Mario Lopez Coming To Columbus On July 3

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Mario Lopez, host of Extra, weeknights at 7 p.m.on NBC 4, will make appearances around Columbus on Friday, July 3, including appearances at Big Lots and Red, White and Boom! 

Mario Lopez will make a special appearance at the Big Lots in the Polaris area, located at 1245 Polaris Parkway, on July 3 from 1-2 p.m.  Lopez and Big Lots would also like to help fight hunger in Central Ohio. Attendees are asked to bring one or more non-perishable food items to Big Lots to donate to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

Lopez will also appear on NBC 4 at 5 p.m., live from NBC 4’s BoomCentral broadcast site, located at the southeast corner of Broad Street and Washington Blvd. 

He will also be the star attraction at the Red, White and Boom Independence Day Parade. The parade steps off on Broad Street and Belle Street at 6 p.m. 

Big Lots and NBC 4 are providing a special opportunity exclusively for NBC 4 Rewards members. Beginning June 21, members can register at NBC4Rewards.com to win a meet and greet with Lopez at NBC 4’s BoomCentral downtown at Red, White and Boom.

Mario Lopez, who danced his way into America’s heart on the hit program “Dancing With the Stars,” is the host of the long-running daily syndicated entertainment magazine program, “Extra.” Lopez, who has served as a co-host of the hit show’s weekend edition as well as a correspondent for the daily program since joining “Extra” in January 2007, will take over the anchor chair on September 15, 2008, as the show begins its milestone 15 season. 

A highly engaging, likeable and sought-after host and personality, Lopez likes to stay busy.  In addition to his role of singular host of “Extra,” he is the host of Warner Horizon Television’s hit reality-competition series “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew,” now in its second season on MTV. He recently starred on Broadway in the revival of “A Chorus Line” and he’s a recurring commentator for “HBO Boxing.”  Lopez is also a regular guest host on the daytime talk show, “Live with Regis and Kelly” and recently made guest-starring appearances on “Nip/Tuck” and “George Lopez.”  This past spring, People named Lopez 2008’s Hottest Bachelor.  Also on the small screen, Mario recently starred in the highest rated program in ABC Family history, “Holiday in Handcuffs.”  He also starred opposite Mark Consuelos in the made for TV movie “Husband for Hire,” which was the most watched program ever on the Oxygen Network.
In the midst of all his television and stage work, Mario can now add author and fitness expert to his resumé.  His first book, Mario Lopez’s Knockout Fitness, was released in stores May 2008. 

Born in San Diego, Lopez began his career as the younger brother on the 1984 television series “A.K.A. Pablo.” Throughout the years, he has become well known to television audiences through his roles on NBC’s “Saved by the Bell” and USA Network’s “Pacific Blue,” where he portrayed police officer Bobby Cruz. Lopez brought the bachelor’s view every single woman wants to know more about to NBC’s “The Other Half.”  He helped bridge the gap between sports and entertainment on “ESPN Hollywood.” Additionally, he portrayed Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis in the Movie of the Week, “Breaking the Surface: the Greg Louganis Story.”  Lopez’s film credits include “Colors,” “Depraved” and a starring role in the 1999 independent film “Eastside.” He also co-produced and starred in the 2002 independent film “Outta Time.”

NBC 4 (WCMH-TV) is an NBC affiliate of the Media General Broadcast Group and market leader with accurate, balanced and to the point coverage of relevant news and information and on the Web at http://www.nbc4i.com. NBC 4—Where Accuracy Matters.