Wilmer Valderrama
| Wilmer Valderrama | |
|---|---|
 Wilmer Valderrama at opening of Marquee Nightclub in Sydney | |
| Born |
Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama January 30, 1980 Miami, Florida, United States |
| Other names | Eduardo Fresco |
| Occupation | Actor, singer, producer |
| Years active | 1998–present |
Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama (/vɑːldəˈrɑːmə/; Spanish: [baldeˈrama]; born January 30, 1980)[1] is an American actor, singer, producer and television personality, best known for the role of Fez in the sitcom That '70s Show (1998–2006) and Carlos Madrigal in American horror television series From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series (2014–). He was also host of the MTV series Yo Momma (2006–2007), voiced the character of Manny in the children's show Handy Manny (2006–2012) and had recurring roles on Grey's Anatomy, The Ranch and NCIS in 2016.
Valderrama has further performed in several prominent feature films, including Party Monster (2003), Beauty Shop (2005), Fast Food Nation (2006), Unaccompanied Minors (2006), Zoom (2006), Larry Crowne (2011) and The Adderall Diaries (2015). He is set to voice the character of Prince Charming in the upcoming family animated film Charming (2017).[2]
Early life
Valderrama was born in Miami, Florida,[3] the son of Sobeida and Balbino A. Valderrama, who owned a farm equipment rental company. When he was 3, they moved to Venezuela and then later moved back to the United States.[1] He is of Colombian and Venezuelan descent.[4]
Career
Television and film career
Valderrama got his start performing in numerous plays, including A Midsummer Night's Dream and Rumors. He made his professional debut in a Spanish-language Pacific Bell commercial. At his drama teacher's suggestion, he got an agent and was immediately cast in the CBS miniseries Four Corners and in Omba Mokomba on the Disney Channel. He made his big screen debut starring opposite Freddie Prinze Jr., Brittany Murphy, Matthew Lillard and Jessica Biel in the Warner Brothers film Summer Catch.
Valderrama played Fez on That '70s Show from 1998–2006; he was a senior in high school when the pilot episode was filmed. He also played DJ Keoki in the 2003 film Party Monster alongside Macaulay Culkin, Chloë Sevigny, Wilson Cruz and Seth Green. He produced and hosted the MTV series Yo Momma from 2006 to 2007, and appeared "involuntarily" as many as three times on another MTV mainstay, Punk'd, hosted by fellow That '70s Show alumnus Ashton Kutcher.
In April and May 2003, Valderrama appeared in the Los Angeles Times critic's choice play Blackout, an adaptation of the feature film Drunks,[5] and on April 4, 2004, starred opposite Anjelica Huston and Ben Kingsley in the Actors' Fund of America one-performance only reading of Sunset Boulevard.[6] He filmed the short film La torcedura in which he played the lead, and appeared in The Darwin Awards, an independent film directed by Finn Taylor, starring Winona Ryder and Joseph Fiennes.
In animation work, Valderrama voiced Rodrigo in Clifford's Really Big Movie, playing alongside John Ritter, Wayne Brady and Jenna Elfman. He also voices the main character, Manny, in Disney Channel's Handy Manny series for preschoolers (He even starred in a minisode featuring his acting counterpart).[7] He had a starring role in El Muerto, an indie film directed by Brian Cox and based on the successful comic book created by Javier Hernandez. In January 2007, Valderrama launched his own men's fashion label called "Calavena".[8]
In 2010, Valderrama guest-starred on Disney Channel's series Wizards of Waverly Place playing the role of Theresa Russo's brother, Ernesto. In 2011, he appeared in three episodes of USA Network's Royal Pains as Eric Kassabian, an art dealer.
In 2012, Valderrama co-hosted Premios Juventud as a superhero on July 19, 2012. In August 2012, he appeared alongside Vanessa Curry and Leighton Meester in house music group Nomads' music video of "Addicted to Love".[9]
On September 27, 2013, Valderrama won an ALMA Award for Outstanding Social Activism.[10] By late November 2013, Valderrama had joined the cast of From Dusk till Dawn: The Series.[11]
On June 16, 2016, it was announced that Valderrama is set to join NCIS in its fourteenth season. He will be a series regular.[12]
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 had an interview with 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,[13][14] yet nothing was released. On March 10, 2014, Valderrama revealed that a Salud Part 2 is in the works and that he has his own music coming out towards the end of the summer of 2014.[15]
Valderrama states music as his first passion on DJ Vice's Electric Taco.[3]
Other work
Valderrama made a cameo appearance in Omar Cruz's To The Top featuring Frankie J. He also worked with Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel on their video for "Imagínate" featuring the rapper T-Pain, as well as on Colombian singer Fanny Lú's video "Tu No Eres Para Mi", where he portrayed her boyfriend. Valderrama appeared on Shane Dawson's YouTube channel on September 1, 2012.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Summer Catch | Mickey Dominguez | |
| 2003 | Party Monster | DJ Keoki | |
| 2004 | Clifford's Really Big Movie | Rodrigo (voice) | |
| 2005 | Beauty Shop | Corky (uncredited) | |
| 2006 | The Darwin Awards | Documentary Filmmaker | |
| 2006 | Fast Food Nation | Raul | Nominated – Imagen Foundation Award for Best Actor in a Film |
| 2006 | Unaccompanied Minors | Zach Van Bourke | |
| 2006 | Zoom | Marksman | |
| 2007 | El Muerto | Diego de la Muerte / El Muerto | |
| 2007 | The Condor | Tony Valdez (voice) | |
| 2008 | Columbus Day | Max | |
| 2008 | Days of Wrath | Daniel | |
| 2010 | The Dry Land | Raymond Gonzales | |
| 2011 | From Prada to Nada | Bruno | Nominated – Imagen Foundation Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Film |
| 2011 | Larry Crowne | Dell Gordo | |
| 2011 | The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best | Jason | |
| 2014 | School Dance | Flaco | |
| 2015 | The Girl Is in Trouble | Angel | |
| 2016 | The Adderall Diaries | Josh | |
| 2017 | To Whom It May Concern | Sam | Completed |
| 2017 | Charming | Prince Charming (voice) | Post-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Four Corners | Antonio | 4 episodes |
| 1998–2006 | That '70s Show | Fez | Series Regular; 200 episodes Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Sidekick (2006) Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Sidekick (2005) Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Sidekick (2003) Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Sidekick (2002, 2004) Nominated – ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006) Nominated – Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series by a Young Ensemble (1999) |
| 2002 | Grounded for Life | Eugenio | Episode: "Mustang Lilly" |
| 2002 | MADtv | Punch | Episode: "8.7" |
| 2003 | Punk'd | Himself | 3 episodes |
| 2004 | Higglytown Heroes | Helicopter Pilot Hero (voice) | Episode: "Higgly Islands" |
| 2005 | Robot Chicken | Fez (voice) | Episode: "Gold Dust Gasoline" |
| 2006–07 | Yo Momma | Host | Creator & executive producer; 64 episodes |
| 2006 | The Sopranos | Himself | Episode: "Luxury Lounge" |
| 2006 | Shorty McShorts' Shorts | Nestor | Episode: "Dudley and Nestor Do Nothing" |
| 2006–12 | Handy Manny | Manny (voice) | Lead Role; 113 episodes |
| 2007 | That's Our Joe | Almerià | Episode: "Padre De Joe F." |
| 2010 | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition | Himself | Episode: "The Williams Family" |
| 2010 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Uncle Ernesto | Episode: "Uncle Ernesto" |
| 2011 | The Cleveland Show | Diego (voice) | Episode: "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Roberta?" |
| 2011–12 | Royal Pains | Eric Kassabian | 3 episodes |
| 2011 | NTSF:SD:SUV:: | Enrique | Episode: "Piper Doesn't Live Here Anymore" |
| 2011 | Figgle Chat with Fred Figglehorn | Eduardo Fresco | Episode: "FRED Interviews Eduardo Fresco" |
| 2012 | Awake | Detective Efrem Vega | Series Regular; 13 episodes |
| 2012–13 | Suburgatory | Yoni | 2 episodes |
| 2012 | Are You There, Chelsea? | Tommy | Episode: "Those Damn Yankees" |
| 2012 | Men at Work | Eri Ricaldo | Episode: "Crazy for Milo" |
| 2012 | Minuto Para Ganar | Himself | Contestant |
| 2012–13 | Raising Hope | Ricardo Montes | 4 episodes |
| 2013 | RuPaul's Drag Race | Himself | Episode: "Drama Queens" |
| 2014 | Matador | Party Guest | Uncredited role, Episode: "Quid Go Pro" |
| 2014–16 | From Dusk till Dawn: The Series | Don Carlos Madrigal | 22 episodes; Series Regular (Seasons 1–2) Recurring (Season 3) |
| 2015 | Minority Report | Will Blake | Series Regular; 10 episodes |
| 2016 | Grey's Anatomy | Kyle Diaz | 5 episodes |
| 2016–present | NCIS | Nicholas "Nick" Torres | Series Regular |
| 2016 | The Ranch | Umberto | 3 Episodes |
Video games
| Year | Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Scarface: The World Is Yours | Pablo | Voice |
Director
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Imagination Movers | Episode: "Mouse Day" |
| 2013 | Salud - SkyBlu feat. Sensato, Reek Rude & Wilmer Valderrama | Music Video |
Discography
Singles
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "The Way I Fiesta" (feat. Clayton Vice) | Non-album Song |
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Salud" | 2013 | SkyBlu, Sensato, Reek Rude | Rebel Music |
Music videos
As lead artist
| Year | Title | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "The Way I Fiesta" (feat. Clayton Vice) | Akiva Schaffer | N/A |
As featured artist
| Year | Title | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | "Salud" (SkyBlu feat. Sensato, Reek Rude & Wilmer Valderrama) | Himself | Rebel Music |
Cameo appearances
- Paula DeAnda – "Easy"
- Omar Cruz feat. Frankie J – "To The Top"
- Fanny Lú – "Tu No Eres Para Mi"
- Wisin & Yandel feat. T-Pain – "Imagínate"
- Rob Thomas – "Ever the Same"
- LMFAO - "Sexy and I Know It"
- Jonas Brothers - "First Time"
- Chino & Nacho - "Mi Chica Ideal"
- Demi Lovato feat. Cher Lloyd - "Really Don't Care"
- Fergie - "LA LOVE (la la) feat. YG"[16]
- Demi Lovato - "Nightingale"
See also
References
- 1 2 "Wilmer Valderrama Biography (1980-)". FilmReference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ↑ WILMER VALDERRAMA OPENS UP ABOUT HIS ROLE ON ‘NCIS' & PLAYING PRINCE CHARMING
- 1 2 Wilmer Valderrama on DJ Vice's Electric Taco
- ↑ Manellis, Michele (December 14, 2006). "Wilmer more than Lindsay's ex". Herald Sun. Melbourne, Australia. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ↑ 'Blackout' explores culture of sobriety Los Angeles Times, April 25, 2003
- ↑ "Sunset Boulevard" on Hollywood Boulevard BroadwayWorld.com, April 5, 2004
- ↑ Carey Bryson. "Wilmer Valderrama Bio". About.com Entertainment. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
- ↑ Wilmer Valderrama to launch his own fashion label EnjoyFashion, January 4, 2007
- ↑ Tinoco, Armanda (August 14, 2012). "Leighton Meester featured in The Nomads' 'Addicted To Love'". Terra.com. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
- ↑ "2013 NCLR ALMA Awards preview: the hosts, honorees, new elements revealed". NBC Latino. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Wilmer Valderrama Joins Cast of El Rey Network's 'From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series' - Ratings". TVbytheNumbers. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ↑ Ausiello, Michael (2016-06-16). "Wilmer Valderrama Joins 'NCIS' Cast in Season 14 as a Series Regular". TVLine. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
- ↑ "Wilmer Valderrama Planning A Music Career". Starpulse.com. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
- ↑ "Wilmer Valderrama Previews New Song, Announces Return to TV—Watch Now!". E! News. April 25, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ↑ Cordero, Rosy. "Wilmer Valderrama Calle Ocho Interview Tide & 'Covergirl'". Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Can You Spot All the Famous Faces in Fergie's 'L.A. Love' Video?". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 2015-11-18.
External links
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