Wilmer Valderrama Biography Quotes 6 Report mistakes
| 6 Quotes | |
| Born as | Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama |
| Occup. | Actor |
| From | USA |
| Born | January 30, 1980 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Age | 45 years |
Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama was born on January 30, 1980, in Miami, Florida, to parents of Venezuelan and Colombian heritage. He spent much of his childhood in Venezuela before returning to the United States as a teenager, a bilingual upbringing that would later inform his work and public advocacy. Settling in the Los Angeles area, he attended William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills and began performing in school and local theater, appearing in productions that helped him learn stagecraft and comic timing. Encouraged by teachers and local mentors, he took acting classes and started booking commercials and small roles, laying the groundwork for a professional career just as he approached adulthood.
Breakthrough: That '70s Show
Valderrama's breakthrough came in 1998 when he was cast as Fez on That '70s Show, created by Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, and Mark Brazill. His portrayal of the endearing foreign exchange student became one of the show's signature elements, helping the series run for eight seasons. Working alongside Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, and Danny Masterson, he honed a collaborative ensemble style and learned from veteran directors and writers who shaped the long-running sitcom. The role introduced him to a wide audience, opened doors in both comedy and drama, and established a public persona that he would later expand and complicate through diverse projects.
Hosting and Reality Work
While still closely associated with the sitcom, he broadened his profile by hosting MTV's Yo Momma, a competitive reality series that spotlighted freestyle roasting culture. The show paired him with co-host Sam Sarpong and took him into different communities and cities, emphasizing his comfort with unscripted formats and live audiences. The experience also sharpened his producing instincts and on-camera leadership.
Film and Voice Acting
Valderrama built a varied film resume, including appearances in Party Monster, Fast Food Nation (directed by Richard Linklater), Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, From Prada to Nada, and Unaccompanied Minors. In voice work, he became a familiar presence for younger viewers as Manny Garcia in Disney's Handy Manny, where he recorded in both English and Spanish and helped bring bilingual storytelling to children's television. Years later he returned to Disney as the voice of Agustin Madrigal in Encanto, joining an ensemble with Stephanie Beatriz and John Leguizamo in a film featuring songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Television Beyond Sitcoms
After That '70s Show, he sought roles that demonstrated range. He played the calculating Carlos Madrigal in Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series on the El Rey Network, exploring a darker register. On Grey's Anatomy he had a multi-episode arc as musician Kyle Diaz. In 2016, he joined NCIS as Special Agent Nick Torres, working with Mark Harmon, Sean Murray, Brian Dietzen, Emily Wickersham, Katrina Law, and Gary Cole across seasons and crossovers. The procedural format showcased his action and dramatic chops and made him a central figure in a globally watched franchise.
Producing, Development, and New Ventures
Valderrama established his production banner, WV Entertainment, to champion stories that reflect the breadth of American and Latino experiences. He has produced across television, including projects for MTV, and entered a development relationship with CBS Television Studios to create scripted series. He also launched the interview podcast Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama, highlighting the work of frontline and essential workers. In partnership with Disney Branded Television, he was attached to star in and executive produce a new live-action Zorro series, signaling a move toward legacy character reinterpretation and behind-the-camera leadership.
Philanthropy and Public Engagement
Committed to civic participation and representation, Valderrama has been active with Voto Latino, encouraging voter registration and youth engagement. He co-founded the social impact organization Harness with America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams to connect artists, activists, and communities through storytelling. He has supported USO initiatives and participated in events for military personnel and their families, and he frequently appears at gatherings hosted by Latino advocacy groups and educational nonprofits. These efforts align his entertainment career with a broader mission to amplify underrepresented voices.
Personal Life
Valderrama's personal life has often intersected with public attention. Past relationships with Mandy Moore, Lindsay Lohan, and Demi Lovato were widely covered, and he remained supportive of collaborators and friends navigating the pressures of early fame. In 2020 he announced his engagement to model and adventurer Amanda Pacheco, and the couple welcomed a daughter, Nakano, in 2021. He speaks often about family, heritage, and bilingual identity, reflecting on the move from Venezuela back to the United States and how navigating two cultures shaped his outlook.
Recent Work and Ongoing Presence
He reprised Fez in a guest appearance on That '90s Show, a reunion that placed him alongside longtime colleagues while introducing the character to a new generation. On NCIS he continued to anchor storylines that explore undercover work and team dynamics, and he remained active in animation and family entertainment through voice roles. Across projects, he collaborates with peers such as Eva Longoria and America Ferrera in both creative and advocacy spaces, helping bridge entertainment and community engagement.
Legacy and Impact
From an immigrant childhood to a sustained career in mainstream television, Valderrama has navigated comedy, drama, hosting, voice acting, and producing while keeping close ties to the creative partners who helped shape each phase. His path from ensemble sitcom star to franchise lead and producer mirrors a broader expansion of Latino presence in front of and behind the camera. By maintaining relationships with collaborators like Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Mark Harmon, and America Ferrera, and by investing in development and mentorship, he has positioned himself as both a working actor and a connector, using his platform to advance stories and communities that reflect the complexity of contemporary American life.
Our collection contains 6 quotes who is written by Wilmer, under the main topics: Motivational - Funny - Sarcastic - Movie - Gratitude.
Other people realated to Wilmer: Kurtwood Smith (Actor)