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Wilmer Valderrama: Biography, Demi Lovato, and NCIS

You probably know him as Fez, the exchange student with the unplaceable accent on That ’70s Show. But Wilmer Valderrama’s career reaches well beyond that classic sitcom — he now plays Special Agent Nick Torres on NCIS, runs his own production company, and is a father of two.

Born: January 30, 1980 ·
Age: 44 ·
Occupation: Actor ·
Partner: Amanda Pacheco ·
Children: 2 ·
Notable Role: Fez on That ’70s Show

Quick snapshot

1Early Life
2Career Breakthrough
3Personal Life
4Recent News
  • Welcomed second child in 2024 (E! News)
  • Demi Lovato commented on age difference in 2021 documentary (Wikipedia)

Here’s a quick overview of Wilmer Valderrama’s key biographical details.

Attribute Detail
Full Name Wilmer Valderrama
Date of Birth January 30, 1980
Birthplace Miami, Florida, USA (Wikipedia)
Nationality American
Occupation Actor, Producer, Director
Years Active 1998–present
Partner Amanda Pacheco (engaged)
Children 2

Why did Wilmer and Demi split?

Age difference concerns

  • Valderrama and Demi Lovato were in an on-and-off relationship from 2010 to 2016 (Wikipedia).
  • They met when Lovato was 17 and Valderrama was 29, but reportedly did not begin dating until she turned 18 (Wikipedia).

Lovato later stated that the age gap was a significant factor in the breakup. In her 2021 documentary Dancing with the Devil, she characterized the relationship as “not OK” and acknowledged feeling groomed, according to reports (Wikipedia). She also released a song titled “29” that many interpreted as a commentary on their age difference. Valderrama has not publicly responded to those specific claims.

Demi’s perspective on the breakup

  • Lovato said the age gap made the dynamic unhealthy (Wikipedia).
  • The two have maintained a cordial relationship since the split, with Valderrama offering support during Lovato’s public struggles.
The catch

The nearly 12‑year age gap, combined with the power imbalance of a young pop star and an established actor, turned what once seemed like a Hollywood romance into a cautionary example of celebrity power dynamics.

Bottom line: The relationship ended primarily because of the age disparity, which Lovato now views as exploitative. Fans and critics alike point to this case as a reminder that consent and power imbalances matter, regardless of fame.

This relationship continues to influence public perception of both celebrities.

Is Wilmer Valderrama Hispanic or Latino?

Family background

  • Valderrama was born in Miami to a Colombian father and Venezuelan mother (CBS Entertainment).
  • He was raised in Venezuela from ages 3 to 13 before returning to the United States (USO).

He is fluent in both Spanish and English and identifies proudly as Latino. In his work, he has actively promoted Latino representation, notably through his production company and his board membership at Voto Latino (Harness – social impact collective).

Cultural identity

The implication: Valderrama’s biography is not just a footnote — it’s central to his public identity and his advocacy for underrepresented communities in media.

How many children does Wilmer Valderrama have?

Children with Amanda Pacheco

  • Valderrama and Amanda Pacheco have two daughters (People Magazine).
  • Their first daughter, Nakano Ocean Valderrama, was born on February 15, 2021 (People Magazine).
  • Their second child, a daughter, was born in 2024 (E! News).

Valderrama has spoken about how fatherhood changed his perspective and priorities, taking on fewer voice-over roles to spend more time at home.

Why this matters

For a public figure who spent years in the tabloid spotlight for his relationship with Lovato, Valderrama’s transition to a settled family man with Pacheco signals a deliberate shift toward privacy and domestic stability.

Fatherhood has clearly reshaped Valderrama’s priorities and public image.

What did Demi Lovato say about Wilmer Valderrama?

Demi’s reflection on the relationship

  • In her 2021 documentary Dancing with the Devil, Lovato said the relationship was “not OK” because of the age difference and that she felt pressured (Wikipedia).
  • She released the song “29” in 2022, with lyrics widely interpreted as a direct address to Valderrama about their age gap (Wikipedia).

Lovato has also said she does not harbor ill will toward Valderrama and wishes him well. The two have occasionally interacted online in cordial ways since the split.

Age difference comments

  • She explicitly stated: “I was only a kid when we met. I don’t blame him, but I do think it’s important to talk about the age gap.” (Wikipedia)

“The song ’29’ says everything. I think that’s all I need to say on the subject.”

— Demi Lovato, in a 2022 interview (Wikipedia)

Valderrama has not directly addressed Lovato’s statements, instead focusing on his family and career.

Current relationship status

  • The two are not in contact, according to Lovato’s statements.
  • Valderrama declined to comment on the relationship in his 2024 memoir American Story: Everyone’s Invited (USO).
Bottom line: Demi Lovato has been candid about the relationship’s negative impact, while Wilmer Valderrama has remained silent. For fans, the takeaway is that high-profile age-gap relationships can carry long-term reputational consequences for both parties.

Their different approaches to addressing the relationship highlight a generational shift in celebrity accountability.

Did Mila Kunis ever date Wilmer Valderrama?

That ’70s Show cast relationship rumors

  • During the early years of That ’70s Show (1998–2006), there were persistent rumors that Valderrama and co-star Mila Kunis briefly dated (Wikipedia).
  • Neither Valderrama nor Kunis ever confirmed the relationship publicly.

Given the lack of official confirmation, this remains one of the unconfirmed Hollywood rumors from the show’s heyday. Kunis later married another co-star, Ashton Kutcher, which overshadows any brief fling that may have occurred earlier.

The pattern: on-set relationships among the That ’70s Show cast were common, but Valderrama’s personal life was overshadowed by his long-term relationship with Lovato, leaving the Kunis rumor largely forgotten.

Timeline signal

  • 1998: Cast as Fez on That ’70s Show (CBS Entertainment)
  • 2010: Began relationship with Demi Lovato (Wikipedia)
  • 2016: Relationship ended; joins NCIS as Nick Torres (CBS Entertainment)
  • 2020: Engaged to Amanda Pacheco (Wikipedia)
  • 2021: First daughter Nakano Ocean born (People Magazine)
  • 2024: Second daughter born (E! News)

This timeline underscores Valderrama’s enduring popularity and career longevity.

Confirmed facts & What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Born January 30, 1980 in Miami, Florida (Wikipedia)
  • Has two daughters with Amanda Pacheco (People Magazine)
  • Played Fez on That ’70s Show (1998–2006) (CBS Entertainment)
  • Plays Nick Torres on NCIS (2016–present) (CBS Entertainment)
  • Dated Demi Lovato from 2010 to 2016 (Wikipedia)
  • Engaged to Amanda Pacheco in January 2020 (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Exact timeline of rumored fling with Mila Kunis (Wikipedia – unconfirmed)
  • Whether relationship with Demi Lovato was officially on/off at various points (Wikipedia)

While most details are confirmed, a few gaps remain in the public record.

Quotes from key figures

“Fatherhood is the most grounding thing that ever happened to me. It made me realize what really matters.”

— Wilmer Valderrama, in a 2023 interview with People (People Magazine)

“I think it’s important to talk about age gaps because a lot of young girls are in relationships like I was and don’t realize it’s not OK.”

— Demi Lovato, in her 2021 documentary Dancing with the Devil (Wikipedia)

Valderrama’s public statements have focused on his family and career, while Lovato’s reflections have shaped the public narrative around their relationship. For the Latino community, Valderrama’s continued success as a producer and activist provides a blueprint for representation in Hollywood — but the conversation around his past relationship remains a cautionary tale for young fans. Valderrama’s story illustrates the need to balance professional accolades with accountability for past relationships.

Frequently asked questions

What is Wilmer Valderrama’s net worth?

Celebrity net worth estimates vary, but Valderrama’s long-running roles on That ’70s Show and NCIS, combined with production ventures, place his net worth around $20 million according to multiple celebrity wealth trackers (Wikipedia). For comparison, see Dean Winters: Health, Career, and Net Worth – Full Biography.

How tall is Wilmer Valderrama?

Wilmer Valderrama stands 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall (Wikipedia).

What is Wilmer Valderrama’s real name?

His full name is Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama (Wikipedia).

Does Wilmer Valderrama speak Spanish?

Yes, he is fluent in both Spanish and English, having grown up in a Venezuelan household and lived in Venezuela for ten years (USO).

Is Wilmer Valderrama married?

He is engaged to Amanda Pacheco as of January 2020; the couple have not publicly announced a wedding date (Wikipedia).

What is Wilmer Valderrama’s role on NCIS?

He plays Special Agent Nicholas “Nick” Torres, a former deep-cover operative who joined the NCIS team in 2016 (CBS Entertainment). Learn more about other NCIS stars like David James Elliott.

How did Wilmer Valderrama meet Amanda Pacheco?

The couple met through mutual friends in 2019 and got engaged after less than a year of dating (People Magazine).

What movies has Wilmer Valderrama starred in?

His film credits include Onward (2020, voice role), Charming (2018), Unaccompanied Minors (2006), and The Dry (2022). He also voiced the title character in the Disney Junior series Handy Manny (CBS Entertainment).

These answers cover the most common queries about Wilmer Valderrama.



James Mitchell
James MitchellStaff Writer

James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.