George Lopez is a multitalented entertainer whose career encompasses television, film, stand-up comedy, and now, late-night television. Lopez most recently announced his exciting foray into the late night arena, in which he will headline a brand new late night talk show for TBS. Lopez Tonight will air Monday through Thursday nights and is set to debut on November 9, 2009. Lopez will also serve as Executive Producer. In August, Lopez will film his second HBO Comedy special: Tall Dark and Chicano. His first HBO Comedy Special, America’s Mexican, aired in 2007.
Also in August, Lopez will film Valentine’s Day directed by Gary Marshall. The movie is an ensemble comedy also starring Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Bradley Cooper, Shirley MacLaine, Jennifer Garner, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Biel, and Jessica Alba. Lopez will next be seen starring opposite Jackie Chan in The Spy Next Door, out in theatres on January 29, 2010.
Lopez most recently starred in Mr. Troop Mom with Jane Lynch for Nick at Nite. The film, which premiered on June 19th, was the channels highest rated original movie premiere since March of 2007, and is now available on DVD. In addition, Lopez recently lent his voice to the live action Walt Disney Pictures’ blockbuster film Beverly Hills Chihuahua opposite Drew Barrymore. Directed by Raja Gosnell, the film chronicles the adventures of a pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua named Chloe (voiced by Barrymore) who gets lost while on vacation in Mexico and must rely on her friends to help her get back home. George is the voice of “Papi”, a macho romantic Chihuahua who will do anything for the love of Chloe. The film also features the voices of Andy Garcia, Salma Hayek, Placido Domingo and Edward James Olmos.
Earlier this year, George co-starred in Swing Vote opposite Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper, Nathan Lane, Kelsey Grammer and Stanley Tucci. Other film credits include Henry Poole Is Here and Balls of Fury, Robert Rodriguez’s The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl, HBO’s Fidel and the Wonderful World of Disney Christmas movie Naughty or Nice. Additionally, George earned praise for his performance in the 2002 film Real Women Have Curves, which received the Sundance Film Festival’s Audience Award. He also appeared in the critically acclaimed drama Bread and Roses directed by Ken Loach which opened the Cannes Film Festival in 2000.
Maintaining an extremely active schedule as a stand-up comedian, George’s shows sell-out coast to coast and continuously break attendance records at major theatres and arenas. Lopez also performed as part of HBO and TBS’s Comic Relief 2006, and his acclaimed comedy concert, Why You Crying?, debuted on Showtime in 2004. Lopez released his third standup CD, El Mas Chingon, in 2006, earning a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Comedy Album. In 2004, he was nominated for a Grammy in the same category for his CD Team Leader. In May 2004, his autobiography, Why You Crying?, appeared on The New York Times Bestsellers Top 20 List. The book was co-written by Emmy®-winning writer and sportscaster Armen Keteyian. His success led Lopez to be the focus of the award-winning documentary Brown is the New Green: George Lopez and the American Dream.
Lopez created Warner Bros Television’s groundbreaking hit sitcom, George Lopez, which he co-created, wrote, produced and starred. The show ran for six seasons on ABC. George Lopez remains a huge success in syndication on both broadcast stations and cable’s Nick At Nite, quickly becoming the cable network’s highest rated program. It is now among the top five comedies and top 20 weekly programs in syndication.
In 2006, Lopez received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition Time magazine named him as one of the 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America, and the Harris Poll named him as one of the Top Ten Favorite Television Personalities. Additionally, Lopez was name by TV Guide as one of the Top 50 Greatest Television Dads of All Time. Lopez has made more than 200 television comedy, talk show, and hosting appearances, including co-hosting the Emmy Awards and twice hosting the Latin Grammys. Other honors include an Imagen Vision Award, the Latino Spirit Award, and the National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Award, as well as receiving multiple Image, Imagen, and BET Award nominations.
In 2005, Lopez received a kidney transplant with a kidney donated by his wife, Ann. They have since become national spokespeople for the National Kidney Foundation, helping to raise millions of dollars for the cause. Lopez was presented with the Artist of the Year and Humanitarian Award by Harvard University and the Spirit of Liberty Award by the American Way. 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.
Lopez resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife Ann and daughter Mayan.