Wilmer Valderrama

**Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama** (Spanish: [baldeˈrama]; born January 30, 1980) is an American actor, producer and television personality. He is known for his role as Fez in the sitcom *That '70s Show* (1998–2006), Agustín Madrigal in *Encanto*, the voice of Manny in the children's show *Handy Manny* (2006–2013). He is currently part of the main cast of *NCIS*, portraying Special Agent Nick Torres. He will reprise his role as Fez in the upcoming series, *That '90s Show* as a special guest star.

## Early life

Valderrama was born in 1980 in Miami, Florida, to Balbino A. and Sobeida Valderrama. His father is Venezuelan and his mother is Colombian.

## Career

### Acting

Valderrama played Fez on *That '70s Show* from 1998 to 2006; he was a senior in high school when the pilot episode was filmed. On April 30, 2022, it was announced that Valderrama would have a guest appearance in the follow-up sitcom, *That '90s Show*.

### Music career

On May 11, 2011, Valderrama released the song "The Way I Fiesta," which he performed as his alter ego, Eduardo Fresco. The video was directed by Akiva Schaffer from the group The Lonely Island. Danny Masterson, Valderrama's co-star from *That '70s Show*, has a cameo appearance in the video. Valderrama appeared in the 2009 music video for Wisin & Yandel's song "Imagínate". He also appeared in and produced the 2011 video for LMFAO's song "Sexy and I Know It." At the Billboard Latin Music Awards, he said that he is making music which he will release in Spanish and English. On July 27, 2012, he interviewed Latina and said that he is recording tracks and is working with great artists/producers from both the English and the Spanish side. He said he was hoping to release more music in 2013. On March 10, 2014, Valderrama revealed that a *Salud Part 2* is in the works and that he has his music coming out towards the end of the summer of 2014.

## Activism and philanthropy

### USO

Since 2007, Valderrama has taken part in multiple tours on behalf of the United Service Organizations. He has traveled more than 46 times and made hosting appearances in locations including Bagram air base in Afghanistan, as well as Iraq, Germany, Poland, South Korea, and Bahrain. In 2021, Valderrama was named a USO Global Ambassador along with singer Kellie Pickler.

### Harness

In 2017, Valderrama co-founded Harness with America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams, with the stated goal of improving representation in historically marginalized communities. The non-profit's Be Counted campaign encourages the Latino community to complete and return U.S. census forms.

### Voto Latino

Valderrama has worked with the voting rights non-profit Voto Latino since the organization was formed in 2004. The organization promotes increased voter participation and conducts voter registration drives at cultural events. Valderrama currently serves on the organization's impact council.

### Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

Between 2009 and 2012, Valderrama served as the spokesperson for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's Ready to Lead program.

### *Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama*

In July 2021, Valderrama launched *Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama*, an iHeartRadio podcast highlighting the experiences of essential workers.

## Personal life

Valderrama dated actress Lindsay Lohan in 2004 and Demi Lovato from 2010 to 2016. He also dated Mandy Moore and Ashlee Simpson. In January 2020, Valderrama got engaged to Amanda Pacheco. In December 2020, Valderrama announced that he and Pacheco were expecting their first child. Their daughter was born on February 15, 2021.

Valderrama is a car collector. He has retained the original model 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser used in *That '70s Show*, purchased for $500 upon learning that the show was going to cease production.