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Start giftingAn American Story
This audiobook uses AI narration.
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Learn moreRead by the author.
The remarkable true story of a young immigrant from Venezuela who had a dream to change the world, a talent for entertaining, and a determined spirit to build a new life, taking as many as possible with him on the journey.
An American Story is the stirring memoir by actor, producer, and USO ambassador Wilmer Valderrama, delving into his upbringing in Venezuela where he was raised by two hardworking 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 decided 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 pueblo in Venezuela to the big city of Los Angeles.
As an unproven actor in Hollywood, following countless auditions and frequent criticisms of his accent, Valderrama created the personality that would eventually land him the role as Fez on the hit series That ’70s Show, which catapulted him to stardom.
Over the coming years, he would create the smash show Yo Momma, delight kids through Handy Manny, voice a lead character in Disney’s Encanto, and so much more, culminating in his joining the cast of the hit show NCIS in 2016.
It was through service to others and his first USO trip, however, that Valderrama found his expanded calling, entertaining and encouraging US troops around the world. He dedicated his time and efforts to giving back in hopes of demonstrating his love and gratitude for the country that changed his life.
An American Story weaves Valderrama’s personal stories with those of the remarkable people he’s met along his philanthropic journey. This isn’t just Valderrama’s story, though. It’s a view of America through an immigrant’s eyes, in both its stunning unmatched wonders and all its native challenges. It is the profound and gripping story of someone who found the way and is now inviting as many as possible to join him on the adventure.
The photo insert can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.
From his breakout role as 'Fez' on the Emmy-nominated series That '70s Show to playing Nick Torres in the #1 TV drama NCIS on CBS, actor, producer, and activist Wilmer Valderrama has been making audiences laugh, listen and think for over two decades. On the big screen, he lent his voice to the Academy Award-winning Disney animated film Encanto, which became a cultural phenomenon. Behind the camera, in 2006, Wilmer established his production company, WV Entertainment, where he continues to develop and produce projects in the alternative and scripted spaces. Valderrama is active in several philanthropic agencies. He's the co-founder of Harness, a group dedicated to connecting communities through conversation to inspire action, serves on the board of Voto Latino and sits on the National Hispanic Media Coalition's (NHMC) Visionary Alliance which aims to foster opportunities for Latinx talent in the entertainment industry through the Series Scriptwriters program and the Latinx Stream Showcase. Wilmer is deeply involved with the military community, serving as a USO Global Ambassador and participating in various shows worldwide. Born in Miami and raised in Venezuela until the age of 13, Valderrama is fluent in Spanish and English. He and his family reside in Los Angeles.