Remember Fez from ‘That ’70s Show’? Here’s What Wilmer Valderrama (46) Looks Like Today
Wilmer Valderrama first started acting at a young age, performing in plays like A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Rumors. His early work included a Spanish-language commercial for Pacific Bell, which led his drama teacher to help him get an agent. Valderrama soon appeared in the CBS miniseries Four Corners and the Disney Channel show Omba Mokomba. His first movie role was in Summer Catch.
Valderrama’s big break came in 1998 when he was cast as Fez on That ’70s Show. He was still in high school when filming began. The role made him famous and opened many doors for his career.
That ’70s Show ran for eight seasons, and Valderrama later said the experience helped him grow both professionally and personally. It allowed him to explore comedy, develop his acting skills, and connect with other actors like Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. During the show, he also appeared in films like Party Monster and later produced and hosted MTV’s Yo Momma.
After That ’70s Show, Valderrama tried different roles. He acted in plays like Blackout and in independent films such as The Darwin Awards and El Muerto. He also did voice work, playing Manny in Disney’s Handy Manny and Rodrigo in Clifford’s Really Big Movie. In 2010, he appeared on Wizards of Waverly Place, and in 2011, he had a role on Royal Pains. In 2013, he joined the cast of From Dusk till Dawn: The Series.
His career took another turn when he became a series regular on NCIS in 2016, playing Special Agent Nicholas Torres, a role that led to appearances on spin-offs NCIS: New Orleans and NCIS: Hawaiʻi.
Valderrama also voices characters in animated films, including Gaxton in Pixar’s Onward (2020) and a role in Disney’s Encanto (2021). In 2021, he was announced as executive producer and star of a new Zorro series for Disney. He will also appear in That ’90s Show, the follow-up to the original sitcom.
Besides acting, Valderrama has a music career. In 2011, he released The Way I Fiesta under his alter ego Eduardo Fresco. The music video was directed by Akiva Schaffer of The Lonely Island, and Danny Masterson had a cameo. Valderrama has appeared in music videos for Wisin & Yandel and LMFAO. He has recorded songs in both English and Spanish and planned more music releases in 2013 and 2014, according to interviews with Billboard Latin Music Awards and Latina magazine.
Valderrama has also been active in philanthropy. Since 2007, he has toured extensively with the USO, performing for troops in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Germany, and South Korea. He was named a USO Global Ambassador in 2021. Along with America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams, he co-founded Harness in 2017, a non-profit aimed at increasing representation for marginalized communities.
Valderrama has worked with Voto Latino to boost voter participation and has been involved with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. In 2021, he launched the podcast Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama, highlighting the stories of essential workers.
Valderrama’s personal life has often made headlines. He dated singer Mandy Moore and later Lindsay Lohan. From 2010 to 2016, he had an on-and-off relationship with Demi Lovato. In 2020, he became engaged to Amanda Pacheco, and the couple now has two children, born in 2021 and 2025. Valderrama is also a car collector and owns the original 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser from That ’70s Show, which he bought for $500.
Looking back, That ’70s Show was a turning point for Wilmer Valderrama. It gave him fame, experience, and connections that shaped his career in acting, voice work, music, and production. The role of Fez allowed him to explore a wide range of opportunities and remain a recognizable figure in entertainment.
What do you think about Wilmer Valderrama’s journey from teen sitcom star to activist and producer? Share your thoughts in the comments.
