J.R. Villarreal
J.R. Villarreal | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 28, 1992 Houston, Texas, United States |
| Other names | Juan Villarreal Jr. |
| Occupations |
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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.
Career
[edit]Early career: Akeelah and the Bee
[edit]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, Cold Case, 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 LA suburb Woodland Hills who competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee alongside actress Keke Palmer in Akeelah and the Bee, eventually becoming her friend (and subsequent love interest) in the film after extending an invitation to both his birthday party and middle school spelling club.[2][3]
2007–2014: Transition to adult roles
[edit]In 2007, Villarreal appeared on procedural CSI: Miami before reuniting with Akeelah star Laurence Fishburne in the film adaptation of Don Winslow's 1997 novel The Death and Life of Bobby Z, appearing as the title character's son, Kit.[4] In 2011, Villarreal starred in film Magic City Memoirs as Mikey Acosta, a star high school baseball prospect in his senior year trying to navigate amongst the pressures and temptations of the Miami.[5] The film premiered at the Miami International Film Festival, winning the Pursuit of Perfection Award, before later premiering on streaming service Netflix in 2015. In 2013, Villarreal appeared in independent horror-comedy Ghost Team One as Brad, a college-aged roommate in a house thought to be haunted.[6]
2015–present: Sitcoms, Black Scorpion, Freeridge & Landman
[edit]While moving to behind-the-scenes roles as a producer on film projects such as An American in Texas and Scumbags, Villarreal recurred on multiple television series: High & Mighty, Netflix' Medal of Honor, and ABC family sitcom United We Fall, which lasted for one season.[7]
In 2022, Villarreal was cast in the lead role as Black Scorpion / Cruz de la Vega on Disney Channel program Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion, a show recognized by critics for its meaningful celebration of cultural heritage and the customs of the Mexican American community. The show remained on the network for 16 episodes.[1] He would next recur as comedic relief Tio Tonio on Netflix' short-lived On My Block spin-off Freeridge.[8][9] Villarreal appeared as Juan "Cinco" Lopez, the underworld-dealing second husband of Latin vocalist Jenni Rivera in Jenni, a 2024 biopic about Rivera's life.[10]
In 2024, Villarreal received acclaim for his recurring arc as antagonist Manuel Lopez on Taylor Sheridan television drama Landman set in the Texas Oil fields.[11] He will next appear as Chino in 2025 thriller film The Low-End Theory.[12]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Senor White | ||
| 2005 | Harvest of Redemption | Young Oscar | |
| 2006 | Akeelah and the Bee | Javier Mendez | |
| 2007 | The Death and Life of Bobby Z | Kit | |
| 2011 | Magic City Memoirs | Mikey Acosta | |
| 2013 | Ghost Team One | Brad | |
| 2015 | Spare Parts | Hector | |
| 2017 | An American in Texas | Paul Villarreal | Co-Producer |
| Whiteblood | Rico | ||
| 2022 | Scumbags | Exec-Producer | |
| 2023 | The Uncanny | Terrence | |
| 2024 | Jenni | Juan 'Cinco' Lopez | |
| 2025 | The Low-End Theory | Chino |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Without a Trace | Nelson Rodriguez | Episode: "A Tree Falls" |
| 2004 | Cold Case | Boy #2 | Episode: "The Plan" |
| 2005 | Strong Medicine | Marcos Garcia | Episode: "Promising Treatment" |
| House | Manny | Episode: "Humpty Dumpty" | |
| Ghost Whisperer | Joseph Borgia | Episode: "On the Wings of a Dove" | |
| 2007 | CSI: Miami | Ben Tavez | Episode: "No Man's Land" |
| 2013 | Chamacas | Episode: "Bikini Line" | |
| The Bridge | Mando | Episode: "The Beast" | |
| 2014 | Nights with Platanito | Himself | Guest Appearance (2 episodes) |
| 2017 | High & Mighty | Hugo | Recurring (7 episodes) |
| 2018 | Medal of Honor | Justin Gallegos / Gallegos | Recurring (2 episodes) |
| 2020 | United We Fall | Felix Rodriguez | Recurring (3 episodes) |
| 2022 | Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion | Black Scorpion / Cruz de la Vega | Lead role (16 episodes) |
| 2023 | Freeridge | Tio Tonio | Recurring (7 episodes) |
| 2024 | Landman | Manuel Lopez | Recurring (4 episodes) |
References
[edit]- ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Chang, Justin (March 20, 2006). "Akeelah and the Bee". Variety. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Leydon, Joe (October 9, 2007). "Bobby Z". Variety. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Martin, Lydia (January 3, 2010). "'Magic City Memoirs' is youthful filmmakers' tribute to Miami" (PDF). The Miami Herald. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Berkshire, Geoff (October 15, 2013). "Film Review: 'Ghost Team One'". Variety. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ "'Scandal' star Guillermo Diaz explains why he left drama behind for new sitcom 'United We Fall'". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ "Solve the Mystery of Who's Who on 'Freeridge'". Netflix Tudum. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (November 27, 2023). "Sidney Flanigan Boards Indie Thriller 'The Low End Theory'". Deadline. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2024.