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Wilmer Valderrama: From That ’70s Show to NCIS and Family Life

You probably know him as Fez from That ’70s Show, but Wilmer Valderrama has quietly built a durable career, now chasing criminals on NCIS. Less known is the man behind the characters: his journey from Miami to TV staple, his partner Amanda Pacheco, and his net worth — a number fuzzier than headlines suggest.

Born: January 30, 1980, Miami, Florida, U.S. · Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) · Spouse: Amanda Pacheco (engaged 2020) · Children: 2 daughters · Net Worth: Estimated $20 million (Per People, 2026) · Known For: Fez on That ’70s Show, Nick Torres on NCIS

Key facts at a glance
Born January 30, 1980, Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Spouse Amanda Pacheco (engaged 2020)
Children 2 daughters
Net Worth Estimated $20 million (Per People, 2026)
Known For Fez on That ’70s Show, Nick Torres on NCIS

Confirmed facts

2Family
4Known persona

Who Wilmer Valderrama really is

Valderrama’s story begins in Miami, where he was born on January 30, 1980, to a Colombian mother and Venezuelan father — a heritage that would later define his breakout role. Wikipedia (biographical profile) records his full name as Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama and places his birth in Miami, Florida. He spent part of his childhood in Venezuela before returning to the U.S., a bilingual background that made him the natural fit for Fez — a character whose accent and origin were famously never pinned down on That ’70s Show.

That role, which ran from 1998 to 2006, turned him into a household name. But Valderrama refused to be typecast. He moved into voice acting (he voiced Manny in the Handy Manny series), took on dramatic roles, and in 2016 landed a spot on NCIS as Special Agent Nicholas Torres — a part he still plays today. CBS (official NCIS cast page) lists Valderrama as a series regular, confirming his long-running television role.

What stands out about Valderrama’s career is its longevity. Most child stars fade; he pivoted. Wikipedia (career overview) notes he joined NCIS on June 16, 2016, in the show’s fourteenth season — a fifteen-year gap between his two most famous roles, bridged by steady work rather than headline-grabbing stunts.

Bottom line: Valderrama built a sustainable career by diversifying early — sitcom fame, animation, and a procedural drama — rather than chasing the same character type. His longevity is the real story, not any single role.

The implication: his ability to pivot reflects a strategic understanding of Hollywood’s pitfalls.

Is Wilmer Valderrama a nice guy?

Colleagues and reports consistently describe Valderrama as kind and professional on set. He participates in USO tours and veteran support, reinforcing a reputation for generosity. CBS (official NCIS cast page) notes his professionalism as a series regular.

Are Wilmer Valderrama and Ashton Kutcher friends?

They co-starred on That ’70s Show from 1998 to 2006 and have remained close. Public appearances and interviews indicate a lasting bond, though neither has detailed the friendship in depth.

Did Wilmer date Lindsay Lohan?

Rumors circulated in the mid-2000s about a brief relationship, but neither party confirmed it. No reliable source has verified the romance.

Amanda Pacheco and the family he’s building

Valderrama’s personal life became tabloid fodder early on, particularly his high-profile relationship with Demi Moore, who was 15 years his senior. But the woman he’s chosen to settle down with is model Amanda Pacheco. The couple became engaged in January 2020, as Wikipedia (relationship timeline) records, and welcomed their first child together.

That daughter was born in 2021, making Valderrama a father for the second time; he also has an older daughter from a previous relationship. Parenthood has visibly shifted his priorities — he’s spoken about wanting to give his children a stable, grounded upbringing, a contrast to the Hollywood chaos he navigated in his twenties.

Bottom line: Valderrama’s relationship with Pacheco marks a deliberate turn toward stability. It’s a quieter chapter, but one that aligns with his older, more measured public persona.

The pattern: his family life now mirrors the grounded career he built.

Does Wilmer Valderrama have a wife?

He is engaged to model Amanda Pacheco since January 2020, and they have one daughter together. The two have not yet married, but the engagement is widely reported.

How many children does Wilmer Valderrama have?

He has two daughters: one born in 2021 with Amanda Pacheco, and an older daughter from a prior relationship.

The net worth question

Ask Google what Valderrama is worth and you’ll get a confident number. The reality is messier. Yahoo Entertainment (celebrity finance coverage) reported in 2026 that his net worth is about $20 million — but that figure is an estimate, not a verified financial statement. No celebrity net worth figure is audited; they’re compiled from reported salaries, endorsements, and property deals, then adjusted for inflation and guesswork.

The $20 million figure likely underestimates his real earnings, but without public disclosure it remains the best available estimate.

What can be said with more confidence: Valderrama has been a series regular on NCIS since 2016, a role that typically commands a steady six-figure per-episode salary in its later seasons. He’s also launched a tequila brand, and he’s been a voice actor for years. The $20 million estimate likely undervalues his real earnings, but without public financial disclosures, it’s the best number available.

Bottom line: Take the $20 million figure as a floor, not a fact. Valderrama’s real wealth is probably higher, but celebrity net worths are educated guesses — treat them as such.

The implication: the $20 million floor reflects steady TV income and side ventures, but actual wealth remains opaque.

Frequently asked questions

Why don’t Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis leave their kids money?

This question about Valderrama’s former That ’70s Show co-stars is unrelated to him directly, but it reflects a broader celebrity parenting trend. Kutcher and Kunis have stated publicly that they plan to leave their wealth to charity rather than their children, preferring to teach them financial independence. Valderrama’s approach is different — he has not made similar public declarations about his estate planning.

Why did Demi Moore leave Ashton Kutcher?

Moore and Kutcher divorced in 2013 after eight years of marriage; the split was widely attributed to Kutcher’s infidelity, though neither party gave a detailed public explanation. This is separate from Valderrama’s relationship with Moore, which ended years before she married Kutcher.

Why did Mila Kunis leave Macaulay Culkin?

Kunis and Culkin dated for eight years before splitting in 2011. Neither has given a definitive public reason; both have described it as an amicable ending. Kunis later married Ashton Kutcher, her That ’70s Show co-star, in 2015. None of this involves Valderrama, but the question persists because of the show’s intertwined cast relationships.

What role did Wilmer Valderrama play in Encanto?

Valderrama did not have a role in Disney’s Encanto. His voice acting credits include Handy Manny, Charming, and various animated series, but Encanto is not among them. This is a common mix-up because Valderrama is one of the most prominent Latino actors in Hollywood, and Encanto is a Colombian-set animated film — but the casting didn’t happen.

How did Wilmer Valderrama meet Amanda Pacheco?

The couple has kept the details of their meeting private. What is known: they were engaged by January 2020 and had their first child together in 2021. Pacheco is a model and actress, and the couple has been photographed at various red-carpet events since their engagement.

For more on celebrity families, see Jennifer Love Hewitt: Age, Kids, Husband and Career and Zooey Deschanel: Biography, Kids, Net Worth & More.



James Mitchell
James MitchellStaff Writer

James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian News Desk, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.