B&B Alumni Mario Lopez Suffers a Heartbreaking Loss

Mario Lopez, best known to TV viewers from his run as A.C. Slater on Saved By The Bell, visited daytime as Felicia Forrester’s doctor on The Bold and the Beautiful when the heroine was battling cancer. Now, Lopez is sharing news of a real-life heartbreak.

Mario Lopez Shares Emotional Loss

“Tough day,” Lopez began his post, relaying the news that his beloved dog Julio has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. “After 13 years we had to put down Julio. He was an awesome dog…. A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. Once you have a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished. Julio… Thank you, I love you and I celebrate your time with us…”

Julio’s Life In Pictures

It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Check out Lopez’s Instagram post below that show the love he and his family had for Julio over the years. Julio is seen in family photos and was not against dressing up on occasion as a character from The Wizard of Oz. (Click through the slide show to see which character Julio played — on Halloween, perhaps?) Condolences from Lopez’s celebrity friends Frank Grillo (ex-Hart, Guiding Light) and reporter Kit Hoover filled Lopez’s post on Julio. “Nooooooooo!!! Sending you tight hugs,” Hoover wrote.

Mario Lopez’s Time On B&B And Beyond

Lopez’s run on B&B wasn’t long (he aired for several months in 2006), but he did play a key role in Felicia‘s cancer storyline on B&B. The writers tied Christian to the Ramirez family. He is the younger brother of Hector (Lorenzo Lamas). After Lopez wrapped up his run as Christian, he went on to appear as a celebrity contestant on Dancing With the Stars. He was paired with dance pro, Karina Smirnoff.

In 2018, Lopez returned to Daytime to host, along with The Talk’s Sheryl Underwood, The Daytime Emmys. The duo reprised their hosting gigs in 2019. Currently, Lopez serves as the co-host of Access Daily, a syndicated entertainment news program. His upcoming acting projects include the Untitled Mario Lopez/Jana Kramer Holiday Movie (TV Movie) and Holiday in Santa Fe. He’s also set to host a show that will have extra meaning to him now — The CW Dog Honors. Soap Hub sends sincere condolences to the actor and his family at this difficult time.