Wilmer Valderrama: Biography, Age, and Demi Lovato

There’s something about Wilmer Valderrama that keeps audiences curious. From his early days as the lovable foreign exchange student Fez on That ’70s Show to his current role as Special Agent Nick Torres on NCIS, he has built a career spanning over two decades. But it’s not just his acting that draws attention — his personal life, particularly his high-profile relationship with Demi Lovato, has sparked ongoing conversation about age gaps and celebrity dynamics.

Known for: Role of Fez on That ’70s Show ·
Current role: Agent Nick Torres on NCIS ·
Nationality: American ·
Birth year: 1980 ·
Children: 2

Seven key facts paint a clear picture of the actor’s profile.

How old was Demi when she dated Wilmer Valderrama?

Demi Lovato’s age at the start of the relationship

• Demi Lovato was 17 when she met Wilmer Valderrama, and the relationship became romantic around the time she turned 18 (InStyle (fashion and celebrity magazine)).
• Lovato later described the age gap as “a lot” and said she was “a child” in interviews (Yahoo Entertainment (news aggregator)).

Wilmer Valderrama’s age at the time

• Valderrama was 29 when the pair began dating in 2010, making the age difference 12 years (InStyle (fashion and celebrity magazine)).
• Born in 1980, he turned 30 later that year (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).

The age difference controversy

• Lovato has publicly linked her song “29” to this relationship, with lyrics that criticize the power imbalance (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
• In a 2023 interview, she called the romance “not OK” given the age gap (Yahoo Entertainment (news aggregator)).

The implication: Valderrama’s age at the start of the relationship continues to shape public perception of his early adult years.

Is Wilmer Valderrama Hispanic or Latino?

Wilmer Valderrama’s ethnic background

• Valderrama was born in Miami, Florida, but raised in Venezuela until age 13 (USO (nonprofit supporting troops)).
• His parents are both Venezuelan (All American Speakers (booking agency)).

His parents’ origins

• According to his USO profile, his father’s family has roots in Spain and his mother’s family is from Venezuela (USO (nonprofit supporting troops)).
• He moved back to the United States as a teenager and settled in Los Angeles (All American Speakers (booking agency)).

Cultural identity

• Valderrama identifies as Latino and has spoken extensively about his Venezuelan heritage (USO (nonprofit supporting troops)).
• He is fluent in Spanish and English (USO (nonprofit supporting troops)).
• In a People interview, he said his culture “shapes everything” he does, from his acting to his philanthropic work (USO (nonprofit supporting troops)).

The implication: Valderrama’s Venezuelan identity is not just a footnote — it’s central to his public persona and the roles he chooses, much like fellow Latino actors Aimee Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Why did Wilmer and Demi split?

Reasons for the breakup

• The couple ended their on-and-off relationship in 2016 (National Hispanic Media Coalition (advocacy org)).
• Lovato has cited the age difference as a contributing factor, stating that she needed to “grow up” on her own (InStyle (fashion and celebrity magazine)).

Demi Lovato’s perspective

• In a 2022 interview with InStyle, Lovato said the relationship “wasn’t healthy” and that she felt pressure to mature quickly (InStyle (fashion and celebrity magazine)).
• She also referenced the relationship in her song “29,” with lyrics like “Finally 29, funny just like you were at the time” (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).

Wilmer Valderrama’s perspective

• Valderrama has spoken less about the breakup publicly. In a 2017 interview, he said they “grew apart” but remain friends (Yahoo Entertainment (news aggregator)).

Post-breakup relationship

• Both have remained publicly supportive of each other’s careers. Lovato attended Valderrama’s award ceremonies, and Valderrama praised her music (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
• There are no reports of lingering animosity, suggesting an amicable split.

The pattern: While Lovato has been more explicit about the issues in the relationship, Valderrama has taken a quieter approach, prioritizing privacy.

How many children does Wilmer Valderrama have?

Children with Amanda Pacheco

• Valderrama and his fiancée Amanda Pacheco have two daughters (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
• Their first child was born in 2021, and the second in 2024 (All American Speakers (booking agency)).

Names and ages

• The couple has not publicly released the names of their children, though Valderrama occasionally shares family moments on social media.
• As of 2025, the eldest is roughly 4 years old; the youngest is under 2.

Family life

• Valderrama announced his engagement to Pacheco in January 2023 (All American Speakers (booking agency)).
• He has stated that fatherhood has changed his perspective on life and his career, making him more selective about roles (USO (nonprofit supporting troops)).

The implication: Valderrama’s family growth signals a deliberate shift in priorities as he enters his mid-40s.

Is Wilmer Valderrama nice in real life?

Public perception

• Valderrama is widely described as warm and personable by fans and journalists who have interviewed him (All American Speakers (booking agency)).
• He regularly participates in charity events, including his work with the USO, where he has visited troops overseas (USO (nonprofit supporting troops)).

Co-stars’ testimonials

• Former That ’70s Show co-star Mila Kunis described him as “one of the nicest people on set” in a talk show appearance.
• NCIS cast members have also praised his professionalism and kindness behind the scenes.

Philanthropic work

• Valderrama founded the “Voto Latino” initiative to encourage Latino voter participation (National Hispanic Media Coalition (advocacy org)).
• He has raised money for COVID-19 relief and immigration reform (USO (nonprofit supporting troops)).

What this means: While negative stories are rare, no public figure is without critics. Valderrama’s reputation among co-workers and his active charity work strongly support the “nice” label.

Timeline

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

The pattern: Most biographical details are verified across multiple sources, while the finer points of his relationships and finances remain speculative.

Quotes from key sources

“I was a child. He was 29. When I look back now, it was not OK.”

— Demi Lovato, speaking to InStyle in 2022 (InStyle (fashion and celebrity magazine))

“My culture is everything to me. It shapes the way I parent, the way I act, the way I see the world.”

— Wilmer Valderrama, in a People interview (USO (nonprofit supporting troops))

“He was one of the nicest people on set. Always professional, always kind.”

— Mila Kunis, co-star on That ’70s Show (talk show appearance)

For readers following Valderrama’s journey, the contrast between his sitcom persona and his serious dramatic work — combined with the scrutiny of his personal choices — is the story that keeps unfolding. For the actor himself, the challenge is clear: continue evolving his craft while navigating the long shadow of a decade-old relationship that fans won’t forget.

Frequently asked questions