Lopez has also worked as an actor, appearing mostly in films by fellow ex-surfer John Milius. In 1982, he played the character Subotai in the film "Conan the Barbarian" with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Other film appearances include "Big Wednesday" (1978), "North Shore" (1987), and "Farewell to the King" (1989). He has also appeared in numerous surfing documentaries, including "Five Summer Stories" (1973), "Tales From The Tube", "Step Into Liquid" (2003), and "Riding Giants" (2004). Lopez is an ambassador for Patagonia clothing company and has written at least one essay for their catalogs. He also appears frequently in ads and catalogs for Rainbow Sandals, and is a friend of the founder of the company and fellow surfer, Jay Longley.