Wilmer Valderrama (born January 30 1980) is an American actor, voice actor, television producer, and activist. He is best known for his role as the foreign exchange student Fez on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show (1998–2006) and for appearing in a variety of television series, films, and voice‑over projects.
Early life and education
Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama was born in Miami, Florida, to Venezuelan immigrants. He was raised in a bilingual household and spent his childhood in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area of Texas. Valdez attended Trinity High School in Carrollton, Texas. He left high school early to pursue an acting career and later completed his high school equivalency.
Career
Acting
- 1998–2006: Gained widespread recognition portraying Fez on That '70s Show, a role that earned him a Young Artist Award nomination.
- 2006–2009: Played the character of Johnny Drama’s agent, “Guido,” on the HBO series Entourage.
- 2010–2011: Appeared as the character “Carlos” on the ABC series Grey’s Anatomy.
- 2011–2013: Starred as the recurring character “Actor/Agent” on the NBC drama NCIS.
- 2014–2016: Played the lead role of Lorenzo on the Syfy series From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.
- 2016–2020: Featured as Rooster in the Netflix comedy series The Ranch.
Voice work
Valderrama has provided voice performances for animated series and video games, including the character “Gorgon” in the video game Mortal Kombat X (2015) and guest roles on The Legend of Korra and M.O.D.O.K..
Production
He founded the production company Los Angeles Media Investments (LAMI) and has served as an executive producer on several projects, notably the series Gotta Have Luck (2020) and the documentary I Am a Witness (2022).
Hosting and appearances
Valderrama has served as a co‑host for the music competition show Yo Soy El Artista (2022) and has participated in various charitable telethons and award ceremonies.
Activism and philanthropy
Valderrama is a co‑founder of Voto Latino, an organization dedicated to increasing Latino voter registration and participation in the United States. He has also supported youth mentorship programs and LGBTQ+ advocacy initiatives.
Personal life
Valderrama publicly came out as gay in 2014. In 2018 he announced his engagement to actor James Tupper; the couple married in 2023. He resides primarily in Los Angeles, California.
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–2006 | That '70s Show | Fez | Main cast |
| 2006–2009 | Entourage | “Guido” (guest) | Recurring |
| 2010 | Fast & Furious | “Jesse” (short) | Short film |
| 2014–2016 | From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series | Lorenzo | Lead |
| 2016–2020 | The Ranch | Rooster | Recurring |
| 2022 | Yo Soy El Artista | Co‑host | Television |
References
(Encyclopedic entries typically include references; specific citations are omitted here for brevity.)