We all know Pedro Pascal as the charming star of The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, and many other hit shows. But behind every star, there’s usually someone who helped them get there. For Pedro, one of those people is his father, José Balmaceda Riera.
José isn’t famous like his son, but his life story is powerful and full of surprising turns. He’s a Chilean doctor, a survivor, and a father who went through many struggles to protect his family. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at who José Balmaceda Riera is, what he went through, and how his choices helped shape Pedro Pascal’s journey.
Let’s begin with where it all started.
Who Is José Balmaceda Riera?
José Balmaceda Riera is a Chilean doctor who worked in the field of fertility medicine. He’s also known as the father of Pedro Pascal, one of today’s biggest Hollywood stars.
While Pedro is in the spotlight, José has lived most of his life away from the cameras. But that doesn’t mean his life was simple. In fact, it’s full of bold choices, difficult moments, and quiet strength. He was not just a doctor — he was also a political refugee, a father of four, and a man who faced serious challenges and kept going.
Pedro Pascal once said, “Without my parents, I wouldn’t be here in this amazing country.” That says a lot about how important José has been in Pedro’s life.
Pedro Pascal’s Father Had a Brave Past
Back in the 1970s, Chile was not a safe place for many families. The country was under the control of a military dictator named Augusto Pinochet, who came to power in 1973. Anyone who helped the opposition or went against the government could be in danger.
José Balmaceda Riera and his wife Verónica Pascal Ureta were young at the time. They were not part of any revolution, but they were kind-hearted and believed in helping others. One day, a priest brought a young man who had been shot — someone involved in the opposition — to their home. José, being a doctor, helped treat him.
This act of kindness put them in serious danger. Once the government found out, they started looking for José and Verónica. The couple had to go into hiding for six months with their baby Pedro and his older sister Javiera. It was a scary time, and they didn’t know what would happen next.
Why José Balmaceda Riera Fled Chile
After months in hiding, José and Verónica knew they had to get out. They found a way to enter the Venezuelan embassy in Santiago. From there, they were able to ask for help as political refugees.
Soon after, the family was granted asylum in Denmark. It was the first step toward building a new life far away from the fear and danger they faced in Chile.
Think about it: they had two small children, no idea what the future would bring, and yet they chose to start over in a new country. That takes a lot of courage. José Balmaceda Riera was not just running away — he was trying to give his family a safe and better future.
Starting Over as Political Refugees
Life in Denmark gave them safety, but it wasn’t their final stop. Soon after, José and Verónica moved their family to the United States, where they settled in San Antonio, Texas.
Starting over in a new country is never easy. They had to learn a new language, find jobs, and raise their children in a place very different from Chile. But they worked hard and stayed close as a family.
José began rebuilding his medical career, and the children, especially Pedro Pascal, began soaking in American culture. In fact, Pedro once said he grew up going to Spurs games, rock concerts, and movies — all things his father introduced him to. Going to the movies became a bonding activity between Pedro and José.
Life in the U.S. as Pedro Pascal’s Father
As things got better, José Balmaceda Riera got a job offer in California. The family moved again, this time to Orange County, where José continued his work as a doctor. His specialty was fertility medicine, helping families have children.
For Pedro and his sister, this was another big change. Moving schools, making new friends, and adjusting to a new life in California wasn’t easy. Pedro has said those early years in California were “really rough” because he got bullied a lot.
But even during those tough times, José supported his children. When Pedro showed an interest in acting, his mother enrolled him in a performing arts high school, and his father kept cheering him on. The love and support from José and Verónica helped Pedro find his path.
José Balmaceda Riera’s Medical Career
José was a highly trained doctor in reproductive medicine, and he worked at the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine). His work helped many couples struggling with fertility to start families of their own.
He had built a respected name for himself in the medical field. But things took a sudden turn in 1995 when José and some of his colleagues were caught in a major medical controversy.
This next part of his story is where things get more complicated — and that’s where we’ll continue in the second half of this article.
The UC Irvine Fertility Scandal
In 1995, José Balmaceda Riera found himself in serious trouble. While working at the UC Irvine fertility clinic, he and other doctors were accused of doing something very wrong — switching embryos without the consent of the parents.
This meant that couples who came in for help might not have received their own embryos. There were also claims of tax fraud and other issues. The case made headlines across the U.S., and it shocked many people.
José denied doing anything wrong. But the pressure was too much, and the situation became a huge scandal. For the safety and peace of the family, José and his wife Verónica decided to leave the U.S. and return to Chile with their two youngest children, Nicolás and Lux.
Return to Chile and Family Changes
Going back to Chile in 1995 wasn’t easy. The family had lived in the United States for nearly 20 years. Their life, friends, and home were all there.
José Balmaceda Riera hoped to rebuild his life in his home country, but the return came with challenges. Not just professional ones — also personal and emotional ones. José and Verónica’s marriage started to struggle. The stress from the scandal, the big move, and years of quiet tension all came to the surface.
Pedro and his older sister Javiera stayed in the U.S., while their younger siblings began a new life in Chile. The family became divided between two countries. Even though they were apart, Pedro stayed in touch and often visited.
The Tragic Death of Pedro Pascal’s Mother
Just a few years after returning to Chile, a very sad event changed everything. In 1999, Verónica Pascal Ureta — Pedro’s mother — died by suicide.
Pedro was only 24 years old at the time. He was just starting his acting career. The loss of his mother hit him hard. He later said in interviews that it was one of the most painful times in his life. He even admitted it was difficult to keep her memory without also remembering the sadness.
To honor her, Pedro made a personal choice. He dropped “Balmaceda” from his name and used “Pascal” — her last name — instead. That’s how the world came to know him as Pedro Pascal.
José Balmaceda Riera’s Children Today
Even after all the ups and downs, José Balmaceda Riera raised four children who are doing very well.
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Pedro Pascal became one of the most loved actors in the world. From Game of Thrones to The Last of Us, his career is filled with success.
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Javiera, Pedro’s older sister, works at Amazon Studios and helps create original shows and movies for Latin America.
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Nicolás, Pedro’s younger brother, works in medicine and is studying to become a pediatric neurologist.
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Lux, the youngest sibling, is an actress and transgender activist. She came out publicly in 2021 and has been celebrated for her strength and voice.
Despite the distance, the siblings remain close. Pedro often posts loving messages about them, showing how tight-knit the family is — even if life took them on different paths.
How José Helped Shape Pedro Pascal’s Life
Pedro often talks about his father with quiet respect. While José Balmaceda Riera may not be in the news, his role in Pedro’s life was big.
He gave his children the gift of curiosity, education, and art. Pedro said his love for movies came from going to the theater with his dad. They would go to watch films together, and that helped plant the first seeds of his passion for acting.
Even when times were hard — moving to new places, going through public scandal, and facing personal pain — José stood by his family. He taught his children what it means to keep going, no matter what.
Where Is José Balmaceda Riera Now?
Today, José Balmaceda Riera lives a quiet life away from the spotlight. He is no longer working in the public eye and rarely gives interviews. He sometimes appears in photos with his children at events — like the 2024 Gladiator II premiere in London, where he stood proudly beside Pedro and Lux.
Though his name is not famous like his son’s, José’s story is filled with strength, survival, and sacrifice. From treating a wounded man during a dangerous time in Chile to starting over in a new country — and then returning again — José has lived many lives in one.
His journey is part of what made Pedro Pascal the man he is today.
Final Thoughts
José Balmaceda Riera may not be a household name, but his story is powerful. He faced danger, escaped political trouble, started fresh in a new country, and later faced public scandal — all while raising four children who have grown into strong and successful adults.
Pedro Pascal often thanks his parents in public speeches. He once said on Saturday Night Live, “Without them, I wouldn’t be here in this wonderful country, and I certainly wouldn’t be standing here with you all tonight.”
That says it all.
Behind every star, there’s often a parent who sacrificed, struggled, and stood strong. In Pedro Pascal’s case, that parent is José Balmaceda Riera.
