J.R. Villarreal

J.R. Villarreal
Born (1992-09-28) September 28, 1992 (age 32)
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.

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 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]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref
2003 Senor White
2005 Harvest of Redemption Young Oscar
2006 Akeelah and the Bee Javier Mendez [3]
2007 The Death and Life of Bobby Z Kit [4]
2011 Magic City Memoirs Mikey Acosta [5]
2013 Ghost Team One Brad [6]
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 [7]
TBA The Low-End Theory Chino [8]

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref
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) [9]
2022 Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion Black Scorpion / Cruz de la Vega Lead role (16 episodes) [1]
2023 Freeridge Tio Tonio Recurring (7 episodes) [10][11]
2024 Landman Manuel Lopez Recurring (4 episodes) [12]

References

  1. ^ 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.
  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. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Berkshire, Geoff (October 15, 2013). "Film Review: 'Ghost Team One'". Variety. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "'Scandal' star Guillermo Diaz explains why he left drama behind for new sitcom 'United We Fall'". Entertainment Weekly.
  10. ^ "Solve the Mystery of Who's Who on 'Freeridge'". Netflix Tudum. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.