Dominic Lopez is no longer known simply for accompanying his famous father to Hollywood events. The 13-year-old actor, whose father is television personality and former Saved by the Bell star Mario Lopez, has accumulated screen credits of his own, including a guest appearance on Matlock and roles in independent and family-oriented films.
In August 2026, father and son also co-hosted Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood, bringing their shared entertainment interests into public view. Their next high-profile collaboration, Three Generations, One Christmas, pairs them with Tony Danza in a holiday story about inheritance and family tradition.
Dominic’s emerging career offers a distinctive look at how a second-generation performer can benefit from an established Hollywood connection while still having to learn the craft for himself.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dominic Luciano Lopez |
| Nickname | Nico |
| Date of Birth | September 9, 2013 |
| Age (2026) | 13 years old |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Child Actor |
| Famous For | Acting career and being Mario Lopez’s son |
| Father | Mario Lopez |
| Mother | Courtney Lopez (Courtney Mazza) |
| Siblings | Gia Francesca Lopez and Santino Rafael Lopez |
| Notable TV Appearance | Matlock |
| Notable Films | Once Upon a Christmas Wish, Bad Counselors, Last Shot |
| Upcoming Film (2026) | Three Generations, One Christmas |
| Other Interests | Wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, music and dancing |
| Relationship Status | Not applicable (minor) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
Why Dominic Lopez Is Drawing Attention in 2026
On August 5, 2026, Dominic joined Mario as a co-host at Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood in Los Angeles. The live assignment placed him before an industry audience rather than a film camera.
For Mario, the experience carried an obvious personal resonance. He began acting as a child decades before his son entered the business. In an interview with People following the event, he described watching Dominic pursue a similar path as a special moment, connecting the occasion with memories of his own beginnings.
His credits now range across television drama, holiday entertainment and comedy. Although still an emerging actor, he has moved beyond occasional appearances beside his parents.
The Lopez Family and a Childhood Around Entertainment
Born on September 9, 2013, Dominic Luciano Lopez is the middle child of Mario Lopez and actress and performer Courtney Lopez, also known professionally as Courtney Mazza. His older sister, Gia Francesca, was born in 2010, while younger brother Santino Rafael arrived in 2019. Dominic is frequently called Nico by his family.
Mario became famous as A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell before presenting Extra and Access Hollywood. The latter ended in September 2026 after three decades on television.
Courtney has performed onstage and screen. She met Mario during Broadway’s A Chorus Line, and they married in 2012. Their family offers Dominic firsthand exposure to entertainment, but a famous surname cannot determine his career.
The Acting Credits That Tell the Story
From a Family Holiday Film to His Own Character
Dominic appeared as Joey Delucca in the 2024 television film Once Upon a Christmas Wish, alongside Mario and Courtney. It was an early professional screen credit in a familiar family-film format.
A more substantial identifiable role followed in Mario Lopez Presents: Chasing Christmas, which premiered on Great American Family in December 2025. Dominic played Cruz, the son of Mia, portrayed by Jillian Murray. The film follows two families brought together by a search for a sought-after Christmas gift, with Trevor Donovan playing the other adult lead.
Cruz is part of the central family story, giving Dominic a role in the film’s developing relationships. Despite Mario’s name appearing in its title, Dominic does not simply play his father’s son.
A Guest Role on Matlock
Dominic expanded into network drama with Matlock, the CBS series starring Kathy Bates. His credited role is Luca Alvarez in the second-season episode “Collateral,” which aired in February 2026. Mario had previously shared a behind-the-scenes photograph of Dominic with Bates, drawing attention to the young actor’s work on the series.
Although not a recurring role, the appearance gave Dominic experience working within an established network drama and its distinctive storytelling style.
Comedy and Film Projects
Dominic is also credited as Shadow in Bad Counselors, a comedy centred on a camp for middle-school students, alongside an ensemble that includes Chris Klein and Missi Pyle. Another 2026 film credit is Last Shot, in which he plays a character named Nico.
The credits broaden his filmography, although cast listings alone cannot establish billing, compensation or the size of each part.
October 2026 brought another format: Dominic appeared with Mario, Courtney and other family members in Honey, I Think Our House Is Haunted, an aTwist comedy microdrama. The short-form series follows a family investigating strange events in an inherited house. Its mobile-oriented format is a departure from traditional television films.
Three Generations, One Christmas: The Biggest Family Collaboration
A forthcoming Great American Family film provides the clearest expression of the family’s overlapping professional lives. Initially announced in April 2026 as Christmas at the Starlight, the production is now being promoted as Three Generations, One Christmas. The current schedule lists a streaming premiere on Great American Pure Flix on November 19 and a Great American Family television premiere on November 21, 2026.
Tony Danza plays Frank, a veteran entertainer considering the sale of The Starlight, a supper club that has been part of his community for 40 years. Mario portrays Frank’s son, and Dominic plays the next generation. The central conflict concerns whether a family landmark and its traditions should be preserved.
The casting makes their real relationship part of the drama’s emotional framework. Courtney is also among the credited performers, strengthening the family connection.
For Dominic, working opposite a veteran of stage and television offers valuable experience. The film’s reception remains to be seen.
What Mario Lopez Has Said About Supporting His Son
Mario has repeatedly presented Dominic’s interest in acting as the child’s own choice. Speaking to People in early 2025, he said that Dominic wanted to pursue further work and that the family had tried to be supportive rather than actively encourage or discourage him.
By December that year, Mario was discussing several productions Dominic had worked on. His advice emphasised effort, focus and good conduct rather than celebrity status. Such guidance reflects Mario’s experience as a child actor, but it also distinguishes parental support from a guarantee of industry success.
Mario has also credited Dominic’s competitive wrestling with helping him handle difficult situations. Their shared interest in martial arts extends their connection beyond acting.
Auditions, training and new casts can still help Dominic develop independence despite his father’s industry experience.
Wrestling, Music and Life Outside a Film Set
In a 2023 interview with Us Weekly, Mario described Dominic as active in singing, dancing, piano, wrestling and competitive Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He said his son was competing in wrestling and jiu-jitsu at a high level for his age. Those comments reflect activities publicly described at the time, rather than a verified list of Dominic’s current training commitments.
Mario has also spoken about keeping his children active and away from screens. He shares Dominic’s interest in jiu-jitsu and other combat sports.
Details about Dominic’s schooling and everyday private life are appropriately limited. His public record is strongest when it concerns announced productions, credited performances and activities his parents have chosen to discuss openly.
A Career Still at the Beginning
Dominic remains an emerging teenage actor. His films, network television role and live hosting assignment show variety, but do not confirm any long-term career plan.
There is also no dependable public figure for his personal earnings or net worth. Because he is a minor and his financial arrangements are private, claims assigning him a precise fortune should not be treated as established facts.
The roles he chooses and whether he continues acting will matter more than predictions. His November holiday release remains the clearest upcoming project.
Conclusion
Dominic Lopez has begun establishing a screen career that is visible beyond his father’s fame. His appearances in Matlock, Chasing Christmas and other productions show genuine professional activity, while Three Generations, One Christmas places his family connection at the centre of a major seasonal release.
At 13, the important story is not a predicted Hollywood destiny but the range of experience he is gaining while his career remains open-ended.
FAQs
Who is Dominic Lopez?
Dominic Lopez is an American teenage actor and the son of Mario Lopez and Courtney Lopez. He has appeared in television films, a CBS drama and other screen projects. He also co-hosted Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood with his father in August 2026.
How old is Dominic Lopez in 2026?
Dominic was born on September 9, 2013, making him 13 years old as of October 2026. His full name is commonly reported as Dominic Luciano Lopez, and relatives often call him Nico.
Which movies and television programmes feature Dominic Lopez?
His documented credits include Once Upon a Christmas Wish, Chasing Christmas, Bad Counselors, Last Shot and the CBS drama Matlock. He also stars in the upcoming Three Generations, One Christmas. Specific roles and release information vary by production.
Is Dominic Lopez acting with Mario Lopez and Tony Danza?
Yes. All three appear in Three Generations, One Christmas, previously announced as Christmas at the Starlight. Tony Danza plays the grandfather, Mario Lopez his son and Dominic the grandson. The Great American Family broadcast is scheduled for November 21, 2026.
What is Dominic Lopez’s net worth?
Dominic’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Available coverage confirms acting projects but does not establish his income, contracts, savings or other financial arrangements. Online estimates without credible supporting documentation should not be presented as factual.
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