George Lopez is having the time of his life–and appreciating every minute of it.
Growing up in San Fernando, Calif., Lopez lived with his grandparents and worked in an airplane-parts plant until deciding the comedy biz might be his ticket out of a factory-worker’s life. At age 18, he began what was to be a two-decade journey in the club circuit, during which time he appeared on some 70 TV hows including The Tonight Show.
Then, in 2000, Lopez got his first big break as a DJ on a morning radio show in L.A. and found his acting career heating up as well; he earned kudos in the indie films Bread and Roses and Real Women Have Curves. But Lopez‘s biggest break came three years ago thanks to Sandra Bullock, who got the idea for a series starring Lopez after catching one of his gigs. “Once I saw his stand-up I realized that his life and situations were much better than the ideas we had had,” the actress told People magazine last year.
Now Bullock serves as executive producer on Lopez‘s hit ABC sitcom The George Lopez Show, in which he plays a factory manager with a loving wife, a teenage daughter and precocious son–plus an overbearing, insensitive mother who lives with him and generally drives him crazy. It’s not quite autobiographical, but more of an upbeat version of the actor’s life.
Hollywood.com felt a pro like Lopez could handle a few quirky questions. Here’s what he had to say about what really makes him laugh, why he’d like to invite Elvis to dinner, and the advice he has for other comics.
What is the worst job you’ve ever had?
Sold “area code books” door-to-door.
You’re having a dinner party and can invite one world leader and one famous dead person. Who would you choose?
Martin Luther King and Elvis Presley. To find out who is really the “King.”
What makes you laugh?
When people fall down.
What ticks you off?
Arrogance.
Boxers or briefs?
Briefs, but…it’s like corn or flour.
Jennifer Lopez or Halle Berry?
I always picture them, them and me watching.
What’s your favorite/the best joke you ever told?
I still haven’t told it yet–I’ll let you know.
Give us your idea of a perfect date.
Me and three of my friends and a round of golf.
On your show, your mother is a bit overbearing. Is there one thing, welcome or unwelcome, your own mother told you growing up?
That my only friend is a dollar in my pocket — I don’t even have that.
What piece of advice would you give a struggling stand-up comedian?
Be fearless and work harder than anybody else, and most of all have fun. It’s not life or death.
Besides your own show, what is a television program you cannot miss?
HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm.
You do a lot of work with charities. In what ways can an everyday person be charitable?
Be considerate of other people’s feelings.
What’s one thing that’s always in your refrigerator?
Salsa!
Here’s your chance to appear on George’s show! Click here and “Walk This Way” to enter our sweepstakes…
