Wilmer Valderrama
An actor who transcended his breakout role as the lovably odd Fez to become a versatile mainstay on television, from children's animation to primetime procedurals.
Born 1980 (age 46)·American actor·Birthday: January 30·Generation X
Biography
Wilmer Valderrama arrived in the United States from Venezuela as a teenager, an experience that likely informed his ability to channel outsiders and immigrants with heart. His big break came with the surreal, accent-heavy role of Fez on 'That '70s Show,' a character that could have been a one-note joke but which Valderrama infused with such genuine, bewildered charm that he became a series standout. He strategically avoided typecasting, voicing the gentle, tool-loving Manny on 'Handy Manny' for a generation of preschoolers and later stepping into the gritty world of 'From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.' His most significant second act began in 2016 when he joined the juggernaut 'NCIS' as Special Agent Nick Torres, bringing a rugged, unpredictable energy that helped refresh the long-running franchise. Off-screen, he has been a vocal advocate for Latino representation in Hollywood and civic engagement, leveraging his platform for political and social causes.
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.
Wilmer 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 Wilmer Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Wilmer'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
- Portrayed the iconic character Fez for the entire eight-season run of the hit sitcom 'That '70s Show,' becoming a fan favorite.
- Joined the cast of 'NCIS' in its 14th season as Nick Torres, a role he has played for over 150 episodes, helping sustain the show's popularity.
- Voiced the title character in Disney's 'Handy Manny,' a beloved educational series that ran for six seasons and multiple Emmy nominations.
- Hosted and produced the MTV series 'Yo Momma,' showcasing a different side of his career in unscripted television.
Did You Know?
He was originally cast as the character of Michael Kelso on 'That '70s Show,' but the role eventually went to Ashton Kutcher.
He became a U.S. citizen in 2007 and has served as a co-chair of the President's Advisory Commission on Hispanic Prosperity.
He dated pop star Mandy Moore for several years in the early 2000s.
He provided the voice for the character Agustín Madrigal in Disney's animated film 'Encanto.'
“I didn't come to this country to make it in Hollywood. I came to this country to pursue the American dream, and Hollywood happened to be the vehicle.”
