Being married to a Hollywood star can be difficult, but some couples make it work.
Ann Serrano gave everything for her famous husband — even one of her organs — but ended up being betrayed.
Ann Serrano might not be a name you immediately recognize, but she deserves to be known for more than just being “the wife of a celebrity.” Ann has built a career as both an actress and a producer. Some people may know her from *Arrested Development*, and she even appeared in an episode of *Curb Your Enthusiasm*.
Beyond her career, Ann is a devoted mom to a daughter she shares with a famous and groundbreaking actor. The couple met during a casting for a movie, which was Ann’s first casting job. They connected and got married in September 1993. Three years later, they welcomed a beautiful daughter, Mayan.
For a long time, their high-profile marriage seemed strong, but everything changed in the early 2000s when her famous husband got devastating news.
Doctors told him that his kidneys were failing because of a genetic condition, and he needed a transplant to survive. The surgery was urgent, but he delayed it for a year because he feared the media would find out. He didn’t want their 9-year-old daughter to read about his illness in the tabloids.
Even though he was a public figure, he managed to keep the illness a secret for some time. But soon, it became clear that he needed help. That’s when Ann offered something incredible — her own kidney.
For Ann, the choice was simple, as she said in an interview.
“It’s amazing to help another human being like this. You’re giving the gift of life,” she said.
The surgery was a success, and the famous actor was lucky that his body accepted the new organ. On top of that, he lost 45 pounds as his health got better. Thanks to Ann’s generosity, they looked forward to many more happy years together. But things didn’t turn out that way.
So, who was this man? None other than George Lopez, best known for starring in *The George Lopez Show*. Today, he is one of the most loved comedians, and in 2005, *Time* magazine named him one of “The Top 25 Hispanics in America.”
Abandoned by his parents
Born in 1961 in Los Angeles to a Mexican migrant worker, George Lopez had a tough start in life. His father left him when he was just two months old, and his mother left when he was 10. George was raised by his grandmother after that.
As a shy and introverted child, George spent much of his time daydreaming. No one could have guessed he would become a Hollywood star, but George turned his tough upbringing into comedy, using his pain to create jokes that connected with people everywhere.
“I started to find my comedic voice in the early ’90s, and it revolved around my grandmother as a sort of muse,” George once shared.
“She was really something. No car could go from zero to 60 as fast as my grandmother could go from calm to upset.”
**Discovered by Sandra Bullock**
It wasn’t long before Sandra Bullock noticed George, frustrated by the lack of Hispanic representation on TV.
ABC agreed, and in 2002, George became one of the few Latinos to star in a sitcom. The show was a huge success, with nearly 10 million viewers watching during its first season. George was the co-creator, writer, producer, and star.
Despite the success of *The George Lopez Show*, it was canceled in 2007, and George wasn’t pleased. He famously told the *Los Angeles Times*, “TV just became really, really white again.”
Professionally, it was a big setback, but at that time, George had just survived a life-threatening health issue.
**Secret surgery**
On April 19, 2005, George was taken into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center under the fake name “Tom Ace,” unsure if he would survive the surgery.
Thanks to Ann’s selfless act, he made it through.
Both George and Ann had surgery in side-by-side rooms, and the next day, their daughter visited them in the hospital. Ann said she didn’t feel any different with just one kidney.
Unfortunately, it all came crashing down, and this time, it was very public.
Ann discovered the heartbreaking truth by reading it in a tabloid. In that moment, she realized the man she had loved and supported was living a double life.
“It was a pretty devastating way to find out,” Ann shared on *TheHourGlass Podcast* in 2024.
This was something Ann couldn’t tolerate, and she made the painful choice to file for divorce. Unsurprisingly, their daughter Mayan stood by her mother’s side, offering support through the heartache.
Years later, Mayan shared more about her parents’ relationship on TikTok, even asking them directly why they divorced. Ann replied, “Your dad didn’t realize you have to stop dating other people when you get married.”
A year later, Mayan, who is also pursuing an acting career, posted another video with the caption, “He cheated. She divorced him. We kept almost everything.”
**Went into therapy**
George has been more reserved about the details but expressed regret for the pain he caused, especially to his daughter. The two didn’t speak for years.
Eventually, George went to therapy with her to work through their issues, admitting it was “awkward” but necessary.
“You have to be responsible for the trauma that you’ve caused,” George said. “For the first time in my life I said, ‘Yeah, I’m responsible for this, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life repairing it.’”
“To be a father is a very special thing,” George told *ET*. He continued, “To be estranged from your child is the worst thing ever, and for the first time in my life, I owned up to my mistakes. I’m lucky Mayan took me back into her life, and a little bit of the show is about that.”
Father and daughter eventually healed their relationship, and it led to something truly special. Not only did they reconcile, but they also turned their struggles into art. Now, they co-star in the NBC comedy *Lopez vs. Lopez*, a show loosely based on their journey of fixing a complicated relationship.
Remarkably, despite everything, Ann and George maintain a good relationship. In fact, years later, Mayan asked them if they still loved each other, and both admitted they did. Ann even called George her “husband and friend,” while George simply said, “I love Ann.”
Nick Nolte: Still Charming and Gorgeous at 82
On February 8, 2023, legendary actor Nick Nolte will turn 82. Nolte has won over audiences with his outstanding performances on stage and screen since his humble beginnings in Omaha, Nebraska. Despite possibly aging since his heartthrob days in the 1970s, he is still as endearing and attractive as ever.
The TV miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man (1976), in which Nolte made his breakthrough as “Tom/Tommy Jordache,” was the catalyst for the rest of his career. His extraordinary capacity to assume different personas contributed to his meteoric rise to fame in Hollywood, not just his good looks. Without a doubt, he is one of the most adaptable actors we are aware of.
Nolte has won numerous honors over the course of his illustrious career, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama in 1991. His outstanding performances in movies like The Prince of Tides, Affliction, and Warrior also earned him nominations for Academy Awards.
Nolte was hailed as the ideal American hero during the 1970s, and People magazine even named him the Sexiest Man Alive. Nolte was able to perfectly embody the essence of a young man weighing around 150 pounds in his role as Tommy Jordache.
In 1992, when he co-starred with Eddie Murphy in the ground-breaking action comedy 48 Hours, Nolte’s career experienced a meteoric rise. It was the first time black and white characters had to criticize one another on screen, and the movie not only showed off their amazing chemistry but also tackled significant societal issues. In his post-Civil Rights era analysis of the movie, Nolte recognized the importance of the movie.
There have been ups and downs in Nick Nolte’s personal life. Currently wed to Clytie Lane after three divorces, he has had three wives. Nolte’s talents have occasionally been overshadowed over the years by his wild behavior, as evidenced by his popular 2002 mug shot. He has struggled and been taken into custody multiple times.
However, Nolte found comfort and grit in his pursuit of sobriety. He has been able to maintain his sobriety for a long time after seeking professional assistance. Nolte freely acknowledges that she has turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism for a variety of problems, including failed relationships, failed projects, and the isolation and loneliness that frequently come with celebrity status.
Brawley Nolte and Sophia Lane Nolte, both actors, are Nolte’s proud children. Sophia had the chance to collaborate with her father on the movie Honey in the Head, in which she played his granddaughter. When talking about his kids, Nolte emphasizes his special relationship with Sophia and his son’s desire to become a doctor.
Nick Nolte, 82, has undoubtedly aged and his appearance has changed. Nevertheless, his endearing charisma and undeniable attractiveness remain. Nolte sees getting older as just another great adventure, accepting it with grace. He cherishes the chance to keep moving forward and pursuing new experiences and believes in fighting all the way to the end.
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