J. D. Pardo
A chameleonic actor who broke out of 'pretty boy' roles to become the brooding, complex heart of a hit motorcycle club drama.
Born 1980 (age 46)·American actor·Birthday: September 7·Generation X
Biography
J.D. Pardo's path in Hollywood was a slow burn, a gradual shedding of expectations to reveal a potent and compelling leading man. Of Salvadoran and Argentine descent, he spent years navigating an industry that often saw him only for his looks, landing roles in teen dramas like 'The O.C.' and '90210.' But Pardo was quietly building his craft, taking on smaller parts in films like 'A Cinderella Story' and 'Twilight.' The breakthrough came with FX's 'Mayans M.C.,' a spin-off of 'Sons of Anarchy.' As Ezekiel 'EZ' Reyes, a prospect with a haunted past and a brilliant mind, Pardo delivered a performance of simmering intensity and vulnerability, anchoring the series for five seasons. This role redefined him, proving his ability to carry a gritty, morally complex narrative. He further showcased his range by playing a young Jack Toretto in 'F9,' connecting him to one of cinema's biggest franchises and solidifying his status as a versatile and compelling screen presence.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
J. was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When J. Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
J.'s Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played the lead role of Ezekiel 'EZ' Reyes for five seasons on the FX series 'Mayans M.C.'
- Portrayed a young Jack Toretto in the blockbuster film 'F9: The Fast Saga.'
- Starred as a series regular in the final season of the long-running drama 'Revolution.'
Did You Know?
He is fluent in Spanish, which he used extensively in his role on 'Mayans M.C.'
Before acting, he worked as a model and appeared in commercials for brands like Pepsi and McDonald's.
He is a trained martial artist, which he has incorporated into several of his action roles.
“I stopped trying to be what they wanted and started being what I am.”
