Mario Lopez reveals secrets to his long-lasting marriage

Mario Lopez says laughter, regular date nights and “never stopping dating” are the secrets behind his long-lasting marriage to Courtney Lopez.

The Saved by the Bell actor and television host, 52, made the remarks as he appeared alongside wife Courtney, 43, at the Calamigos Ranch Resort and Spa Leading Hotels during the World Accreditation Celebration in California, where they spoke about balancing marriage, family life and careers in the entertainment industry.

Mario, who rose to fame playing A.C. Slater in teen sitcom phenomenon Saved by the Bell before later becoming a longtime entertainment presenter on programmes including Extra and Access Hollywood, has remained a regular fixture in celebrity media while also documenting family life on social media and reality television appearances with Courtney and their children.

Speaking to People, Mario praised Courtney as the foundation of their relationship.

He said: “I’m just really lucky, married to an incredible woman who gets me, knows me, fortunately loves me, and we laugh a lot and have a lot of fun.”

Mario added: “We’re blessed with three great kids, three great dogs, so I feel really good and lucky.”

Courtney echoed his comments while reflecting on how their relationship has evolved since they first met during a Broadway revival of A Chorus Line in 2008.

She said: “It just gets better and better, and I’m not trying to be corny, but it does.”

Courtney added: “We just love each other. We have fun. We laugh.”

The couple share three children together – Gia, 15, Dominic, 12, and Santino, six – and married in Punta Mita, Mexico, in 2012 after welcoming their eldest daughter in 2010.

Discussing how they maintain their relationship amid busy work schedules, Mario said they intentionally create time together through regular trips and date nights.

He said: “We try to carve out certain days.”

Referring to the Malibu event, Mario added: “This little event is a little getaway weekend within town, which is great, so we get to be back on Sunday.”

He continued: “Those are important. We never stopped dating – that’s important.”

Mario also revealed many of his and Courtney’s favourite trips are relatively simple rather than extravagant international holidays.

He said: “It’s funny because we like to go to Vegas a lot.”

Mario added: “We go for the fights, we’ll go for shows and stuff, do the wine trips.”

He continued: “This is great. Catch up on sleep.”

Mario and Courtney have frequently spoken publicly about the routines and boundaries they believe help strengthen their marriage.

During a previous interview with People in December, Mario said they follow three unspoken rules in their relationship.

He said: “We try to go without no more than two weeks without seeing each other.”

Mario added avoiding “going to bed angry” and continuing to “prioritise date nights” were also important.

Mario has remained active across television and film in recent years while continuing to capitalise on nostalgia surrounding Saved by the Bell, one of the defining American sitcoms of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The actor has also appeared in numerous holiday films and entertainment programmes, while Courtney has collaborated with him on family-focused media projects and red carpet appearances.