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Mario Lopez Hosts 2009 Miss America Pageant

Actor and TV personality Mario Lopez hosted the Miss America Pageant last night as Miss Indiana Katie Stam became the new Miss America for 2009 (Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com).

Lopez is a pro when it comes to hosting beauty pageants.  He hosted Miss Teen USA three times and Miss America in 2007 and 2009, giving him the distinction of being the only person to host shows for both major pageant organizations.

Between pageants, Lopez keeps busy by hosting the nationally syndicated EXTRA show, as well as MTV’s highest rated program, America’s Best Dance Crew. Fans of Nip/Tuck can look forward to seeing him reprise his role as Dr. Mike Hamoui this year.

A fitness buff, Lopez does regular commentary for HBO Boxing.  He even wrote his own fitness book, Mario Lopez’s Knockout Fitness.

The Miss America telecast is the fourth longest-running live event in television history. Bert Parks, the original host of the Miss America telecast, served in that role for 25 years. Others who have hosted or co-hosted the show include Ron Ely, Gary Collins and Phyllis George, Regis Philbin, Kathie Lee Gifford, Eva La Rue Callahan and John Callahan, Boomer Esiason and Meredith Vieira, Donnie and Marie Osmond, Tony Danza, Wayne Brady, Tom Bergeron, Chris Harrison, James Denton, and Mark Steines.

 Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

 Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

 Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com