Early life
Cordero was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 18, 1978, and raised in the northern Detroit suburbs, including Birmingham and Pontiac.1 Both of his parents immigrated from the Philippines and met in the Detroit area, making Cordero a first-generation Filipino American. He has spoken openly about the importance of authentic Asian American representation in entertainment, noting that seeing characters where ethnicity was not the defining trait felt "very freeing."2
He attended Brother Rice High School in Michigan, graduating in 1996, and subsequently moved to New York City to study at Marymount Manhattan College, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting.1 In New York he trained in long-form improv at Chicago City Limits and then at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theatre, where he performed in the ASSSSCAT ensemble.1 He later became a UCB instructor and an advocate for inclusive teaching methods, describing his philosophy as: "Emotional attachment is universal. Everyone can see through emotional connection what is funny or what is not."2
Career
After establishing himself in the New York improv scene, Cordero relocated to Los Angeles and began accumulating television credits. He appeared as a series regular on Yahoo Screen's science-fiction comedy Other Space (2015), a streaming series produced by Paul Feig.1 He subsequently landed roles in several high-profile NBC comedies, including The Office, Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and guest spots in Silicon Valley, Veep, Drunk History, and Kroll Show.
His role as Pillboi, a loyal and endearingly dim friend, in NBC's The Good Place (2016-2020) was among his most visible recurring parts and cast him opposite fellow Filipino American actor Manny Jacinto.1 He was also a recurring presence in The CW's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2017).1
Between 2017 and 2019 Cordero starred as a series regular in the Seeso / VRV mockumentary real-estate comedy Bajillion Dollar Propertie$, and from 2019 to 2021 he was a series regular on TruTV's ensemble fire-station comedy Tacoma FD.1
On the big screen Cordero appeared in Jordan Vogt-Roberts's monster film Kong: Skull Island (2017) alongside Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson, and in Clint Eastwood's crime drama The Mule (2018).1 An earlier film credit is the coming-of-age comedy The Kings of Summer (2013).1
His voice work includes the character Jamie on Cartoon Network's Steven Universe and, most substantially, Lt. (j.g.) Sam Rutherford on CBS All Access / Paramount+'s animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-2024), a role he held through the show's fifth and final season, which aired from October to December 2024.1
From 2021 to 2023, Cordero appeared as Casey, a mild-mannered Time Variance Authority clerk, in the Disney+ MCU series Loki. In season 2 the character was expanded and revealed to be the historical figure Frank Morris; Cordero was elevated to a series regular for that run.1 He has also contributed additional voices to animated projects including the Netflix series Haunted Hotel (2025).
In 2024 he joined the cast of the Netflix comedy series A Man on the Inside, created by Mike Schur, playing Joel Piñero, the supportive teacher husband of a central character.3 He appeared in nine episodes across the series run.
As a writer, Cordero has penned episodes for UCB Comedy Originals and wrote and produced the 2017 short film Aswang Next Door.3
Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)
In Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, Cordero plays Eugene, the bass guitarist of the Beasts of Mayhem, a heavy metal band performing at the Stonebrook Theatre during Rock Revenge Fest XIV in New York City.4 The character wears shades throughout the concert sequence. When the ghost Mayhem emerges from the stage mid-performance, the Ghostbusters capture it onstage and receive a standing ovation from the crowd, who take the paranormal chaos for theatrical staging. During the commotion, Jillian Holtzmann grabs a guitarist's instrument and smashes it against the floor before tossing it back with an apology.
The Beasts of Mayhem's two songs for the film, "Low Then High" and "Want Some More," were written by composer Theodore Shapiro and Ryan Levine. Adam Ray, who portrays the band's lead singer, also provided the voice of Slimer in the same film. Two deleted scenes featuring the band, titled "The Beasts of Mayhem" and "The Singer Gets High," were included on home video releases.
Personal life
Cordero is married to television writer Tricia McAlpin; the couple wed on June 18, 2011, and have two children.1 He co-hosts a fitness podcast called The Dumbbells.1 He is based in Los Angeles.
