Mark-Paul Gosselaar Engaged

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, August 11, 2011

Former “Saved by the Bell” star Mark-Paul Gosselaar has announced his engagement to Catriona McGinn on Thursday. Gosselaar proposed to advertising executive McGinn with a custom-made five carat diamond ring by Neil Lane, friend of the 37-year-old actor.

“Mark wanted to give Catriona her dream ring; he couldn’t wait to propose… He was so excited to have found the woman of his dreams,” Lane told E! News.

“He was delightful to work with, it’s always a treat to work with a true romantic,” continued the jeweler.

About McGinn’s reaction, he said “She was thrilled with her ring.”

The nuptials were announced less than three months after his divorce from Lisa Ann Russell, whom he was married to for 14 years. They share two children, 6-year-old Michael and 4-year-old Ava.

While at Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR Block Party in New York City Saturday, Gosselaar told Us Magazine, “She’s absolutely gorgeous, she’s stunning, and she takes my breath away,” of his new bride-to-be. “Catriona’s great with my kids. My kids absolutely adore her.”

Gosselaar currently stars in “Franklin & Bash” on TNT. A wedding date has not yet been announced.

Widely recognized as Zack Morris from the television show “Saved by the Bell,” Gosselaar also starred in shows “NYPD Blue” as Detective John Clark, and “Raising the Bar” as Jerry Kellerman.

“Saved by the Bell” aired on NBC from 1989 to 1993, and led to the less-successful sequel series, “Saved by the Bell: The College Years.”

The “Saved by the Bell” cast included Mario Lopez, Tiffani Thiessen, and Elizabeth Barkley, all of whom remain close friends of Gosselaar’s.

Along with acting, Gosselaar is also a sports car fan, a track cyclist, race car driver, and pilot. In 2005, the actor won the Category 4/5 Sprint Championship event at a track cycling competition in Los Angeles.