Mario Lopez and Tony Danza Team Up for a 'Personal' New Christmas Movie (Exclusive)
Mario Lopez and Tony Danza Team Up for a 'Personal' New Christmas Movie (Exclusive)
Staff AuthorTue, April 28, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC
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Tony Danza and Mario Lopez on The Kelly Clarkson ShowCredit: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal -
Tony Danza and Mario Lopez star as father and son in Christmas at The Starlight, premiering on Great American Family
Mario’s 12-year-old son, Dominic Lopez, joins the cast, making the film a multi-generational family project
The movie explores themes of legacy, family traditions, and the importance of preserving cherished memories and places
Two TV icons will be coming together this holiday season.
PEOPLE can exclusively reveal that Mario Lopez and Tony Danza are teaming up for a multi-generational Christmas movie called Christmas at The Starlight, which will premiere on Great American Family later this year. And Mario's son, Dominic Lopez, will be joining them.
The official synopsis for the film reads: "Set in a close-knit American town, Christmas at The Starlight centers on The Starlight, a beloved local supper club and longtime community gathering place where generations have come together to celebrate music, family, and Christmas traditions. Frank (Danza), a legendary song-and-dance man, prepares to sell the family’s beloved restaurant lounge after 40 years. With the future of The Starlight in question, three generations of family are drawn into an emotional journey that reminds them what is worth preserving — and how faith, family, and home can quietly lead us back to where we belong."
Mario, 52, is an executive producer on the film, and he and Dominic, 12, play Frank's son and grandson, respectively.
Dominic Lopez, Gia Lopez, Nico Lopez, Mario Lopez and Courtney Lopez in 2025Credit: Britt and Shayne Benton/The Range Photography
“Working with Tony Danza as my father in this story is incredibly special, and having Dominic play my son makes it even more personal,” the Saved by the Bell alum says in a statement. “Christmas at The Starlight is about family, honoring where you come from, and recognizing the traditions and people that shape your life. ... I’m proud to be part of a movie that celebrates those values in such a heartfelt way.”
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“At its heart, this film is about legacy — the lessons passed from father to son, the traditions that anchor families, and the cherished places where memories become part of who we are," Great American Media president and CEO Bill Abbott said in a statement. "Bringing Mario and Tony together as father and son, with Dominic continuing that lineage on screen, gives this story a rare authenticity and emotional resonance."
Mario, a mainstay in the Christmas cinematic universe, is guest-hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show on Tuesday, April 28, and Danza, 75, will be joining him.
Tony Danza and Mario Lopez on The Kelly Clarkson ShowCredit: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal
In 2025, Mario starred in Great American Family's The Christmas Spark and also executive-produced Chasing Christmas, in which Dominic starred. “He’s very natural, and he works really hard,” Mario told PEOPLE of his son's work. “I’m impressed.”
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Christmas at The Starlight will premiere during the holiday season as part of Great American Christmas across Great American Family, Great American Pure Flix and GFAM+.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
