Sam Morelos became widely recognized after landing the role of Nikki Velasco in Netflix’s That ’90s Show, but their career had already started much earlier through musical theater and performing arts. Born on July 7, 2005, in Los Angeles, California, Morelos developed an interest in performing at a very young age and eventually moved from theater into screen acting.
Today, Sam Morelos is known for working across television and film, with credits that include That ’90s Show, Descendants: The Rise of Red, Summer of 69, and Regretting You. Their career has developed quickly, giving audiences a chance to see them in both comedy and drama.
Who Is Sam Morelos?
Sam Morelos is an American actor, director, and producer who gained mainstream attention through That ’90s Show. The Netflix series, a continuation of the world established by That ’70s Show, introduced Morelos to a large international audience through the character Nikki Velasco. IMDb lists That ’90s Show as one of Morelos’ major credits, alongside Summer of 69 and Regretting You.
Morelos is also a first-generation Filipino American. Their background has become an important part of their public story, particularly as they have taken on characters that allow Filipino-American representation to appear naturally within mainstream entertainment. The Echo Theater Company describes Morelos as a first-generation Filipino American performer with experience in acting, producing, and theater.
How Old Is Sam Morelos?
Sam Morelos was born on July 7, 2005, in Los Angeles, California. That makes them 21 years old in 2026. Their relatively young age is notable considering how quickly their professional résumé has developed.
Rather than entering the entertainment industry suddenly as a teenager, Morelos spent years developing performance skills before receiving their first major screen opportunity. Their early theater experience helped establish a foundation that later became useful for television and film.
Sam Morelos’ Early Life and Theater Background
Morelos began performing in musical theater when they were very young. According to the Echo Theater Company, their performing background included theater work before they became known for television. They also studied at the California School of the Arts–San Gabriel Valley, where they developed their acting skills and gained additional stage experience.
Their connection with theater remained important even after television opportunities began arriving. Morelos has discussed how seeing Wicked at a young age had a major influence on their interest in performance. That early theater experience helped shape their understanding of acting as a craft rather than simply a route to television fame.
Sam Morelos in That ’90s Show
The role that changed Morelos’ career was Nikki Velasco in That ’90s Show. The Netflix sitcom premiered in 2023 and brought together a new generation of teenage characters while maintaining connections to the original That ’70s Show universe.
Morelos appeared as Nikki across the series, with IMDb crediting them in 26 episodes between 2023 and 2024. Nikki is presented as an intelligent and ambitious young woman with plans for her future, making the character more than simply a member of the show’s teenage friend group.
The series gave Morelos their first major on-screen role and introduced them to viewers around the world. The Echo Theater Company also describes Nikki as Morelos’ first on-screen role.
Sam Morelos in Descendants: The Rise of Red
In 2024, Morelos appeared in Disney’s Descendants: The Rise of Red. The film expanded the Descendants universe with a new generation of characters and performers.
Morelos played Meadow in the finished film. Their appearance gave them experience working within a major Disney franchise after their breakout television role in That ’90s Show. This also helped broaden their résumé beyond traditional sitcom comedy.
Sam Morelos’ Role in Summer of 69
One of Morelos’ most significant movie opportunities came with Summer of 69, a 2025 comedy directed by Jillian Bell. Morelos plays Abby Flores, a high-school senior who is trying to navigate relationships, confidence, friendship, and the uncertainty that comes with growing up.
The role represented an important transition from television to feature films. Morelos was no longer appearing only as part of a large ensemble; they were taking on a central character in a feature comedy.
In an interview with CherryPicks, Morelos described Abby as awkward, colorful, and someone trying to understand who she really is. They also discussed the importance of friendship and self-acceptance within the story.
Sam Morelos and Filipino-American Representation
Morelos has spoken about their Filipino-American identity and representation in entertainment. Their background also influenced Summer of 69. In the film, Abby’s Filipino heritage became part of the character after Morelos was cast.
This was significant because it allowed details of Filipino-American culture to appear naturally within the character’s family and home life. Morelos has emphasized the value of seeing different backgrounds represented on screen without making cultural identity the only defining feature of a character.
The Echo Theater Company likewise identifies Morelos as a first-generation Filipino American.
Sam Morelos in Regretting You
Morelos continued their film career with Regretting You, the 2025 adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel. They play Lexie in the film, which features an ensemble cast including Allison Williams, Mckenna Grace, Dave Franco, and Mason Thames.
The project gave Morelos an opportunity to move into a more dramatic type of story after the comedy of Summer of 69. Their growing filmography therefore includes different genres rather than keeping them associated with one particular type of role.
Sam Morelos’ Education and Acting Training
Morelos attended the California School of the Arts–San Gabriel Valley and developed their performance skills through theater. The Echo Theater Company also states that Morelos has trained at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting.
This combination of theater training and professional screen experience has given Morelos a broad foundation. Their background is particularly interesting because they continued formal acting development even after landing a major Netflix role.
Is Sam Morelos Nonbinary?
Sam Morelos identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns. They have discussed their experiences as a nonbinary performer and the complexities of working in an entertainment industry where actors can sometimes be perceived through traditional gender expectations.
Morelos has also played characters who are women, including Nikki and Abby. Their career demonstrates that an actor’s personal identity does not limit the range of characters they can portray.
What Is Sam Morelos Doing Now?
By 2026, Morelos had moved beyond the role that first made them recognizable. Their film credits include Summer of 69 and Regretting You, while their earlier television work in That ’90s Show remains an important part of their career.
Their career is therefore developing across multiple areas of entertainment. In addition to acting, Morelos has credits and experience connected with directing and producing. The Echo Theater Company notes their associate producing work as well as their theater background.
Sam Morelos’ Acting Style and Career Growth
One of the most interesting aspects of Morelos’ career is the variety of experiences they have gained at a young age. That ’90s Show required sitcom timing and ensemble chemistry, while Summer of 69 placed them in a feature comedy with a central role. Regretting You then offered another opportunity within a dramatic story.
Their theater background also remains visible in the way their career has developed. Rather than being associated exclusively with one television character, Morelos has gradually added different forms of work to their résumé.
Conclusion
Sam Morelos has built a promising entertainment career from a foundation in musical theater and formal acting training. Their breakthrough as Nikki Velasco in That ’90s Show introduced them to a worldwide Netflix audience, while later appearances in Descendants: The Rise of Red, Summer of 69, and Regretting You expanded their experience into feature films.
At 21, Morelos already has experience across television, movies, and theater, along with directing and producing work. Their Filipino-American background and nonbinary identity have also shaped the way they discuss representation and their experiences in entertainment. With their career continuing to develop beyond That ’90s Show, Sam Morelos is becoming a recognizable young performer with a growing and increasingly varied body of work.
