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Meet José Balmaceda Riera, the Father Behind Pedro Pascal’s Success

Published

40 minutes ago

14 July 2026

Have you ever wondered who helped shape one of Hollywood’s biggest stars? Many people know Pedro Pascal from hit shows like The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, and Game of Thrones. But behind his success is a man with a remarkable life story—José Balmaceda Riera.

José Balmaceda Riera is much more than Pedro Pascal’s father. He is a Chilean fertility doctor whose life has been filled with hard work, difficult choices, family challenges, and moments that changed history. From escaping a military dictatorship to building a medical career in the United States, his journey is both inspiring and complex.

His story also shows how one family’s courage changed the future for the next generation. If José and his wife had not made the brave decision to leave Chile in the 1970s, Pedro Pascal’s life may have looked very different.

In this article, you will learn about José Balmaceda Riera’s early life, education, marriage, family, medical career, the political events that forced his family to flee Chile, and the life lessons that continue to shape the Pascal family today.

Who Is José Balmaceda Riera?

José Balmaceda Riera

José Balmaceda Riera is a Chilean doctor who became well known because he is the father of award-winning actor Pedro Pascal. Long before his son’s acting career began, José had already built a respected career in medicine. He spent many years helping couples who wanted to have children through fertility treatment.

According to widely shared public information, José Balmaceda Riera was born on 22 August 1948 in Santiago, Chile. He grew up in a family with strong European roots. His mother, Juana “Juanita” Riera Bauzá, came from a family connected to Palma de Mallorca in Spain. Some reports also describe the Balmaceda family as having Castilian-Basque ancestry.

His parents were José Francisco Balmaceda Vergara and Juana Riera Bauzá. Public records also mention sisters named Ana María Balmaceda Riera and Teresa Paulina Balmaceda Riera. While José has mostly stayed away from public attention, his family’s history has become more widely known through Pedro Pascal’s interviews.

Today, many people search for José Balmaceda Riera because they want to understand the family behind Pedro Pascal. His story includes medicine, politics, immigration, family life, and personal strength. These experiences helped shape not only his own life but also the lives of his children.

José Balmaceda Riera’s Early Life and Education

José Balmaceda Riera spent his early years in Santiago, the capital of Chile. Although little has been shared publicly about his childhood, it is clear that education played an important role in his life. He chose a path that required years of study, discipline, and dedication.

As a young man, José studied medicine and later specialized in reproductive health. He trained to become a fertility doctor, also known as a reproductive endocrinologist. His work focused on helping people who struggled to have children, making a real difference in many families’ lives.

His medical knowledge opened many professional doors. Over time, he earned opportunities to work outside Chile, allowing him to build an international career. His success as a doctor showed his commitment to science, patient care, and improving people’s lives.

Even years later, Pedro Pascal has spoken about growing up in a family that valued learning. José and his wife believed education came first. Their children were encouraged to study hard while also enjoying books, movies, and creative interests.

Marriage to Verónica Pascal Ureta

José Balmaceda Riera married Verónica Pascal Ureta, a child psychologist who shared his love of education and helping others. Both were highly educated professionals who believed in giving their children opportunities to learn and grow.

Verónica also came from a family connected to Chile’s political history. She was related to Andrés Pascal Allende, whose family had close ties to former Chilean President Salvador Allende. Even though José and Verónica were not political leaders themselves, they lived during one of Chile’s most difficult periods.

Together, José and Verónica built a loving family. They welcomed four children over the years. Their oldest daughter, Javiera Balmaceda Pascal, was born in 1972, followed by Pedro in 1975. After moving to the United States, they welcomed Nicolás in 1987 and Lux in 1992.

Family life was important to both parents. They supported learning, respected hard work, and encouraged their children to follow their dreams. Pedro has often remembered that his parents expected good grades but also allowed their children to enjoy movies and television as long as school remained the top priority.

Their home was filled with learning, conversation, and curiosity. Looking back, Pedro has shared that both of his parents shaped the person he would later become.

Why José Balmaceda Riera’s Family Left Chile

One of the biggest turning points in José Balmaceda Riera’s life happened during Chile’s military dictatorship under General Augusto Pinochet. The political situation became dangerous for many families, including José and Verónica.

Pedro Pascal has explained that his parents were not revolutionaries. Instead, they were young, liberal university students who believed in helping others. Their lives changed after a priest brought an injured man from the opposition movement to their home. Because José was a doctor in training, he treated the man’s gunshot wound.

José and Verónica also agreed to hide the injured man for a short time. When authorities later captured him, they began searching for everyone who had helped. That placed José and Verónica in serious danger.

To protect themselves and their young family, they went into hiding for about six months. Eventually, they reached the Venezuelan Embassy in Santiago, where they were granted political asylum. It was a life-changing moment that gave them hope for a safer future.

The family first moved to Denmark as political refugees. They did not stay there for long before moving to the United States, where they hoped to build a new life far from political violence. Pedro was only about nine months old during this journey, making him one of the youngest members of the family to experience this dramatic change.

The courage shown by José Balmaceda Riera and Verónica during those difficult months later became one of the stories Pedro Pascal speaks about with the greatest respect. During his 2023 Saturday Night Live opening monologue, he thanked his parents for their bravery and said that without them, he would never have had the life and career he enjoys today.

Building a New Life in America

After spending a short time in Denmark, José Balmaceda Riera and his family settled in San Antonio, Texas. Starting over in a new country was not easy, but they worked hard to build a stable life. Like many immigrant families, they had to adjust to a different language, culture, and way of living while keeping their Chilean roots alive.

José continued his medical career in the United States, and the family slowly found a new routine. They enjoyed simple moments together, such as going to basketball games, watching movies, and learning about American culture. Pedro has shared that his father loved films, so movie trips became a regular family activity. Those experiences sparked Pedro’s lifelong love of acting and storytelling.

José Balmaceda Riera’s Medical Career

After settling in the United States, José Balmaceda Riera continued building his medical career. He became a fertility doctor and focused on helping couples who wanted to have children. His work was in reproductive medicine, a field that helps people facing fertility problems.

Over the years, he became known as a reproductive endocrinologist. This type of doctor studies hormones and treats fertility issues in both men and women. His work gave hope to many families who dreamed of becoming parents.

José later worked at the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine). He served as a fertility specialist and helped lead a reproductive health clinic. Before any public controversy, he had built a strong reputation as a skilled doctor who worked in a growing area of medicine.

His career showed years of study, training, and dedication. While many people know him today because of Pedro Pascal, José Balmaceda Riera had already made a name for himself in medicine long before his son became famous.

The UC Irvine Investigation and Its Impact

In 1995, José Balmaceda Riera’s career entered a difficult chapter. He and several partners became part of an investigation connected to the UC Irvine fertility clinic. The case received a great deal of media attention.

The investigation included allegations that frozen embryos had been switched without patients’ permission. There were also tax-related accusations and other claims connected to the clinic. José denied medical wrongdoing throughout the investigation.

Although the legal situation brought public attention, it also deeply affected the family. During this time, José and Verónica decided to return to Chile with their younger children, Nicolás and Lux. Pedro remained in the United States to continue following his dream of becoming an actor.

Pedro has later described this period as one of the hardest times of his life. In interviews, he said that everything changed very quickly. The family home in California was suddenly gone, and the sense of safety he had always known disappeared.

At the same time, his parents’ marriage was going through serious problems. Pedro has shared that watching his family struggle during those years was painful. It taught him that life can change without warning and that strength often comes from facing difficult moments.

José Balmaceda Riera’s Family and Children

José Balmaceda Riera and Verónica Pascal Ureta raised four children who each followed different paths in life. Even though they grew up in different countries, the family has remained close through the years.

Their oldest child, Javiera Balmaceda Pascal, was born in Chile in 1972. She built a successful career in television and film production. She has worked with major entertainment companies and later became Head of Local Originals for Latin America at Amazon MGM Studios.

Their second child, Pedro Pascal, was born in Santiago, Chile, on 2 April 1975. He later became one of Hollywood’s most popular actors through roles in Game of Thrones, Narcos, The Mandalorian, The Last of Us, and many other films and television series.

Their third child, Nicolás Balmaceda Pascal, chose a very different career. Instead of acting, he followed a medical path much like his father. Pedro once proudly shared that Nicolás was studying for a PhD in pediatric neurology and loved helping children more than seeking public attention.

The youngest child, Lux Pascal, was born in the United States in 1992 before the family returned to Chile. She became an actress and later graduated from the Juilliard School. Lux also became a well-known transgender activist after publicly sharing her journey in 2021.

Pedro has always shown strong support for his siblings. When Lux came out as transgender, he proudly shared her magazine cover on social media with the loving words, “My sister, my heart, our Lux.” His close relationship with all three siblings shows how important family remains to the Balmaceda Pascal family.

Pedro Pascal’s Relationship With His Father

Pedro Pascal has often spoken warmly about José Balmaceda Riera. One of his favorite childhood memories is going to the movies with his father. José loved films, and those movie trips helped Pedro fall in love with acting from a young age.

The family also enjoyed basketball games, concerts, and time together. Pedro has said that his parents wanted their children to enjoy life, but education always came first. If his grades dropped, television and movies became much less important.

During his 2023 Saturday Night Live opening monologue, Pedro publicly thanked both of his parents. He told the audience that they were brave people and said that without them, he would never have been able to build a life in America or stand on that famous stage.

Pedro’s relationship with his mother was especially close, but he has continued showing respect for his father as well. In recent years, José Balmaceda Riera has appeared with Pedro and Lux at major public events, including the London premiere of Gladiator II in 2024.

One of the biggest ways Pedro honored his family was by changing his professional name. Born José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal, he later chose to use his mother’s surname, Pascal, after her death. He has explained that it felt like the name that truly belonged to him and allowed him to keep her memory close every day.

José Balmaceda Riera’s Life Today and Legacy

After returning to Chile in the mid-1990s, José Balmaceda Riera continued living there. Public reports suggest that he remained connected to the medical field while also enjoying a quieter life away from the spotlight.

Today, he is mostly known because of Pedro Pascal’s worldwide success. Even so, his own life story stands on its own. He experienced political unrest, started over in a new country, built a respected medical career, faced public challenges, and continued supporting his family through many changes.

His story is also a reminder of how one decision can shape future generations. By leaving Chile during dangerous political times, José and Verónica gave their children the chance to grow up in a safer environment with new opportunities.

Even after difficult years, the family has stayed connected. Pedro often speaks proudly about his parents’ courage, his siblings’ achievements, and the values he learned while growing up. Those lessons continue to guide his life and career.

José Balmaceda Riera’s legacy is not only found in medicine. It also lives on through the lives of his children, who have each built meaningful careers while staying proud of their Chilean roots and family history.

Bottom Line

José Balmaceda Riera’s life is about much more than being Pedro Pascal’s father. He is a doctor, a husband, a father, and a man who lived through major political and personal challenges. His journey took him from Chile to Denmark, then to the United States, and later back to Chile.

His story includes success, difficult moments, and important life lessons. From helping patients as a fertility doctor to raising four successful children, José’s life shows the value of courage, education, and never giving up during hard times.

Although public attention often focuses on Pedro Pascal, learning about José Balmaceda Riera helps us better understand the family that shaped one of today’s most respected actors. His story reminds us that behind every successful person, there are often parents whose choices quietly changed the future.

(FAQs)

Who is José Balmaceda Riera?

José Balmaceda Riera is a Chilean fertility doctor and reproductive endocrinologist. He is best known as the father of actor Pedro Pascal.

What is José Balmaceda Riera known for?

He is known for his work in fertility medicine, his family’s escape from Chile during the Pinochet dictatorship, and his connection to Pedro Pascal.

Why did José Balmaceda Riera leave Chile?

He and his wife became political refugees after helping an injured opposition supporter during Chile’s military dictatorship. They later received asylum and moved to Denmark before settling in the United States.

What happened at the UC Irvine fertility clinic?

In 1995, José was investigated along with others in connection with the UC Irvine fertility clinic. The case included allegations involving frozen embryos and other claims. José denied medical wrongdoing.