Book Review: An American Story

Wilmer Valderrama was raised in Venezuela by two hard working parents as they navigated their family through a rapidly changing country and the rise of Hugo Chavez. With the economy crashing around them and their livelihood disappearing, the family decides to flee the country. Suddenly, the young boy who had loved riding his horse and dreaming of being Zorro from his favorite black and white tv show had to grow up quickly, journeying as a teenager from a tiny little pueblo in Venezuela to the big city of Los Angeles.

After being cast in a school theatre production, Valderrama knew he had found his calling, and began thinking of ways to help support his struggling family. He would attempt the impossible: find work in Hollywood as an unproven Latino actor. Following countless auditions and frequent criticisms of his accent, he created the personality that would eventually land him the role as Fez on the hit series That 70s Show, which catapulted him to stardom. But that was just the beginning.

An American Story: Everyone's Invited will be published September 17, 2024. Harper Select provided an early galley for review.

I have always found Valderrama to be a likeable celebrity, from his very first role to those that came later afterwards for the past two and half decades. That likeability factor was enough to draw me to this memoir to learn more about his life story.

Though born in America, his is very much an immigrant story which he conveys in a very relatable and approachable manner. Despite the barriers of language, he and his family worked hard to fit in when they returned and to do whatever they could to make ends meet. It is from that need that Wilmer's drive to become an actor emerged.

Having grown up in the same small town as one of That 70's Show co-creators - Mark Brazill (he being just three years older than me), I was very interested in hearing about the audition process and Wilmer's time on the show. I was also pleased that he touched upon a few details regarding the follow-up That 90's Show from a few years ago. In between, he ran through many projects on which he worked (many with which I was not familiar).

Fans will definitely be interested in reading his story.