Fernando Marrero looks like a natural fit for action roles. But fighting is not the part of life he values most. When Shoutout LA asked what made him proud, he said, “I’m most proud of FATHERHOOD.”

His answer says a lot about him. Marrero has worked in the military, MMA, pro wrestling, stunt work, and acting. He has also spoken about poverty, injuries, homelessness, and raising two sons as a young single father.

Today, Fernando Marrero is known for playing Screech in Happy Gilmore 2. His acting work grew from years of fight training in Los Angeles. Combat sports gave him skills that later helped him in wrestling, stunt work, and film.

Quick Bio

Philadelphia Roots and the Move West

Marrero has called himself a kid from the streets of Philadelphia. He moved to Los Angeles in 2002. His better known film and TV work came much later.

Marrero has also said that he served in the military. That part of his life came before MMA, pro wrestling, acting, and stunt work. Each stage gave him new skills that he later used on screen.

Life in Los Angeles was not always easy. Marrero has spoken about poverty, injuries, and times when he was homeless. He was also raising two sons as a young single father. By 2022, both sons were adults.

Why Does Fatherhood Matter So Much?

Marrero grew up without a father. He has said this shaped the way he raised his own children. When he became a parent, he wanted to give his sons the support he did not have as a child.

Fatherhood became a major part of his life. Marrero called it both a privilege and an obligation. His children depended on him, and he took that role seriously.

His son Jonovan Smith later spoke about growing up with Marrero. In a 2023 interview, Jonovan said his father “raised me tough.” He also watched his father train for MMA. Marrero let his sons try wrestling, jiu jitsu, and other grappling sports.

Marrero had to balance training with family life. Injuries could stop him from fighting. Acting auditions could end without a job. Small screen roles also gave no promise of steady work. Still, he kept training and taking new chances.

The MMA Record Behind the Actor

Before acting became his main work, Fernando Marrero fought as a professional mixed martial artist. Sherdog lists his record as 10 wins and 2 losses. He fought at light heavyweight and trained with Black House MMA.

Five of his wins came by knockout or technical knockout. Four ended by submission. One went to a decision. Both of his recorded losses came by knockout or technical knockout.

Some fights ended in less than a minute. On March 25, 2017, Marrero stopped Jonah Williams with punches in only 12 seconds. On November 11, 2017, he submitted Lonnie Holmes with a guillotine in 32 seconds. One month later, he beat Terrance Smith by rear naked choke in 33 seconds.

Profiles of Marrero also describe him as a two time Gladiator Challenge world champion. He fought many of his professional bouts under that promotion. His full pro record finished at 10 wins and 2 losses.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Black House MMA

Marrero spent years building his grappling skills. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor Ricardo Wilke. Wilke trained under respected names in BJJ, including Renato Magno.

Marrero and Wilke also trained with Xande Ribeiro. Ribeiro is one of the best known names in competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Marrero also entered BJJ events and earned success in the sport.

BJJ later helped him with stunt work. The sport teaches balance, body control, grip work, and close contact. Film fights use planned moves and strict safety rules. But Marrero already knew how to move with another person during physical action.

What Did Pro Wrestling Add?

MMA and pro wrestling may look similar, but they serve different goals. MMA fighters try to defeat an opponent. Pro wrestlers must perform moves in a way that looks clear and exciting to the crowd.

Marrero trained at Knokx Pro Wrestling Academy. His trainers included Rikishi, also known as Solofa Fatu Jr., Reno Anoa’i, and Gangrel, whose real name is David Heath.

Pro wrestling taught Marrero timing and body control. It also taught him how to react for an audience and work safely with another performer. Those lessons later helped with stunt scenes and acting jobs.

Building Film and Stunt Credits

Many of Marrero’s early screen roles used his physical skills. In Sandy Wexler, the 2017 Adam Sandler comedy, he appeared as a professional wrestler. He also worked on the film as a stunt performer.

Fernando Marrero later moved into more TV and film work. He played Rod in grown-ish and appeared as a baker in Superstore. His stunt credits also include The Rookie: Feds.

His film career grew one job at a time. He worked in short films, TV episodes, fan films, and stunt roles. He also kept going to auditions. In a 2022 interview, Marrero spoke about staying ready for the next acting chance.

Cannes and Independent Film Work

In 2018, Marrero went to the Cannes Film Festival with Black Lightning: Tobias’s Revenge. The fan film appeared at the Cannes Short Film Corner. Marrero worked as both an actor and stunt performer on the project.

At Cannes, he was registered in the Marché du Film as an actor and producer. After returning to Los Angeles, he kept studying acting. His training included Choice Skinner’s Breaking Through Acting Workshop and Zak Barnett Studios.

Marrero also worked on several independent projects. They include Welcome to the Sting, The S.I.N.S, and Triggered, a Cinematic Superhero Fan Film. In Triggered, he played Wolverine. The role made good use of his combat background.

Night Court and Wider TV Work

Marrero reached network TV in January 2023. He played Arlo in the pilot of NBC’s Night Court revival. The episode aired on January 17, 2023.

The role was different from his fight based work. Night Court is a comedy, so the part called for timing and quick reactions. It gave Marrero a chance to work outside action and stunt roles.

He also appeared in Mickey Hardaway as an office executive. These parts added more range to his acting credits. They showed that casting teams did not only see him as a fighter or stunt performer.

How Did Happy Gilmore 2 Change His Profile?

Fernando Marrero reached his widest audience with Happy Gilmore 2. He played Screech, a member of the Maxi Golf team. Netflix released the comedy in 2025.

Adam Sandler returned as Happy Gilmore. The movie also featured actors, athletes, musicians, and other famous guests. Marrero entered the film with an earlier link to Sandler through Sandy Wexler.

That first Sandler film came out in 2017. Eight years later, Marrero returned with a named role in Happy Gilmore 2. Screech gave him much more screen recognition than many of his earlier parts.

Marrero said the role meant a lot to him because he grew up watching the first Happy Gilmore. He also said, “I love pushing myself in new directions.” On July 21, 2025, he attended the film’s New York premiere.

Acting and Stunt Work After the Fight Career

Leaving professional MMA did not mean leaving combat skills behind. Marrero still uses his fight training in stunt work. His BJJ background helps with balance and close body movement.

IMDb lists Fernando Marrero as an actor, stunt performer, and producer. On Happy Gilmore 2, he played Screech and also worked as a stunt performer and driving double.

Marrero also appears as Sim in Welcome to the Sting. The short was released on March 5, 2026. The project continued his work in independent film after the success of Happy Gilmore 2.

Career Facts

• The Philadelphia Bad Ass is Marrero’s fight nickname.
• 10 wins and 2 losses is his professional MMA record.
• Five professional wins came by knockout or technical knockout.
• Four wins came by submission.
• One win came by decision.
• Black House MMA is listed as his MMA team.
• A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt came under Professor Ricardo Wilke.
• BJJ training included work with Xande Ribeiro.
• Knokx Pro Wrestling Academy was his wrestling school.
• Trainers included Rikishi, Reno Anoa’i, and Gangrel.
• Night Court cast him as Arlo in 2023.
• Happy Gilmore 2 cast him as Screech in 2025.
• Marrero has two adult sons.
• @team_pba is his listed public social handle.

FAQs

Who is Fernando Marrero?

Fernando Marrero is an actor, stunt performer, producer, and former MMA fighter from Philadelphia. He is known for playing Screech in Happy Gilmore 2, appearing as Arlo in Night Court, and finishing his MMA career with 10 wins and 2 losses.

Was Fernando Marrero really an MMA fighter?

Yes. Sherdog lists his professional MMA record as 10 wins and 2 losses. Five wins came by knockout or technical knockout, four by submission, and one by decision.

What martial art black belt does Fernando Marrero hold?

Marrero holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor Ricardo Wilke. He also trained with respected BJJ champion Xande Ribeiro.

Who did Fernando Marrero play in Happy Gilmore 2?

Fernando Marrero played Screech in the 2025 Netflix movie Happy Gilmore 2. He also worked on the film as a stunt performer and driving double.

Did Fernando Marrero work with Adam Sandler before Happy Gilmore 2?

Yes. Marrero appeared as a professional wrestler in Sandy Wexler in 2017. He later worked with Adam Sandler again in Happy Gilmore 2 as Screech.