If you only know JD Pardo as the guy scowling from behind the handlebars of a Harley, you’re missing out. Most people recognize him as EZ Reyes. That’s the role that basically cemented him as a household name for anyone who loves gritty, high-stakes drama. But the truth is, his career didn't start with a biker vest, and it definitely didn't end when the Mayans M.C. series finale aired.
Honestly, Pardo has been one of those "working actors" for decades. You’ve probably seen him in ten different things without even realizing it was the same guy. He’s got this weirdly versatile energy—one minute he's a half-vampire in a YA blockbuster, and the next he's playing a tragic father in the Fast & Furious universe.
The EZ Reyes Era and the Biker Legacy
Let's get the big one out of the way. When we talk about jd pardo movies and tv shows, the conversation starts and ends with Mayans M.C. for a lot of fans.
Taking over the lead of a Sons of Anarchy spinoff was basically a suicide mission. The fans of the original show are intense. They wanted Jax Teller. Instead, they got EZ Reyes, a brilliant kid whose "American Dream" life got shredded by a single mistake. Pardo didn't just play a tough guy; he played a guy who was constantly mourning the person he could have been.
He actually had to go to "Harley School" in Glendale because he’d never ridden a motorcycle before the pilot. Can you imagine? Now, he’s basically the face of modern Latino biker culture on screen. He spent five seasons evolving EZ from a quiet prospect to a hardened, almost Shakespearean leader. It was exhausting to watch, in a good way.
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From Twilight to Toretto: The Surprising Movie Roles
The range here is actually kind of wild. If you look back at his filmography, you’ll find some real gems that feel completely different from his "tough guy" persona.
- The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012): Yeah, he was in Twilight. He played Nahuel, a half-vampire/half-human hybrid. It’s a small role, but it’s a massive piece of pop culture history.
- F9: The Fast Saga (2021): This was a huge moment. Pardo played Jack Toretto—the father of Dom and Jakob. He’s the guy whose death in a racing accident basically sets the entire multi-billion dollar franchise in motion.
- Road House (2024): He showed up in the Jake Gyllenhaal remake. He played Dell, a member of the local gang causing trouble. Spoiler: his character has a pretty gruesome run-in with a crocodile.
- The Contractor (2022): He shared the screen with Chris Pine in this black-ops thriller. It’s a tight, tense movie where he plays Eric, a former soldier.
He also had a role in Hypnotic (2023) alongside Ben Affleck. It’s one of those "don’t blink or you’ll miss the twist" sci-fi thrillers. Pardo plays Nicks, a detective caught up in a world where "hypnotics" can rewrite reality.
The "Must-Watch" TV Projects You Probably Skipped
Before he was leading his own show, JD Pardo was a staple of mid-2000s and early-2010s TV. Some of these are cult classics now.
Revolution is the big one. This was a J.J. Abrams-produced show where the power goes out globally. Pardo played "Nate Walker" (who was actually Jason Neville). He was the resident heartthrob/expert marksman. It was a huge hit for a minute, then it just... disappeared.
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Then there’s A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story. This was a 2006 Lifetime movie that was way ahead of its time. Pardo played Gwen Araujo, a transgender teenager who was brutally murdered. It was a transformative, heavy performance that showed he had serious dramatic chops long before he ever picked up a prop gun.
More recently, he's been popping up in The Terminal List on Amazon Prime. He plays an FBI agent named Tony Layun. It’s a recurring role, but he brings a grounded, procedural energy that balances out Chris Pratt’s more chaotic revenge mission.
What’s He Doing Now? (2025-2026 Update)
If you’re looking for his most recent work, keep an eye on High Potential on ABC.
It’s a crime dramedy starring Kaitlin Olson (who is hilarious). Pardo plays Tom, a former LAPD janitor turned nursing student. It’s a much softer, more romantic side of him than we’re used to seeing. It's refreshing, honestly. He’s not covered in grease or blood for once.
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Why JD Pardo Matters for the Future of Hollywood
He’s part of a generation of Latino actors who are finally being allowed to just be actors. He’s spoken before about how he never looked at jobs as a "diversity push." He just wanted the best stories.
Whether he’s playing a father in a massive blockbuster or a complex lead in a cable drama, he brings a specific kind of quiet intensity. He doesn't need to chew the scenery. He just stares you down.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see the full breadth of his talent, I’d suggest doing a "Pardo Triple Feature." Start with A Girl Like Me to see his vulnerability, move to Revolution for the sci-fi action, and finish with the first season of Mayans M.C. to see him take over a franchise. It’s a wild ride.
Check your streaming apps—most of these are currently on Hulu, Disney+, or Amazon Prime.