NCIS star Wilmer Valderrama is melting hearts off-screen just as much as he does on it.
The actor recently opened up about fatherhood, revealing that he “literally” can’t leave for work until his young daughter tells him, “I love you.” Calling being a dad “incredible,” Wilmer shared that his toddler is now running around, learning fast — and keeping her parents on their toes.
“She mumbles, ‘I love you,’” he said, admitting that those three little words have become part of his daily ritual before heading out the door.
Wilmer and fiancée Amanda Pacheco welcomed their daughter in February 2021, and since then, life has clearly taken on a new meaning for the proud dad.
On screen, Wilmer plays Special Agent Nick Torres on NCIS, which recently returned with a crossover event featuring NCIS: Hawaii. In the premiere, the team worked to clear Special Agent Alden Parker’s name after he was falsely accused of murdering his former FBI partner — setting off a dramatic, action-packed storyline that bridged both series.
But while the drama unfolds on TV, it’s clear that Wilmer’s most important role is the one waiting for him at home.