You’ve seen him before. Even if you couldn't quite place the name until now, Roberto Montesinos is one of those character actors who makes everything he’s in feel just a bit more authentic. He’s the guy who pops up in a gritty crime procedural or a major studio film and instantly grounds the scene.
But things changed recently. For years, he was the "hey, it's that guy" actor. Now, with a massive series regular role in one of the biggest streaming hits on the planet, people are finally googling Roberto Montesinos movies and tv shows to figure out where he came from.
The answer? He didn't start in Hollywood. He started in a nuclear reactor.
From the USS Arkansas to the Big Screen
Honestly, the coolest thing about Roberto isn't his IMDb page—it’s his life before it. He spent eight years in the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Program. We’re talking about the high-stakes world of running nuclear reactors on the USS Arkansas.
It's a weird pivot, right? Going from preventing a reactor meltdown to acting in New Girl. But Roberto has often said that the discipline of the Navy—where you have to repeat orders verbatim and function as a perfect unit—was actually the best training he could have had for a film set.
He didn't just jump into lead roles. He put in the work at the Beverly Hills Playhouse and hammered out guest spots for two decades.
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The Breakthrough: Reacher Season 3
If you're looking for the definitive entry in the list of Roberto Montesinos movies and tv shows, this is it. In early 2025, Roberto landed the role of Guillermo Villanueva in Reacher Season 3.
This isn't just a "one and done" guest appearance. Villanueva is a series regular. He’s a DEA agent who is supposed to be retiring. He’s "gruff but lovable," which is basically the sweet spot for Roberto’s acting style.
- The Character: Guillermo Villanueva, a veteran DEA agent.
- The Connection: He’s a mentor figure to DEA agent Susan Duffy (played by Sonya Cassidy).
- The Vibe: He brings a much-needed fatherly, steady energy to the chaos that Jack Reacher usually brings into town.
Working alongside Alan Ritchson, Roberto has become a fan favorite because he doesn't try to out-muscle the lead. He provides the soul.
Essential Roberto Montesinos Movies
While television has been his primary playground, his film credits include some heavy hitters. You might be surprised at how many times you’ve already watched him without realizing it.
We Bought a Zoo (2011)
In this Cameron Crowe film, Roberto had a pretty unique task: he played Hugo Chavez in a specific scene. It showed off his range and his ability to handle "big" personas even in a grounded family drama starring Matt Damon.
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Father Stu (2022)
He shared the screen with Mark Wahlberg in this faith-based biopic. It’s a gritty, honest movie, and Roberto fits right into that working-class aesthetic.
Gridiron Gang (2006)
Back in the mid-2000s, he appeared in this Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson football flick. It’s a classic of the "tough love" sports genre, and Roberto was part of the staff that helped build that world.
Bliss (2021)
This was a trippy sci-fi mind-bender on Amazon Prime starring Owen Wilson and Salma Hayek. Roberto had a supporting role here, proving he can do high-concept weirdness just as well as he does police dramas.
A Massive TV Résumé
If you’ve watched a major network show in the last 20 years, there is a 90% chance you’ve seen a Roberto Montesinos performance. He is a staple of the "Golden Age" of procedurals.
His early career was defined by shows like The Shield, where he played Felix Contreras. It was a recurring gig that put him on the map for casting directors. He then moved through the "Big Three" of TV drama:
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- NCIS: Los Angeles – Played Eduardo Banuelos in a high-tension episode.
- Criminal Minds – Appeared in Season 11 as part of a complex BAU investigation.
- 9-1-1: Lone Star – Had a memorable two-episode guest arc playing opposite Rob Lowe.
He’s also done comedy. Believe it or not, he was Manny in an episode of New Girl. Seeing a guy who usually plays DEA agents or tough guys deal with the antics of Zooey Deschanel and the gang is actually pretty great.
What's Next?
The momentum from Reacher is clearly shifting his career into a new gear. Being a series regular on a Prime Video flagship show usually leads to more "Series Regular" offers.
If you want to dive deeper into his work, start with his guest spots on Bosch or Southland. Those shows really highlight his ability to play characters with a history—men who look like they’ve seen some things and lived a full life before the camera started rolling.
Keep an eye on his upcoming projects in late 2025 and early 2026. Now that he’s part of the "Reacher-verse," the industry is finally seeing him as a leading presence rather than just a supporting player.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of Reacher, go back and watch his episodes in The Shield. It’s fascinating to see the 20-year evolution of his "tough but fair" screen presence. You can find most of his early procedural work streaming on Hulu or Paramount+.