Ariel Pacheco

Biography

Ariel Pacheco is an American actor, director, and editor known for his work in film and television. Born on May 13, 1986, in Elmhurst, Queens, New York, he was raised in the Elmhurst and Corona neighborhoods. He comes from a Dominican-American family and is one of four children. His parents, Luis Rolando Pacheco and Adalgisa Pacheco, were both originally from the Dominican Republic before moving to the United States.

Early Life and Education

Pacheco developed an interest in acting while growing up in New York. He attended LaGuardia Middle College High School in Long Island City, where he began developing his artistic interests. After completing high school, he enrolled at the City College of New York and studied theatre. During his time there, he performed in several stage productions, including Dog Sees God and De Donde.

In 2009, Pacheco was accepted into the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts in Chelsea. He graduated from the conservatory in 2011 and was selected as one of 20 students to perform before a panel of casting directors and agents during his final year.

Acting Career

After completing his formal training, Pacheco began appearing in independent films, television programs, and short films. He received one of his early leading roles in An Inappropriate Affect, released in 2015. He subsequently appeared in several projects, gradually expanding his television and film credits.

One of his notable film appearances came in the 2016 crime thriller Exposed, where he played Naldo and was credited as Ariel Rolando Pacheco. The film starred Keanu Reeves, Ana de Armas, Mira Sorvino, and Christopher McDonald.

Pacheco has also appeared in projects such as High Maintenance, Random Acts of Flyness, We Speak NYC, Latin Lives, They Exist, Sleeping Dogs, and 40-Love. His television work has allowed him to take on different characters across comedy, drama, and other genres.

Directing and Editing

In addition to acting, Pacheco has explored work behind the camera. He is credited as a director on short films including Last Call (2017) and The Right Path (2021).

 His involvement in directing and editing reflects his broader interest in filmmaking and storytelling beyond performing in front of the camera.