George Lopez: Latino Funny Man
George Lopez is one of the premier comedic talents in the entertainment industry. He is the co-creator, writer, producer and star of the ABC network and 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. In fall 2006, the show will enter its sixth season.
George was recently 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 recently starred in the ABC-TV / Wonderful World of Disney Christmas movie Naughty or Nice. George also stars in the Robert Rodriguez, Miramax/Dimension feature film The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl in 3-D which opened June 2005. Lopez is co-starring in the upcoming Spyglass/Rogue/Universal feature film Balls of Fury, which is currently in production.
Lopez’s live comedy concert Why You Crying? debuted on Showtime, Memorial Day weekend 2004. The DVD of the concert special will be released by Paramount Home Entertainment in September 2005.
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, Lopez 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.
Lopez received the 2003 Imagen Vision Award, 2003 Latino Spirit Award for Excellence in Television and the National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Award.
George was a featured celebrity golfer in The 2004 Chrysler Bob Hope Classic and the 2004 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Lopez and his pro partner finished third in the Pebble Beach event. George 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, George devotes much time to the community. He has 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, George 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 and honored George’s artistic work and charitable endeavors.
In September 2004, George was honored with the Spirit of Liberty Award presented by People for the American Way. In August 2005, Time Magazine recognized George as one of The 25 Most Influential Hispanics In America.
George persevered through a life of congenital kidney disease. In April 2005 he received a kidney transplant, donated from his wife Ann. George is in the best condition of his life, and he and Ann Lopez are national spokespeople for the National Kidney Foundation.
George’s celebrity continues to grow. He made his debut in the Harris Poll for Favorite TV Personalities. George is one of the top ten favorite TV personalities of 2005. Having become one of television’s biggest celebrities, on March 29, 2006 the Hollywood Walk of Fame presented George his own star on legendary Hollywood Boulevard.
In addition to his success on the small screen, Lopez maintains an extremely active schedule as a stand-up comedian, selling-out prestigious arena venues coast-to-coast. With his new comedy album, George’s observations on Latino culture and his own life reveal him to be one of the most real and honest comedians working today.
Lopez is an avid golfer who currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and family.