A well-known comedian and actor was married for almost 20 years. His wife was devoted and even made a life-changing sacrifice for him, only for her to face betrayal later on.
Like him, the celebrity’s now-former spouse also found her place in the entertainment world, a space where they met. The couple exchanged vows in September 1993 and, three years later, celebrated the arrival of their only child in April 1996.
The pair’s marriage was far from smooth sailing, as there were numerous personal struggles and moments of heartache. In a candid interview, the actor acknowledged that he was far from perfect during his marriage to the actress.
He battled alcohol addiction and openly confessed, “In my private life, I’m not perfect. I never have been. I’ve talked about it for years.”
He also reflected on his personal growth, stating that the version of himself who once spent time on the casino floor would soon evolve into someone focused on building a better life. He believed this transformation was the best way to care for himself without causing pain to those who cared about him.
In addition to his struggles with addiction, the family man also faced a serious health issue that required life-changing surgery. He discovered he had kidney disease, a condition he believed might have been preventable during his childhood.
In a July 2011 interview, he explained that he was born with narrow ureters, which made it difficult for him to drain properly and caused frequent bed-wetting as a child.
However, instead of seeking medical help, his grandmother restricted his water intake, unaware of the underlying defect. By 18, he developed hypertension, and his health continued to decline from that point onward.
“Kidney disease is not painful; I mean it is painful because it shows up in fatigue. So, you’re always tired. It misled me to think that I was tired because I was working so hard when really my kidneys were shutting down,” the movie star divulged.
The Los Angeles native’s health struggles intensified over time when he developed a congenital disorder that led to kidney failure, eventually making a kidney transplant necessary.
His then-wife made a profound decision and offered to donate one of her kidneys to save his life. When speaking on her heartfelt choice, she said, “It’s amazing to be able to help another human being in this way. You’re giving the gift of life.”
Meanwhile, her then-husband shared, “I think it was a miracle that my wife’s kidney could be used. Now I value each day because I don’t know how long this organ will hold out.”
The comedian used a pseudonym when he arrived at the hospital for privacy under the guise of a “Tom Ace” alias. The evening after the surgery, their daughter visited them at the hospital but could only see her mother instead.
After the operation, his wife, who is also a producer, revealed that having one kidney didn’t make her feel any different. People can live with just one kidney because each typically operates at 50 percent. If one is removed, the remaining kidney adjusts to function at full capacity.
Following the procedure, her then-husband felt better than ever and recovered steadily. Once his body showed no signs of rejecting the kidney, the family knew the surgery had been a success. Just three weeks later, he was even back to enjoying his favorite game, golf.
The actor at the Kennedy Center for the 6th Annual Mark Twain Prize on May 2, 2001, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
The actor at the Kennedy Center for the 6th Annual Mark Twain Prize on May 2, 2001, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
His daughter expressed gratitude to her mother in an Instagram post, sharing a throwback family photo. “12 years ago, my mom gave my father a kidney and I could not be more grateful for her gift and bravery. She is the most amazing woman I know and I will never be able to thank her enough,” she penned.
Their daughter, also an actress, added that her mother had given her the priceless gift of a healthy father during her childhood, which she considered the greatest gift anyone could give.
Despite Ann Serrano’s selfless act to George Lopez, he was unfaithful to her. In an interview, Ann revealed that the “Lopez vs Lopez” star began acting out six years into their marriage.
At that time, their daughter, Mayan Lopez, was just three years old, and Ann was determined for her to have her father in her life. After reevaluating their relationship, the couple decided to pursue therapy together, with George also committing to individual counseling. Ann noted that he took it “very seriously and became a better man.”
She warned him that if it happened again, their marriage would be over. Sadly, history did repeat itself, and this time it was very public, as she discovered his infidelity through the tabloids.
“It was a pretty devastating way to find out. Your husband is leading a double life, basically. So, I just made the decision that that was just not something I could tolerate. And I decided to divorce him,” Ann disclosed.
Her ex-husband openly discussed their split in another interview, acknowledging the criticism he faced after their divorce.
He admitted that he deserved the backlash, especially considering Ann had given him the “gift of life” by donating her kidney.
When asked if she had ever mentioned wanting her kidney back, George confirmed that it had come up during their rocky period as a couple. He also reflected on his upbringing, noting that he lacked the required tools to be a supportive partner.
The couple separated in November 2010 after 17 years of marriage, finalizing their divorce in July 2011. The separation was reportedly free of drama.
In a joint statement, they described the decision as mutual and amicable, emphasizing their ongoing commitment as parents, business partners, and co-founders of the Lopez Foundation.
At 15, their daughter was deeply affected by the divorce. In a November 2022 interview, she opened up about the impact of the split, stating that it was challenging enough as a teenager, but “having it be so public made it a whole other dynamic that makes it so much more difficult.”
She added, “You read these headlines, and people sometimes forget that there’s a family behind those headlines.” Reflecting on the aftermath, she shared, “It’s been like 11 years since my parents have been divorced… I think the longest I didn’t speak to my dad was almost three-and-a-half years because it was just painful. I think time was really the biggest healer.”
In a TikTok video featuring both parents several years later, Mayan boldly questioned who was responsible for ending their marriage. Her mother jokingly pointed at her father and said, “Your dad didn’t realize that you had to stop dating when you got married. You have to stop dating other people when you [get] married.”
Mayan also questioned her parents about whether they still loved each other. Her mother responded, “Yeah, I love you,” while glancing at George. She admitted, “He’s the father of my child, he’s my husband, and he’s my friend,” as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Despite their painful past, Ann and George Lopez maintain a strong bond as they co-parent and support one another. Their story is a testament to resilience, forgiveness, and the enduring power of family love.
Source: Amomama
