As George Lopez Quits Comedy, Here’s A Brief History of Him Being Terrible
Comedian George Lopez announced this week that he’s quitting stand-up comedy — but don’t expect a lot of tears in the comedy clubs this week. His career is dotted with troubled gigs and comedian fights, on top of personal scandals that paint an ugly portrait of the Lopez vs. Lopez star.
As he heads for the exit door, here’s a brief history of Lopez being terrible…
He Ditched a Sold-Out Audience in the Middle of a Show
Earlier this year, Lopez made headlines when he warned a sold-out audience not to shout out during his routine. The raucous crowd laughed, with one woman offering to buy Lopez a drink. The comedian put his microphone back on the stand and walked out mid-show.
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Lopez blamed the club for lax security. But the casino released video of the “unruly” crowd — basically Lopez fans laughing and shouting, “We love you!” — and issued full refunds and an apology: “Tonight, George Lopez let down his fans.”
He Threw Carlos Mencia Against a Wall Over a Remote-Control Joke
Lopez isn’t the only comic to accuse Mencia of joke theft, but he likely had the most violent response. When Joe Rogen confronted Mencia about the same thing, he asked, “George Lopez didn’t grab you by your fucking neck and slam you up against the Laugh Factory wall for ripping off his shit in your HBO special?”
Mencia agreed that Lopez did just that — physical assault over a TV remote joke that Mencia claims he performed a decade before Lopez began his comedy career.
He Faced Assault Charges After Getting into a Fight at Hooters
A Hooters patron filmed Lopez while they were both enjoying some of those world-famous hot wings. But did the unwanted video match the response?
According to the El Paso Times, the man filmed the comedian as he walked by. “Here comes my boy George... Jorge Lopez.” Lopez responded by trying to grab the man by the neck while snatching his phone. Police charged Lopez with battery, despite him claiming he was baited into the confrontation.
He Berated a Woman Who Didn’t Like His Racist Joke
Lopez hit a comedy crowd with this zinger: “There are only two rules in the Latino family — don’t marry somebody Black, and don’t park in front of our house.”
Most of the audience laughed, but one stone-faced woman in the front row took offense and gave Lopez the finger, according to The Independent. TMZ later released the video of Lopez’s furious response: “Sit your fucking ass down! I’m talking, bitch. You paid to see a show, sit your ass down. You can’t take a joke, you’re in the wrong motherfucking place. Sit your ass down, or get the fuck out of here.”
Turns out she didn’t have a choice — Lopez had security remove her from the show. “I tell you what, I’ll make the choice for you. Get the fuck out of here.”
His Wife Gave Lopez Her Kidney, and Then He Cheated on Her
Lopez had a secret code to alert him when his wife was going to attend one of his shows, necessary because he also had other women backstage most nights. His wife eventually found out about the cheating with groupies and sex workers — the same wife who donated her kidney to save Lopez’s life.
Now he brags about it on podcasts.