Juan Pablo Raba, a Colombian actor and model, began his career making waves in the telenovela world before transitioning into international fame through film and television. Born on January 14, 1977, in Bogotá, Colombia, Juan Pablo Raba spent his early years in the capital city until his parents’ divorce led him to move to Spain with his father. While he initially pursued a degree in advertising at university, Juan Pablo Raba ultimately left college without graduating and made his way to Argentina. Unfortunately, work opportunities were scarce there, so he returned to Colombia—where things started to look up.
It was back home that Juan Pablo Raba began working as a model, gradually building his presence in the entertainment industry. One day, while accompanying a friend to an acting class, he caught the attention of renowned instructor Edgardo Roman, who saw potential in him and encouraged Juan Pablo Raba to give acting a try. That chance moment turned out to be life-changing. He quickly developed a passion for the craft and decided to take it seriously, eventually traveling to New York to study at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Institute—a move that would shape his future.
After honing his skills abroad, Juan Pablo Raba returned to Colombia and landed his first major role in the telenovela “Amor en forma” (Channel One, 1998–99), where he co-starred and made a strong impression. Following that, he appeared in a smaller role on “Marido y mujer” (Caracol Television, 1999), but it wasn’t long before he secured his first leading part in “La Reina de Queens” (Channel One, 2000). From there, his star began to rise steadily.
The real breakthrough came when Juan Pablo Raba portrayed Alejandro in the Venezuelan telenovela “La Niña de mis Ojos” (RCTV, 2001–02). His performance captivated audiences across Latin America and beyond, turning him into an international sensation. This success opened doors to more roles on RCTV, including appearances in popular series like “Mi Gorda Bella” (2002) and “Estrambótica Anastasia” (2004). Eventually, Juan Pablo Raba returned to Colombia to work on projects such as the series “Por amor a Gloria” (Caracol Television, 2005), the film “Una abuela virgen” (2007), and the TV movie “Soltera y sin compromiso” (Caracol Television, 2006).
While already well-known in the Spanish-speaking world, Juan Pablo Raba achieved broader global recognition in 2015 thanks to a string of high-profile roles. He played a key part in the dramatic retelling of a real-life survival story, starring in “The 33” (2015), which brought him to the attention of international audiences. Around the same time, he joined the cast of the Marvel series “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (ABC, 2013–), further expanding his reach. But perhaps his most notable role came when he was cast as Gustavo Gaviria in the critically acclaimed Netflix series “Narcos” (2015–), a performance that solidified Juan Pablo Raba’s status as a versatile and compelling actor on the global stage.
Building on this momentum, Juan Pablo Raba took on his first American series regular role in the military drama “Six” (History Channel, 2017–), marking yet another milestone in his evolving career. Through dedication, talent, and a bit of serendipity, Juan Pablo Raba has successfully navigated multiple entertainment industries, earning respect and admiration along the way.
When it comes to Juan Pablo Raba’s film career, one standout performance comes from The 33 (2015), which is widely regarded as his highest-rated movie. Critics and audiences alike praised the film for its powerful storytelling and emotional depth, with Juan Pablo Raba delivering a compelling portrayal that truly resonated. On the other end of the spectrum, his role in Imprisoned (2018) received notably lower ratings, making it his least acclaimed film to date. While Juan Pablo Raba brought intensity to the character, the movie itself didn’t achieve the same level of success or recognition. Overall, Juan Pablo Raba has shown range across different genres, but it’s clear that projects like The 33 highlight his strongest performances.