Vincent Vargas

Vincent "Rocco" Vargas (born July 15, 1981) is an American entertainer,^[2][3] producer and writer,^[4] known for Range 15, Mayans M.C., the MBest11x YouTube channel and the Vinny Roc podcast.

Vincent "Rocco" Vargas was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. After graduating from high school, Vargas enlisted in the United States Army in 2003. Vargas served as an infantryman in the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, one of the U.S. Army’s elite special operations units. During his time with the Ranger Regiment, he completed 3 combat deployments in support of military operations in the Middle East. Later in his military career, Vargas served as an Infantry Drill Sergeant, where he was responsible for training and mentoring new soldiers entering the United States Army. After completing his active duty service, Vargas continued his military involvement in the United States Army Reserve, holding the rank of Sergeant First Class. Following his transition from active duty military service, Vargas continued working in high risk operational environments. He worked in the private corrections sector, serving on a Special Operations Response Team, a unit responsible for responding to critical incidents and maintaining security within the prison system. He later joined the U.S. Border Patrol, where he served as a BORSTAR agent, participating in search, trauma, and rescue operations along the United States Mexico border. In 2015, Vargas left federal service to pursue opportunities in entertainment, media, and public speaking.^[1]

Following his military and law enforcement service, Vargas transitioned into the entertainment industry, pursuing work in film, television, and media. Drawing from his experiences in the military and public service, he began appearing in independent films, documentaries, and television productions that often focused on military themes and veteran culture. One of Vargas’s earliest film roles was in the military comedy Range 15 (2016), where he appeared alongside a cast composed largely of military veterans and personalities from the veteran community. He later appeared in the war documentary Not a War Story (2017), which examined the production of Range 15 and the experiences of veterans transitioning into creative fields. Vargas also appeared in the documentary film Dark of Light (2017), which followed American volunteer fighters supporting Kurdish forces during the war against ISIS in Syria. The film documented the experiences of foreign volunteers involved in the conflict and the broader geopolitical implications of the war. In 2018, Vargas joined the cast of the FX crime drama television series Mayans MC, a spin off of Sons of Anarchy. He portrayed Gilberto "Gilly" Lopez, a former special operations soldier and member of the Mayans Motorcycle Club. Vargas appeared as a main cast member throughout the series run from 2018 to 2023. His portrayal of Gilly became one of the show’s recurring characters, drawing on elements of Vargas’s own military background to inform the role. During the production of Mayans MC, Vargas also contributed creatively behind the scenes. He served as a writer during the fifth and final season of the series, marking his transition into television writing in addition to acting. In 2020, Vargas appeared in the feature film Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace, portraying the character Edgar Ruiz. The family drama centered on themes of forgiveness and redemption and was released during the holiday season.^[5] Beyond acting, Vargas has also worked as a producer and writer on several projects. He produced the documentary Not a War Story and later contributed writing and producing credits on the television series Office Joe. In addition to his acting and production work, Vargas has expanded into journalism and media. He hosts the podcast Borderland, produced by IRONCLAD, which examines issues related to border security, transnational criminal organizations, migration, and public policy affecting the United States Mexico border. The podcast features interviews with journalists, analysts, and law enforcement professionals discussing organized crime and immigration trends. Vargas also hosts the Vinny Roc Podcast, which features conversations with veterans, public figures, and entrepreneurs about leadership, mental health, and life after military service. In addition to his media career, Vargas has continued to support veteran initiatives and mentorship programs. He founded TMRW Battalion, a nonprofit organization focused on helping military veterans transition into civilian careers through mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement.

Vargas identifies as a Christian and has spoken publicly about the role that faith, discipline, and service have played throughout his life. In addition to his work in entertainment and media, he regularly participates in public speaking engagements focused on military service, leadership, resilience, and mentorship for young people. His speaking events frequently address the challenges veterans face when transitioning from military service to civilian life while encouraging youth to pursue education, discipline, and service oriented careers. Following multiple combat deployments during his military service, Vargas has discussed the long term effects of combat related trauma. He has spoken openly about living with PTSD, explaining that the psychological impact of war contributed to significant personal struggles earlier in his life, including two failed marriages, alcoholism, and chronic sleep related issues. Vargas later entered recovery and has maintained sobriety for several years, often sharing his experience in an effort to encourage other veterans to seek help and prioritize mental health.^[6] Vargas resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the filming of the television series Mayans MC, in which he portrayed the character Gilberto “Gilly” Lopez, Vargas frequently traveled between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City in order to remain closely connected with his family while filming.^[7] Vargas is the father of 6 children and also has 2 stepchildren. Outside of acting, Vargas has remained active in media, journalism, and veteran advocacy. He hosts the investigative podcast Borderland, produced by IRONCLAD, which focuses on the geopolitical, criminal, and humanitarian dynamics shaping the United States Mexico border. The podcast examines topics such as cartel activity, human trafficking, immigration policy, and the experiences of law enforcement personnel and border communities. Episodes frequently feature interviews with journalists, intelligence professionals, policy analysts, and former law enforcement officials discussing organized crime and migration trends in North America.^[8][9] Through his journalism and media work, Vargas has focused on examining what he has described as the broader “border narrative”, exploring how media coverage, policy debates, and organized crime influence public understanding of migration and border security. His work often combines interviews with subject matter experts and discussions of field based perspectives from individuals working directly within border regions. Vargas is also the author of the book Borderline: Defending the Home Front, which examines the realities of life along the United States Mexico border and the operational challenges faced by law enforcement personnel working in the region. The book explores topics including cartel violence, border community dynamics, and the broader social and political debates surrounding immigration and border security.^[10][11] In addition to his media work, Vargas founded TMRW Battalion, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to supporting military veterans through mentorship, leadership development, and community building. The organization focuses on helping former service members reconnect with purpose and transition into civilian careers while maintaining the values of discipline, service, and accountability learned in the military.^[12] Vargas also hosts the weekly podcast Vinny Roc Podcast, where he interviews veterans, entrepreneurs, athletes, and public figures. The program frequently focuses on topics such as military transition, mental health, personal development, and the experiences of veterans building careers after military or law enforcement service.^[6] Alongside his media and advocacy work, Vargas remains active in youth mentorship and athletics in Utah, participating in coaching and community programs designed to promote discipline, teamwork, and leadership among young people.

• Vincent Vargas at IMDb