On the hit TV show “NCIS,” actor Wilmer Valderrama portrays Special Agent Nick Torres, who will show fans a dark side of himself in Season 24 as his undercover days resurface.
In Valderrama’s personal life, however, the USO Global Ambassador’s path is far from a dark one; in fact, he recently received the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award for his activism and volunteer work in the military community.
“[I] have felt very responsible for those who I entertain,” he said.
‘Doing the work’
The Points of Light Award is given to “celebrate individuals who demonstrate the transformative power of service and embody the belief … that every person has the ability to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” according to the Points of Light website.
Points of Light President and CEO Jennifer Sirangelo said Valderrama “exemplifies what it means to turn influence into meaningful impact.”
“These recognitions you never see coming… because you’re just doing the work,” Valderrama told Military Families Magazine. “You’re just hoping to do your part and hope that your part somehow can be a part of the ecosystem of things that are provided, that are offered, that are available to our military community, and I’ve been doing this for 20 plus years now.”
This award for service is not the only one he has received; last year, the father of two received the USO Merit Award. Even with two decades of volunteer work in the military community though, moments of recognition can still make him sentimental, and sometimes he must rely on his acting ability to keep a stoic face.
“One of the greatest joys for me was receiving the Merit Award from the USO Gala… that was incredibly humbling,” he said. “I had a tough time; I’m giving a speech, and I was like, ‘Don’t get emotional! Don’t get emotional!’ Because it was a room full of uniforms… everyone there was like three- and four-star generals, and I’m like, ‘I’m just gonna keep it together here!'”
On a serious note, Valderrama explained that the awards are tangible reminders of the people he’s met around the world.
“A lot of these accolades have been such homecoming for my heart… they remind me of all the miles traveled, they remind me of all the stories and all the handshakes,” he said.
“If the only thing people remember from me is that I flew to Iraq and Afghanistan to bring laughs, then I’m killing it … I’m really proud of all that work,” Valderrama added.
Using his voice is a ‘responsibility’
Even though he doesn’t routinely speak publicly about his work in the military community —Valderrama says “it’s such a personal thing for me”— he understands the power of using his platform to tell military stories. When asked about publicly showing multiple facets of himself in acting, advocacy and activism, he says it’s a “responsibility” as an artist.
“To me, a natural extension and expansion of what you do as an artist should be the [advocacy] work… because of the level of not just influence but amplifying [the] gift that we have,” he said. “We have such a stage to amplify it, and if we don’t use it, it’s kind of a shame to not show up for that. And the truth is, it’s how you use your platforms and how you use your stage that can really create a paradigm where things are possible, and the idea is to bring people together in consciousness and allow them to really thrive within their own interest.”
“I think the responsibility we have as artists and the gift we have to talk to so many should come with, you know, a level of engagement that goes beyond, ‘Thank you for watching,'” he said.
On Nov. 3, Valderrama will be the master of ceremonies for the Marine Corps Birthday Gala in New York City.
