J.R. Villarreal

Last updated
J.R. Villarreal
Born (1992-09-28) September 28, 1992 (age 31)
Houston, Texas, United States
Other namesJuan Villarreal Jr.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • producer
  • assistant director

J.R. Villarreal is an American actor, producer, and second-line director, best known for his roles as Javier in 2006 Film Akeelah And The Bee , Black Scorpion on the Disney Channel action-comedy series Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion , and Tio Tonio on Netflix's On My Block -spinoff series Freeridge .

Contents

Early career

Inspired by early-2000s teen sitcoms That's So Raven , Boy Meets World , Even Stevens , and Smart Guy , Villarreal began acting at 10 years old, appearing in network procedurals Without a Trace and House , among others. [1] In 2006, he received acclaim for his role as Javier Mendez, a talented 12-year-old Mexican-American contestant from upscale Woodland Hills who competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee alongside actress Keke Palmer in Akeelah and the Bee , eventually becoming her love interest and friend in the film after extending an invitation to his birthday party and middle school spelling club. [2]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2003Senor White
2006 Akeelah and the Bee Javier Mendez [3]
2007 The Death and Life of Bobby Z Kit [4]
2011 Magic City Memoirs Mikey Acosta
2013 Ghost Team One Brad [5]
2015 Spare Parts Hector
2017An American In TexasPaul VillarrealCo-Producer
WhitebloodRico
2023The UncannyTerrence
TBAJenniJuan 'Cinco' Lopez [6]
TBAThe Low-End TheoryChino

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2003 Without a Trace Nelson RodriguezEpisode: "A Tree Falls"
2004 Cold Case Boy #2Episode: "The Plan"
2005 Strong Medicine Marcos GarciaEpisode: "Promising Treatment"
House MannyEpisode: "Humpty Dumpty"
Ghost Whisperer Joseph BorgiaEpisode: "On The Wings of a Dove"
2007 CSI: Miami Ben TavezEpisode: "No Man's Land"
2013ChamacasEpisode: "Bikini Line"
The Bridge MandoEpisode: "The Beast"
2017High & MightyHugoRecurring (7 episodes)
2018 Medal of Honor Justin Gallegos / GallegosRecurring (2 episodes)
2020 United We Fall Felix RodriguezRecurring (3 Episodes)
2022 Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion Black Scorpion / Cruz de la VegaMain Cast (16 Episodes) [1]
2023 Freeridge Tio TonioRecurring (7 Episodes) [7] [8]
2025 Landman ManuelRecurring [9]

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References

  1. 1 2 Hullender, Tatiana (June 2, 2022). "Scarlett Estevez & JR Villarreal Interview: Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  2. Ebert, Roger. "Akeelah and the Bee movie review (2006); Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Archived from the original on 2014-07-08. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  3. Chang, Justin (March 20, 2006). "Akeelah and the Bee". Variety. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  4. Leydon, Joe (October 9, 2007). "Bobby Z". Variety. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  5. Berkshire, Geoff (October 15, 2013). "Film Review: 'Ghost Team One'". Variety. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  6. Cordero, Rosy (March 8, 2023). "Jenni Rivera Biopic Greenlit At Vix; Annie Gonzalez To Star & Executive Produce". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  7. "Solve the Mystery of Who's Who on 'Freeridge'". Netflix Tudum. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  8. Swift, Andy (April 12, 2023). "On My Block Spinoff Freeridge Cancelled by Netflix After One Season". TVLine. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  9. Cordero, Rosy (April 5, 2024). "Taylor Sheridan's 'Landman' Adds Octavio Rodriguez & J.R. Villarreal". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.