Mario Lopez on 'Saved By The Bell' Residuals: 'Sometimes Less Than the Postage'

Mario Lopez, known for his role as A.C. Slater on the 1990s sitcom "Saved By The Bell," has publicly corroborated former co-star Tiffani Thiessen's assertions about the surprisingly small residual payments received from the show. Lopez stated in a recent interview that the residuals can amount to "sometimes less than the postage."

Lopez's comments, made to The Daily Mail, echoed Thiessen's earlier remarks that her "Saved By The Bell" residuals were sometimes less than the cost to print the check. "Real talk!" Lopez had tweeted in response to Thiessen's claims at the time. He elaborated that while many assume actors from popular shows are financially set, this is not always the case, particularly for those whose shows aired on Saturday mornings.

"A lot of people think just 'cause you come out of TV and stuff, you're set," Lopez told The Daily Mail. "That's not always the case. Not everybody's making that sort of Seinfeld, Friends-type money from that era."

"Saved By The Bell" originally aired on NBC's Saturday morning lineup from 1989 to 1993. Lopez acknowledged that as young actors, they did not secure the most advantageous deals. "We were kids and it wasn't the best deal, and looking back, but it provided a lot of the opportunities that I'm able to kind of have today," he said, crediting the show for opening doors in his career.

Lopez's experience contrasts sharply with actors from primetime shows of the same era, some of whom continue to earn millions from syndication. For instance, actors from "Friends" reportedly earn $20 million annually from reruns, while Ray Romano of "Everybody Loves Raymond" receives up to $18 million each year in syndication residuals. Even "Seinfeld" stars Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David are reported to have made substantial sums from backend profits.

Lopez, who has had a successful career in television hosting, including stints on "Extra" and "Access Hollywood," was speaking at The Alma Academy in Las Vegas. The event, which focused on medical aesthetics and innovation, also saw Lopez hosting the Almies Awards Gala.

"It was an awesome experience between Extra and Access. It was twenty years, and I love it, and grateful for everybody that I worked with," Lopez said of his long tenure in television hosting. He continues to host a nationally syndicated radio show, "On with Mario," with his wife and is involved in other entertainment projects. The actor also noted his personal routine involves facials due to extensive makeup use for work, and he tries to avoid ingrown hairs when shaving.

Despite the modest residuals from "Saved By The Bell," Lopez expressed gratitude for the opportunities the show provided and his subsequent career path. Thiessen, who began her acting career on "Saved By The Bell," similarly noted that her earnings only increased significantly after moving on to shows like "90210." She added that during "Saved By The Bell," the cast had little leverage, as they were young and "just did our job."