George Lopez
(Wednesdays, 8:00-8:30 p.m., ET)
GEORGE LOPEZ
Star of the ABC Television Network's "George Lopez"
George Lopez is one of the premiere comedic talents in the entertainment industry today. He is the co-creator, writer, producer and star of the Warner Bros. Television-produced sitcom, "George Lopez." The show is executive-produced by Bruce Helford ("The Drew Carey Show," "Roseanne") and movie star Sandra Bullock, and is in its fifth season, airing Wednesdays, from 8:00-8:30 p.m., on ABC.
Lopez's current CD, "Team Leader," was released on Oglio Records/Warner Bros. to great public acclaim. It was nominated for a 2004 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. His previous best-selling CD, "Right Now Right Now," was released in 2001. In 2004 his autobiography, "Why You Crying?," was released by the Touchstone/Fireside division of Simon & Schuster and entered in the New York Times Bestseller's top twenty. The book is co-written by Emmy Award-winning writer and sportscaster Armen Keteyian.
Lopez was a cast member and commentator for HBO's hit sports show, "Inside the NFL," for the 2003-2004 football season. He is a two-time host of the Latin Grammy Awards and a co-host of the Emmy Awards. He starred in the "Wonderful World of Disney" Christmas movie, "Naughty or Nice," which aired in December 2004 on ABC. He also stars in the Robert Rodriguez Miramax/Dimension feature film, "The Adventures of Shark Boy & Lava Girl," which opened in June 2005.
Maintaining an extremely active schedule as a standup comedian, Lopez is a sell-out attraction coast to coast and has headlined concerts at many prestigious venues, including Las Vegas Hilton, Foxwoods Casino, ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Town Hall in New York, the Shoreline Amphitheater in San Francisco, Next Stage in Dallas, SBC Center in San Antonio, Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA, Dodge Theater in Phoenix and San Jose Sate University Events Center in San Jose, CA. He has also performed for the President at historic Ford Theatre in Washington, DC. In December 2004, Lopez set an attendance record at Universal Amphitheater with seven consecutive sold-out performances and over 42,000 in total attendance. His live comedy concert, "Why You Crying?," debuted on Showtime on Memorial Day 2004.
Lopez has earned kudos for his performance in the HBO Films drama, "Real Women Have Curves," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to tremendous reviews -- receiving the 2002 Audience Award. Previously he was featured in the acclaimed drama "Bread and Roses." The film, directed by British filmmaker Ken Loach and released by Lion's Gate, received critical acclaim after its premier at the Cannes Film Festival.
In 2001 Lopez hosted a major morning radio for Clear Channel Communications in Los Angeles. He was the first Latino to have headlined the keystone morning radio slot on an English-language station in LA -- the nation's top radio market.
Among his many industry awards and honors, Lopez received the 2003 Imagen Vision Award, the 2003 Latino Spirit Award for Excellence in Television and the National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Award.
He was a featured celebrity golfer in The 2004 Chrysler Bob Hope Classic and the 2004 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He and his pro partner finished third in the Pebble Beach event. He was the top ranking celebrity at completion of the golf tournament.
A native of Los Angeles who grew up in San Fernando Valley's Mission Hills, Lopez devotes much time to the community. His own charity, The George & Ann Lopez-Richie Alarcon CARE Foundation, provides significant community and arts resources for education. He received the Manny Mota Foundation Community Spirit Award and was named Honorary Mayor of Los Angeles for his extensive fundraising efforts benefiting earthquake victims in El Salvador and Guatemala. In February 2004, he was presented the 2004 Artist of the Year and Humanitarian Award by Harvard University. The award was presented by the president and dean of Harvard University in a day-long celebration with the student body, and honored Lopez's artistic work and charitable endeavors. In September 2004, he was honored with the "Spirit of Liberty Award" presented by People for the American Way.
Lopez is an avid golfer who currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and family.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Mission Hills, CA
BIRTHDATE April 23