1. Early Life
Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama was born on January 30, 1980, in Miami, Florida. His father, Balbino A. Valderrama, is Venezuelan, and his mother, Sobeida Valderrama, is Colombian. His parents operated an agricultural equipment rental company. At the age of three, Valderrama moved to Venezuela and spent his childhood there, also residing in Colombia for a period. He lived in Venezuela until he was 13 years old, when his family relocated back to the United States.
2. Career
Wilmer Valderrama's career spans various facets of the entertainment industry, including acting in television and film, voice work, music, hosting, directing, and production.
2.1. Television and Film
Valderrama began his acting career performing in numerous plays, including notable productions like A Midsummer Night's Dream and Rumors. His professional debut was in a Spanish-language commercial for Pacific Bell. Following a suggestion from his drama teacher, he secured an agent and was cast in the CBS miniseries Four Corners and the Disney Channel series Omba Mokomba. He made his big-screen debut in the 2001 film Summer Catch as Mickey Dominguez.
His breakthrough role came in 1998 when he was cast as Fez in the sitcom That '70s Show, a role he maintained until the show concluded in 2006. He was still a senior in high school when the pilot episode was filmed. In film, he portrayed DJ Keoki in the 2003 movie Party Monster. Other film appearances include Corky in Beauty Shop (2005), Raul in Fast Food Nation (2006), Zach Van Bourke in Unaccompanied Minors (2006), Dell Gordo in Larry Crowne (2011), and Josh in The Adderall Diaries (2015). He also appeared in The Darwin Awards (2006) as a Documentary Filmmaker, Zoom (2006) as Marksman, El Muerto (2007) as Diego de la Muerte / El Muerto, Columbus Day (2008) as Max, and Days of Wrath (2008) as Daniel. Later roles include Raymond Gonzales in The Dry Land (2010), Bruno in From Prada to Nada (2011), Jason in The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best (2011), Flaco in School Dance (2014), Angel in The Girl Is in Trouble (2015), Sam in To Whom It May Concern (2015), Ernesto Andres in Blast Beat (2020), and Jacob Randall in A Sudden Case of Christmas (2024).
In television, Valderrama had guest roles such as Eugenio in Grounded for Life (2002) and Punch in MADtv (2002). He appeared in the Los Angeles Times critic's choice play Blackout in April and May 2003, an adaptation of the film Drunks. On April 4, 2004, he starred in a one-performance-only reading of Sunset Boulevard for the Actors' Fund of America. He filmed the short film La torcedura where he played the lead.
In 2010, he guest-starred as Uncle Ernesto on Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place. From 2011 to 2012, he appeared in three episodes of USA Network's Royal Pains as art dealer Eric Kassabian. He also had recurring roles as Yoni in Suburgatory (2012-2013) and Ricardo Montes in Raising Hope (2012-2013). In 2012, he starred as Detective Efrem Vega in the NBC series Awake for 13 episodes.
From 2014 to 2016, Valderrama played Carlos Madrigal in From Dusk till Dawn: The Series, appearing in 23 episodes. In 2015, he was Will Blake in Minority Report for 10 episodes. In 2016, he had a five-episode arc as Kyle Diaz in Grey's Anatomy and appeared in four episodes of The Ranch as Umberto.
On June 16, 2016, Valderrama joined the cast of NCIS as a series regular, portraying NCIS Special Agent Nicholas Torres from its fourteenth season onward. This role led to crossover appearances on spin-offs NCIS: New Orleans (2017) and NCIS: Hawaiʻi (2022), and NCIS: Los Angeles (2023). In 2020, he appeared as Rob in an episode of Gentefied. In April 2022, it was announced that Valderrama would make a guest appearance as Fez in the follow-up sitcom That '90s Show, appearing in three episodes in 2023. As of December 2021, Valderrama was also set to executive produce and star in an untitled Zorro series for Disney Branded Television.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Summer Catch | Mickey Dominguez | |
| 2003 | Party Monster | DJ Keoki | |
| 2005 | Beauty Shop | Corky | Uncredited |
| 2006 | The Darwin Awards | Documentary Filmmaker | |
| Fast Food Nation | Raul | ||
| Unaccompanied Minors | Zach Van Bourke | ||
| Zoom | Marksman | ||
| 2007 | El Muerto | Diego de la Muerte / El Muerto | |
| Save the Date | |||
| 2008 | Columbus Day | Max | |
| Days of Wrath | Daniel | ||
| 2009 | CHiPs | ||
| 2010 | The Dry Land | Raymond Gonzales | |
| 2011 | From Prada to Nada | Bruno | |
| Larry Crowne | Dell Gordo | ||
| The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best | Jason | ||
| 2014 | School Dance | Flaco | |
| 2015 | The Girl Is in Trouble | Angel | |
| To Whom It May Concern | Sam | ||
| 2016 | The Adderall Diaries | Josh | |
| 2017 | Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated | Himself | Documentary film |
| 2020 | Blast Beat | Ernesto Andres | |
| 2024 | A Sudden Case of Christmas | Jacob Randall | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Four Corners | Antonio | 4 episodes |
| 1998-2006 | That '70s Show | Fez | 200 episodes |
| 2002 | Grounded for Life | Eugenio | Episode: "Mustang Lilly" |
| MADtv | Punch | Episode: "#8.7" | |
| 2006 | The Sopranos | Himself | Episode: "Luxury Lounge" |
| 2007 | That's Our Joe | Almerià | Episode: "Padre De Joe F." |
| 2010 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Uncle Ernesto | Episode: "Uncle Ernesto" |
| 2011-12 | Royal Pains | Eric Kassabian | 3 episodes |
| 2011 | NTSF:SD:SUV:: | Enrique | Episode: "Piper Doesn't Live Here Anymore" |
| 2012-13 | Suburgatory | Yoni | 2 episodes |
| 2012 | Awake | Detective Efrem Vega | 13 episodes |
| Are You There, Chelsea? | Tommy | Episode: "Those Damn Yankees" | |
| 2012-13 | Raising Hope | Ricardo Montes | 4 episodes |
| 2014-16 | From Dusk till Dawn: The Series | Don Carlos Madrigal | 23 episodes |
| 2014 | Matador | Party Guest | Uncredited; Episode: "Quid Go Pro" |
| 2015 | Minority Report | Will Blake | 10 episodes |
| 2016 | Grey's Anatomy | Kyle Diaz | 5 episodes |
| 2016-present | NCIS | Nicholas "Nick" Torres | Series regular (season 14-present) |
| 2016-17 | The Ranch | Umberto | 4 episodes |
| 2017 | NCIS: New Orleans | Nicholas "Nick" Torres | Episode: "Pandora's Box (Part II)" |
| 2022 | NCIS: Hawaiʻi | Nicholas "Nick" Torres | 2 episodes |
| 2023 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Nicholas "Nick" Torres | Crossover: "A Long Time Coming" |
| That '90s Show | Fez | 3 episodes | |
| 2020 | Gentefied | Rob | Episode: "Casimiro" |
2.2. Voice Acting
Valderrama has lent his voice to numerous animated projects. He voiced Rodrigo in Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004) and Tony Valdez in The Condor (2007). His most prominent voice role is Manny Garcia, the main character in the Disney Channel's preschool series Handy Manny, which he voiced for 97 episodes from 2006 to 2013. He also voiced Fez in an episode of Robot Chicken (2005), Nestor in Shorty McShorts' Shorts (2006), Helicopter Pilot Hero in Higglytown Heroes (2006), Diego in The Cleveland Show (2011), and Manny Garcia again in an episode of Special Agent Oso (2012).
In animated films, he voiced Prince Philippe Charming in the 2018 family film Charming, for which he also served as an executive producer. He voiced Thurman "The Thurminator" Sanchez in Trouble (2019), Gaxton in the 2020 Disney/Pixar animated feature film Onward, and Agustín Madrigal in the 2021 Disney animated film Encanto. He is also set to voice Pablo in the upcoming series Rhona Who Lives by the River.
2.3. Music Career
Valderrama has explored a music career, releasing his own singles and appearing in and producing music videos for other artists. On May 11, 2011, he released the song "The Way I Fiesta" under his alter ego, Eduardo Fresco. The music video for this song was directed by Akiva Schaffer of The Lonely Island, and featured a cameo appearance by Danny Masterson, his former co-star from That '70s Show.
Valderrama has expressed his intention to release more music in both Spanish and English, working with various artists and producers. In 2012, he stated he was recording tracks and hoped to release more music in 2013. In March 2014, he revealed that a "Salud Part 2" was in the works and that new music would be released towards the end of summer 2014. He also made a guest appearance on the song "Salud" by SkyBlu, Sensato, and Reek Rude in 2013.
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "The Way I Fiesta" (feat. Clayton Vice) | - |
| Year | Title | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Salud | SkyBlu, Sensato, Reek Rude | Rebel Music |
2.3.1. Music Video Appearances
| Year | Title | Artist(s) | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Ever the Same" | Matchbox Twenty | Phil Harder |
| 2006 | "Easy" | Paula DeAnda, Bow Wow | Billie Woodruff |
| 2009 | "Tu No Eres Para Mi" | Fanny Lu | Fanny Lu |
| 2010 | "Imagínate" | Wisin & Yandel, T-Pain | Jessy Terrero |
| 2011 | "Sexy and I Know It" | LMFAO | Mickey Finnegan |
| 2014 | "Really Don't Care" | Demi Lovato, Cher Lloyd | Ryan Pallotta |
| "L.A. Love (La La)" | Fergie, YG | Rich Lee | |
| "Pura Vida" | Don Omar | Jessy Terrero | |
| "Nightingale" | Demi Lovato | Black Coffee | |
| 2017 | "Felices los 4" | Maluma | Jessy Terrero |
| "Felices los 4 (Salsa Version)" | Maluma, Marc Anthony | Jessy Terrero | |
| 2020 | "Holy" | Justin Bieber | Colin Tilley |
2.4. Hosting and Other Broadcast Appearances
Beyond his acting roles, Valderrama has a notable presence as a television host and personality. He produced and hosted the MTV series Yo Momma from 2006 to 2007, appearing in 64 episodes. He made three appearances on Punk'd, a show hosted by his former That '70s Show co-star Ashton Kutcher.
In 2012, Valderrama co-hosted Premios Juventud as a superhero. He was also featured in an episode of Celebrity IOU in 2022, showcasing a surprise garage renovation.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Punk'd | Himself | 3 episodes |
| 2006-07 | Yo Momma | Host | 64 episodes; also creator and executive producer |
| 2010 | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition | Himself | Episode: "The Williams Family" |
| 2011 | Figgle Chat with Fred Figglehorn | Eduardo Fresco | Episode: "FRED Interviews Eduardo Fresco" |
| 2012 | Minuto Para Ganar | Himself | Contestant |
| 2013 | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 5) | Himself | Episode: "Drama Queens" |
| 2016 | Lip Sync Battle | Himself | Episode: "Gina Rodriguez vs. Wilmer Valderrama" |
| 2017 | The Price Is Right | Himself | Episode: "Celebrity Charity Week - Day 2" |
| 2018 | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | Bird | Episode: "Crisis in Venezuela" |
| 2022 | Celebrity IOU | Himself | S3E07, "Wilmer Valderrama's Surprise Garage Reno", aired on December 26, 2022 |
2.5. Directing and Production
Valderrama has also worked behind the camera as a director and producer. He is the founder of his own production company, WV Entertainment. As a producer, he was the creator and executive producer of the MTV series Yo Momma. He also served as an executive producer for the animated film Charming (2018) and is set to executive produce an untitled Zorro series for Disney Branded Television.
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Imagination Movers | Episode: "Mouse Day" |
| 2013 | Salud - SkyBlu feat. Sensato, Reek Rude & Wilmer Valderrama | Music Video |
3. Activism and Philanthropy
Wilmer Valderrama is deeply committed to social causes, focusing on supporting military personnel, advocating for marginalized communities, and promoting civic engagement.
Since 2007, Valderrama has been actively involved with the United Service Organizations (USO), participating in multiple tours to support military personnel. He has traveled more than 46 times, making hosting appearances in various locations, including Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, as well as Iraq, Germany, Poland, South Korea, and Bahrain. In 2021, his dedication was recognized when he was named a USO Global Ambassador, alongside singer Kellie Pickler.
In 2017, Valderrama co-founded Harness, a non-profit organization, with America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams. The organization's stated goal is to improve representation and equity for historically marginalized communities. One of Harness's initiatives, the "Be Counted" campaign, specifically encourages the Latino community to complete and return their U.S. census forms, emphasizing the importance of accurate demographic representation.
Valderrama has also worked with Voto Latino, a voting rights non-profit, since its formation in 2004. This organization focuses on promoting increased voter participation and conducts voter registration drives, particularly at cultural events, to engage the Latino community in the democratic process. Valderrama currently serves on Voto Latino's impact council.
Between 2009 and 2012, he served as the spokesperson for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's "Ready to Lead" program, further demonstrating his commitment to civic responsibility and leadership development within the Hispanic community.
In July 2021, Valderrama launched Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama, an iHeartRadio podcast. This podcast highlights the experiences and struggles of key workers, amplifying their stories and advocating for their recognition and support.
4. Personal Life
Wilmer Valderrama has had several high-profile relationships. He dated Mandy Moore when she was 16 or 17 years old. Valderrama later publicly claimed that Moore had lost her virginity to him, a claim which Moore denied. In 2004, he dated Lindsay Lohan; at the time, Lohan was 18 and Valderrama was 24. From 2010 to 2016, he was in an on-and-off relationship with Demi Lovato. They met when Lovato was 17 and Valderrama was 29, though they did not begin dating until Lovato turned 18. In 2022, Lovato released the song "29", which was widely interpreted as a condemnation of Valderrama due to their age difference at the time, though Lovato stated, "I feel like the song says it all" without directly confirming the inspiration.
In January 2020, Valderrama became engaged to Amanda Pacheco, who is eleven years his junior. In December 2020, the couple announced they were expecting their first child. Their daughter was born on February 15, 2021. They named her Nakano Oceana Valderrama, with "Nakano" being inspired by Nakano Takeko, a female Japanese warrior, following a trip to Japan where Valderrama and Pacheco first confessed their love for each other. In February 2025, Valderrama and Pacheco announced they are expecting their second child.
Valderrama is also a car collector. He owns the original 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser station wagon that was used in That '70s Show, which he purchased for 500 USD when he learned the show was ending production.
5. Awards and Recognition
Wilmer Valderrama has received several awards and nominations throughout his career for both his acting and his social activism.
- 2003, 2005, 2006:** Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Sidekick (Won)
- 2013:** ALMA Award for Outstanding Social Activism (Won)
- 2019:** Imagen Foundation Award for Best Supporting Actor - Television (Won)
- 2022:** NHMC Impact Awards Gala - Trailblazer Impact Award (Won)
- 2002, 2004:** Nominated - Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Sidekick
- 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006:** Nominated - ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
- 1999:** Nominated - Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series by a Young Ensemble