NCIS Star Wilmer Valderrama Opens Up About Sleep Training, Parenting, and Strengthening His Relationship
NCIS actor Wilmer Valderrama is getting real about the challenges and rewards of parenting. In a candid interview with Parents.com, the 41-year-old opened up about his journey with sleep training his daughter, Nakano, and how it impacted both his fatherhood and relationship with fiancée Amanda Pacheco.
Valderrama admitted he initially struggled with the idea of teaching a newborn to self-soothe. “It was tough,” he shared. “You feel guilty not rushing to comfort them.” But over time, his perspective shifted. He now calls sleep training an “empowering” step—one that not only helped Nakano rest better but allowed him and Amanda to reconnect as a couple. “It lets you focus on your partner and stay connected,” he explained. “That’s so important in parenthood.”
The couple welcomed Nakano in February 2021. Amanda chose to breastfeed, and Valderrama made sure to be hands-on in every way—handling diaper changes, tracking feedings, and ensuring Amanda stayed hydrated and supported. “There’s always something you can do,” he said, stressing the importance of being a present, helpful partner.
Wilmer and Amanda’s love story began three years ago through mutual friends while she was considering a move to Miami—Valderrama’s hometown after immigrating from Venezuela as a child. A life-changing trip to Japan brought them even closer, and on January 1, 2020, just nine months after they started dating, he proposed. Though the pandemic delayed their wedding plans, the arrival of baby Nakano on February 15, 2021, marked a beautiful new chapter.
From actor to father, Valderrama’s journey is a powerful reminder that parenting is about teamwork, communication, and growth—both as individuals and as a couple.
