STILL GOING STRONG

The busy host and family man invites Us into his L.A. home to talk about turning 50, life with his wife and kids and why he'll never retire

- JAIME HARKIN

Mario Lopez is feeling introspective as he celebrates turning the big 5-0 on Oct. 10. “It’s an age where you pause and reflect on how you got here and what’s to come in the future,” he shares. One thing’s for sure as he looks ahead — he won’t be slowing down anytime soon. “I want to keep grinding. The fact that I was a former child actor who was able to make that transition into working as consistently as I have is what I’m most proud of,” explains the Saved by the Bell alum and father of three. (Lopez shares Gia, 13, Dominic, 10, and Santino, 4, with his wife of 10 years, Courtney.) “I don’t take it for granted,” he continues. “I’m thankful for my blessings, and I want to keep doing what I’m doing and more of it.”

How does it feel to turn 50?

I feel good. It isn’t going to slow me down. It’s one of those birthdays where you’re like, “Whoa, it sounds old,” but it isn’t. If you make health a priority, there’s no reason why you can’t keep going another 50.

Is this where you imagined you’d be at this age?

When you’re young, you don’t even think about 50. But now that I’m here, I’m like, “50 is the new 30!”

Well, you don’t look a day over 30!

I’m always flattered when somebody says something like that, but it’s not like I do anything in particular. I’m just lucky, and I always say that I drink a lot of tequila, and it preserves you. It’s like an embalming fluid. And I’m happy — that keeps you youthful.

And what about exercise?