Mario Lopez Recreates Viral 2012 Christmas Photo in Tiny, Playful Underwear (Exclusive)

Mario Lopez is ringing in the holiday season with a playful nod to his past. For this years family Christmas card photoshoot in mid-November, the Access Hollywood host donned a pair of tiny red underwear to recreate a memorable snapshot his wife, Courtney Lopez, shared online back in 2012.

Back then, 52-year-old Mario wore red briefs and a black T-shirt while standing on a ladder to decorate a Christmas tree. His daughter Gia, now 15, held his legs for support. This year, his youngest son, Santino, 6, took on the role of stabilizer.

Reflecting on the original photo, Courtney shared with PEOPLE that it was a spontaneous moment: "I was decorating a tree at our old house, and Gia helped Mario reach the star on her own. I happened to have my camera and captured it. It went viral, and we now affectionately call it 'the Lopezy' at our radio show."

Beyond the cheeky photos, Mario has been busy with holiday projects. He has two films airing on Great American Family this season. The Christmas Spark honors firefighters who battled the recent L.A. wildfires, while Chasing Christmas, premiering December 21, features his 12-year-old son Dominic and has Mario as an executive producer.

Looking forward to the season, Mario emphasizes family time above all. "Its all about being together eating, drinking, listening to music, watching movies, and enjoying each other," he says. As a fan of his cultural traditions, he also notes the joy of holiday tamales from his Mexican heritage, while appreciating his wifes Italian cooking.

Despite his busy career, from acting to hosting, Mario says he feels fortunate. "Im healthy, my familys healthy, and I get to do what I love. Thats success to me," he adds. Moments before the photoshoot, he even filmed a TikTok with Gia, celebrating simple family joys.

This holiday season, Mario and his family are embracing festive fun and cherished traditions, balancing work, creativity, and quality time at home. The Christmas Spark is already available, and Chasing Christmas premieres December 21 on Great American Family.

Author: Jackson Miller