J. R. Villarreal

J. R. Villarreal (born September 28, 1992) is an American actor, producer, and second-line director, best known for his roles as Javier in the 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

Early career: Akeelah and the Bee

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. 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.

2007–2014: Transition to adult roles

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. 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 Miami. 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.

2015–present: Sitcoms, Black Scorpion , Freeridge & Landman

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.

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. He would next recur as comedic relief Tio Tonio on Netflix' short-lived On My Block spin-off Freeridge. 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.

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. He will next appear as Chino in 2025 thriller film The Low-End Theory, as series regular Azul in Sheridan Yellowstone spin-off series Dutton Ranch (set to debut in 2026 on streaming service Paramount+), and in an undisclosed role in sci-fi film Sky Valley.

Filmography

Film

Television