Want to feel old? Mario Lopez from the 80s sitcom Saved By The Bell is 50-years-old today as he says ‘this journey has been quite a ride’

Mario Lopez turned 50 years old on Tuesday.

On Monday, just hours before his big day, the actor said: ‘This journey has been quite a ride and we’re driving until the wheels fall off… #HeresTo50 #LopezFam.’

It comes after he told Our Weekly last week that he never wants to stop working.

‘I want to keep grinding. The fact that I was a former child actor who was able to make that transition to work as consistently as I have is what I’m most proud of,’ says the actor-turned-TV host.

The artist then said that although he was aware of his age, he still felt as if he could compete with his younger self.

Happy birthday Mario! Mario Lopez turned 50 years old on Tuesday. On Monday, just hours before his big day, the actor said: ‘This journey has been quite a ride and we’re driving until the wheels fall off… #HeresTo50 #LopezFam’; he is seen in May

Looking ahead: This comes after he told Us Weekly last week that he never wants to stop working. ‘I want to keep grinding. The fact that I was a former child actor who was able to make that transition to work as consistently as I have is what I’m most proud of,’ says the actor turned TV host.

‘I feel good. It’s not going to slow me down. It’s one of those birthdays where you’re like, “Wow, that sounds old,” but it’s not,” he said.

The former Saved By The Bell star described 50 as ‘an age where you stop and reflect on how you got here and what the future holds.’

Lopez then humorously shared his supposed secret to maintaining his good looks.

‘I always say that I drink a lot of tequila, and it preserves you. It is like an embalming fluid. And I’m lucky – it keeps you young,’ he said.

The television personality was later asked about the advice he would give to his younger self.

He said: ‘No one has a looking glass to predict the future…when you mess up, you learn and try to become a better individual.’

Lopez went on to discuss the lessons he hoped to pass on to his children about their professional lives.

‘There are no shortcuts. If you work hard, stay focused and do the right thing, the right thing should happen. And if you have a family that supports you, then God is on your side, and you can do anything,’ he said.

Close friends: The artist also spoke about keeping in touch with his former Saved By The Bell costars; the show debuted in 1989

Family man: Lopez, wife Courtney Laine Mazza and children Dominic Lopez and Gia Francesca Lopez attend the premiere of Coco in Los Angeles in 2017

The artist also spoke about keeping in touch with his former Saved By The Bell costars.

‘I see them quite often… It’s nice. It’s like when you run into your old high school friends – you pick up where you left off,’ he said.

The actor concluded by revealing his plans for the future, noting that he introduced himself as ‘the Latin Dick Clark’.

‘I want to be on your TV for the next 30 years. I love it, and I don’t see myself slowing down. I want to keep going until I’m 100,” he said.