EPISODE · Jun 3, 2026 · 1H 9M
Wilmer Valderrama
from Shawn Stockman's On That Note · host Shawn Stockman
Wilmer Valderrama joins Shawn Stockman to talk That ’70s Show, the mystery of where Fez is actually from, learning English through acting, and his journey from Venezuela to Hollywood. He also opens up about breaking out of Fez typecasting, building a decade-long run on NCIS, and the music and culture that shaped him. Wilmer Valderrama sits down with Shawn Stockman for a funny, thoughtful, and inspiring episode of On That Note. Wilmer looks back on growing up in Venezuela, where salsa and merengue filled the house every morning, and shares how moving back to the United States as a teenager without knowing English became one of the most challenging turning points of his life. He explains how performing arts, theater, and acting helped him learn the language, build confidence, and find a way forward. The conversation dives deep into That ’70s Show, from Wilmer’s emotional audition story to the mystery of where Fez is actually from. Wilmer reveals why the show never officially defined Fez’s country, the joke endings he imagined for the character, and how the role changed his life after his dad borrowed gas money to get him to the final audition. Wilmer also talks about the challenge of breaking out of Fez typecasting, the intentional indie roles that helped reshape how Hollywood saw him, and how that work eventually led to his long run on NCIS. He reflects on Latino representation, Desi Arnaz, Antonio Banderas, Pedro Pascal, Encanto, My Cultura Podcast Network, Essential Voices, and why film, television, music, and podcasting can all be vessels for healing and connection. A powerful conversation about identity, culture, comedy, music, family, and the long road from being a foreign exchange student on TV to becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable Latino actors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What this episode covers
Wilmer Valderrama joins Shawn Stockman to talk That ’70s Show, the mystery of where Fez is actually from, learning English through acting, and his journey from Venezuela to Hollywood. He also opens up about breaking out of Fez typecasting, building a decade-long run on NCIS, and the music and culture that shaped him. Wilmer Valderrama sits down with Shawn Stockman for a funny, thoughtful, and inspiring episode of On That Note. Wilmer looks back on growing up in Venezuela, where salsa and merengue filled the house every morning, and shares how moving back to the United States as a teenager without knowing English became one of the most challenging turning points of his life. He explains how performing arts, theater, and acting helped him learn the language, build confidence, and find a way forward. The conversation dives deep into That ’70s Show, from Wilmer’s emotional audition story to the mystery of where Fez is actually from. Wilmer reveals why the show never officially defined Fez’s country, the joke endings he imagined for the character, and how the role changed his life after his dad borrowed gas money to get him to the final audition. Wilmer also talks about the challenge of breaking out of Fez typecasting, the intentional indie roles that helped reshape how Hollywood saw him, and how that work eventually led to his long run on NCIS. He reflects on Latino representation, Desi Arnaz, Antonio Banderas, Pedro Pascal, Encanto, My Cultura Podcast Network, Essential Voices, and why film, television, music, and podcasting can all be vessels for healing and connection. A powerful conversation about identity, culture, comedy, music, family, and the long road from being a foreign exchange student on TV to becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable Latino actors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Wilmer Valderrama
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