History of George Lopez in Timeline

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.

April 23, 1961: Birth of George Lopez

George Edward Lopez was born on April 23, 1961.

1979: George Lopez Graduates High School

George Lopez graduated from San Fernando High School in 1979.

1993: George Lopez Marries Ann Serrano

George Lopez married Ann Serrano in 1993.

1996: Birth of Mayan Lopez

George Lopez and Ann Serrano welcomed their daughter, Mayan, in 1996.

2000: George Lopez Appears in "Bread and Roses"

George Lopez appeared in the drama "Bread and Roses" in 2000.

2000: Sandra Bullock Approaches George Lopez for Sitcom

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.

2002: "Real Women Have Curves" Premieres at Sundance

"Real Women Have Curves," a drama starring George Lopez, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002, earning critical acclaim and the Audience Award.

2002: George Lopez Sitcom Premieres

Breaking barriers in television, George Lopez's self-titled sitcom premiered in 2002, marking a significant step for Hispanic representation in mainstream media.

2003: George Lopez Receives Imagen Vision Award and Latino Spirit Award

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.

2003: George Lopez Joins "Inside the NFL"

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.

February 2004: Harvard Foundation Honors George Lopez with Artist of the Year and Humanitarian Award

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.

April 2004: George Lopez's Health Condition and Transplant Decision

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".

September 2004: People for the American Way Honors George Lopez with Spirit of Liberty Award

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.

2004: Celebrity Golf Appearances

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.

August 2005: Time Magazine Recognizes Lopez's Influence

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."

2005: George Lopez Stars in "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D"

George Lopez showcased his acting range in Robert Rodriguez's family adventure film "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D" in 2005.

2005: Kidney Transplant and Health Improvement

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.

2005: George Lopez Named One of "The Top 25 Hispanics in America"

Time magazine recognized George Lopez's impact by naming him one of "The Top 25 Hispanics in America" in 2005.

2006: Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Hosting

Beginning in 2006, George Lopez took on the role of host for the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

March 8, 2007: "George Lopez" Joins Nick at Nite Lineup

Expanding its reach, "George Lopez" joined the Nick at Nite lineup on March 8, 2007.

May 15, 2007: ABC Announces Cancellation of "George Lopez"

Despite its popularity, ABC announced the cancellation of "George Lopez" on May 15, 2007, after six seasons.

September 7, 2007: Final "George Lopez" Episode Airs on ABC

On September 7, 2007, the final episode of "George Lopez" aired on ABC, marking the end of an era for the groundbreaking sitcom.

September 10, 2007: "George Lopez" Premieres on Nick at Nite

"George Lopez" made its debut on Nick at Nite on September 10, 2007, introducing the show to a new audience.

2007: Release of "Brown is The New Green: George Lopez and the American Dream"

"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.

2007: George Lopez Criticizes ABC's Decision to Cancel His Show

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.

2007: "George Lopez" Sitcom Ends

George Lopez's groundbreaking sitcom concluded its run in 2007 after five seasons.

2008: George Lopez Guest Stars on "Reno 911!"

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!"

2008: George Lopez Voices Papi in "Beverly Hills Chihuahua"

Lending his voice to the world of animation, George Lopez voiced the character of Papi Cortez in Disney's "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" in 2008.

January 2009: George Lopez Performs at Obama Inaugural Celebration

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.

March 28, 2009: George Lopez to Host Late-Night Talk Show on TBS

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.

November 2009: "Lopez Tonight" Premieres on TBS

George Lopez's highly anticipated late-night talk show, "Lopez Tonight," premiered on TBS in November 2009.

September 27, 2010: George Lopez Announces Separation

George Lopez and his wife, Ann Serrano, announced their separation on September 27, 2010.

November 2010: "Lopez Tonight" Moves Timeslot

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.

November 23, 2010: Ann Serrano Files for Divorce

Ann Serrano filed for divorce from George Lopez on November 23, 2010.

2010: George Lopez Stars in "The Spy Next Door"

George Lopez starred opposite Jackie Chan in the action-comedy "The Spy Next Door" in 2010.

July 1, 2011: George Lopez's Divorce Finalized

George Lopez's divorce from Ann Serrano was finalized on July 1, 2011.

August 10, 2011: TBS Cancels "Lopez Tonight"

Despite its initial success, "Lopez Tonight" was canceled by TBS on August 10, 2011, after two seasons.

October 18, 2011: San Fernando Elementary School Honors George Lopez

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.

2011: George Lopez Becomes Creative Director for Comedy at Carnival Cruises

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.

April 18, 2013: FX Announces "Saint George" Sitcom Starring George Lopez

FX announced a new sitcom starring George Lopez, titled "Saint George," on April 18, 2013.

March 6, 2014: "Saint George" Premieres on FX

"Saint George," George Lopez's new sitcom, premiered on FX on March 6, 2014.

June 25, 2014: FX Cancels "Saint George"

Despite high hopes, "Saint George" was canceled by FX on June 25, 2014, after one season.

August 2015: TV Land Orders "Lopez" Sitcom

TV Land greenlit "Lopez," a single-camera sitcom starring George Lopez, in August 2015.

March 30, 2016: "Lopez" Premieres on TV Land

George Lopez returned to television with "Lopez," a semi-autobiographical sitcom that premiered on TV Land on March 30, 2016.

2016: Political Endorsement

A supporter of the Democratic Party, George Lopez publicly endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders for President during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

2016: George Lopez's Role with Carnival Cruises Ends

After five years, George Lopez's partnership with Carnival Cruises as creative director for comedy came to an end in 2016.

2016: George Lopez as Guest Judge on "America's Got Talent"

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.

2019: George Lopez Stars in "El Chicano"

George Lopez took on a dramatic role in the independent film "El Chicano" in 2019.

May 2022: NBC Picks Up "Lopez vs. Lopez"

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.