By Kayla DeKraker
For NCIS actor Wilmer Valderrama, becoming a dad deeply changed the way he approaches his acting career.
“It hits so different doing this type of movie,” Valderrama told PEOPLE while on the ZOOTOPIA 2 red carpet. “It’s very different because at first, when I was doing the animation, I did it because I had a nephew was like, I don’t like what you’re watching on TV. I’m gonna do Handy Manny, right?”
Valderrama welcomed his second child, son Wolf Monte, in July with Amanda Pacheco. The couple also share 4-year-old daughter Nakano Oceana. Early in his career, Valderrama voiced Handy Manny, a bilingual Disney character, partly inspired by his nephew. He said his motivation was to make a show his nephew would enjoy.
“So, Handy Manny was something that I loved. It was the first time a bilingual character was on television and invited everyone to discover a beautiful culture, and I just love Disney,” he told PEOPLE.
He also voice acted Agustín in 2021’s ENCANTO, and the moment his daughter recognized his voice changed everything for him.
Related: Everything We Know About ZOOTOPIA 2
“My daughter started recognizing me in ENCANTO, so it just made it three times more emotional and if they call me to do anything Disney, I’m there,” he shared.
Valderrama shared how his daughter is adjusting to the family’s new addition.
“Oh, she’s awesome. She’s having a great time. She’s really about it. She loves her baby brother,” he said. “She goes to the grocery store, she’s putting stuff in the cart for him and so far so good. We’ll see what happens when he starts grabbing her toys.”
Valderrama plays Higgins in the ZOOTOPIA sequel, which released in theaters yesterday. He first announced his role in the movie last month.
“The hippo is out of the bag. I’m joining the Zootopia family as Higgins! 🦛 Watch #Zootopia2 only in theaters November 26th. Tickets are on sale now,” he wrote.
People in the comment section expressed excitement over the news. “Omggg this is soo awesome.. Here comes special agent Torres to Zootopia 😍😂” one person said referring to his role on NCIS.
Another person added, “HOLA HIGGINS.”
Movieguide® gave ZOOTOPIA 2 a +1 content score, praising its “Very strong allegorical Christian, moral worldview [that] extols sacrifice, agape love among disparate groups [and] doing the right thing.” Part of the review reads:
ZOOTOPIA 2 is an action packed, heartwarming fantasy adventure with loads of laughs and great animation. It has a strong allegorical Christian, moral worldview. It stresses doing the right thing, even if it means sacrificing your life, working together, seeking truth and justice, and overcoming differences through love. However, ZOOTOPIA 2 has a few implied adult jokes, two light profanities, and scary scenes of peril in the movie’s often exciting and comical action scenes. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger children. We suggest ages six and above are more appropriate.
ZOOTOPIA 2 will be the perfect Thanksgiving weekend movie for your family.
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