George Lopez graduated from San Fernando High School in 1979.
George Lopez married Ann Serrano in 1993.
George Lopez and Ann Serrano welcomed their daughter, Mayan, in 1996.
George Lopez appeared in the drama "Bread and Roses" in 2000.
Recognizing the lack of Hispanic representation on television, Sandra Bullock approached George Lopez in 2000 to create a sitcom that showcased Hispanic characters and culture.
"Real Women Have Curves," a drama starring George Lopez, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002, earning critical acclaim and the Audience Award.
Breaking barriers in television, George Lopez's self-titled sitcom premiered in 2002, marking a significant step for Hispanic representation in mainstream media.
In 2003, George Lopez was recognized for his work and contributions to the Latino community with the Imagen Vision Award and the Latino Spirit Award for Excellence in Television.
Showcasing his versatility, George Lopez joined the cast of HBO's "Inside the NFL" for the 2003-2004 football season, bringing his humor and insights to the world of sports commentary.
In February 2004, the Harvard Foundation recognized George Lopez's impactful artistic contributions and commendable charitable work by bestowing upon him the prestigious Artist of the Year and Humanitarian Award. This honor, presented by the foundation's president and dean, underscores Lopez's significant influence both in the entertainment industry and in philanthropic endeavors.
In April 2004, George Lopez's doctors informed him of his deteriorating kidneys and the need for an organ transplant. Despite this, Lopez decided to postpone the operation to complete the fourth season of his show, "George Lopez".
George Lopez was honored with the "Spirit of Liberty Award" in September 2004 by People for the American Way, recognizing his commitment to advocacy and social justice.
George Lopez participated as a featured celebrity golfer in the 2004 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and the 2004 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He and his partner secured a third-place finish in the Pebble Beach event, with Lopez achieving the highest ranking among celebrity participants.
In August 2005, Time magazine recognized George Lopez's significant impact on the Latino community by including him in their list of "The 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America."
George Lopez showcased his acting range in Robert Rodriguez's family adventure film "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D" in 2005.
In 2005, George Lopez underwent a successful kidney transplant, receiving a kidney from his wife, Ann. Following the surgery, Lopez's health significantly improved, resulting in a 45-pound weight loss. He also used his platform on "George Lopez" to raise awareness about kidney disease by incorporating a similar storyline for his character's son.
Time magazine recognized George Lopez's impact by naming him one of "The Top 25 Hispanics in America" in 2005.
Beginning in 2006, George Lopez took on the role of host for the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.
Expanding its reach, "George Lopez" joined the Nick at Nite lineup on March 8, 2007.
Despite its popularity, ABC announced the cancellation of "George Lopez" on May 15, 2007, after six seasons.
On September 7, 2007, the final episode of "George Lopez" aired on ABC, marking the end of an era for the groundbreaking sitcom.
"George Lopez" made its debut on Nick at Nite on September 10, 2007, introducing the show to a new audience.
"Brown is The New Green: George Lopez and the American Dream," a documentary exploring the life and career of George Lopez, was released in 2007, offering insights into his comedic influences and cultural impact.
Following the cancellation of his show, George Lopez publicly criticized ABC Entertainment president Steve McPherson, alleging that the decision was racially motivated, sparking a debate about diversity in television in 2007.
George Lopez's groundbreaking sitcom concluded its run in 2007 after five seasons.
In 2008, George Lopez showcased his comedic talents with a guest appearance as the mayor of Reno, Nevada, on the fifth season of the popular Comedy Central show "Reno 911!"
Lending his voice to the world of animation, George Lopez voiced the character of Papi Cortez in Disney's "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" in 2008.
George Lopez participated in "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration" at the Lincoln Memorial in January 2009, reflecting his support for the historic event.
Expanding his presence in late-night television, George Lopez was announced as the host of his own talk show on TBS on March 28, 2009.
George Lopez's highly anticipated late-night talk show, "Lopez Tonight," premiered on TBS in November 2009.
George Lopez and his wife, Ann Serrano, announced their separation on September 27, 2010.
In November 2010, "Lopez Tonight" shifted its timeslot to accommodate Conan O'Brien's new show on TBS, demonstrating a supportive gesture within the late-night landscape.
Ann Serrano filed for divorce from George Lopez on November 23, 2010.
George Lopez starred opposite Jackie Chan in the action-comedy "The Spy Next Door" in 2010.
George Lopez's divorce from Ann Serrano was finalized on July 1, 2011.
Despite its initial success, "Lopez Tonight" was canceled by TBS on August 10, 2011, after two seasons.
On October 18, 2011, George Lopez's elementary school, San Fernando Elementary School, paid tribute to his philanthropic efforts by naming their auditorium in his honor. Lopez's dedication to giving back, particularly his annual toy giveaway ensuring every child at the school receives a holiday gift, solidified his legacy in the community.
In 2011, George Lopez took on the role of creative director for comedy at Carnival Cruises, demonstrating his influence in the world of stand-up comedy.
FX announced a new sitcom starring George Lopez, titled "Saint George," on April 18, 2013.
"Saint George," George Lopez's new sitcom, premiered on FX on March 6, 2014.
Despite high hopes, "Saint George" was canceled by FX on June 25, 2014, after one season.
TV Land greenlit "Lopez," a single-camera sitcom starring George Lopez, in August 2015.
George Lopez returned to television with "Lopez," a semi-autobiographical sitcom that premiered on TV Land on March 30, 2016.
A supporter of the Democratic Party, George Lopez publicly endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders for President during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
After five years, George Lopez's partnership with Carnival Cruises as creative director for comedy came to an end in 2016.
George Lopez joined the judges' panel on "America's Got Talent" in 2016, bringing his comedic expertise and eye for talent to the popular competition show.
George Lopez took on a dramatic role in the independent film "El Chicano" in 2019.
In May 2022, NBC picked up "Lopez vs. Lopez," a new sitcom starring George Lopez and his daughter, Mayan, marking their first time working together on a television project.
George Lopez joined the DC Extended Universe in 2023, playing Rudy Reyes in the superhero film "Blue Beetle."
George Lopez is set to star in the upcoming film "The Underdogs," scheduled for release in 2024.