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 activist Wilmer Valderrama, delving into his upbringing in Venezuela where he was raised 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 immediately knew he had found his calling, and began thinking of ways to help support his struggling family. To do this, 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. Over the coming years, he would create the smash show, Yo Mamma, delight kids through Handy Manny, voice the 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, where Valderrama found his expanded calling, entertaining and encouraging U.S. troops around the world. Suddenly, he wanted to do as much of this as he could, dedicating his time and efforts to giving back to the country he calls home. He was recently named USO Global Ambassador in support of the organization's 80th anniversary. He has traveled with the USO a multitude of times having participated in almost 50 tours domestically and internationally. Through his work, Valderrama hopes to demonstrate 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 of 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.

An American Story: Everyone’s Invited

Biographies & Memoirs

Valderrama, Wilmer

Arts & Literature

Harper Select

Mi sueño americano es el conmovedor libro de memorias del actor, productor y activista Wilmer Valderrama, que ahonda en su educación en Venezuela, donde fue criado por dos padres muy trabajadores, mientras su familia atravesaba un país en rápida transformación y el ascenso de Hugo Chávez.Con la economía derrumbándose a su alrededor y su medio de vida desapareciendo, la familia decide huir del país. De repente, el niño al que le encantaba montar a caballo y soñar con ser el Zorro de su serie favorita de televisión en blanco y negro, tuvo que crecer rápidamente y viajó, siendo un adolescente, desde un pequeño pueblo de Venezuela a la gran ciudad de Los Ángeles.En los años siguientes, Valderrama crearía el exitoso programa Yo Mamma, deleitaría a los niños con Handy Manny, pondría voz al personaje principal de Encanto de Disney y mucho más, hasta unirse al reparto del exitoso programa NCIS en 2016.Sin embargo, fue a través del servicio a los demás y de su primer viaje con United Service Organization (USO por sus siglas en inglés) donde Valderrama encontró su vocación ampliada, entreteniendo y animando a las tropas estadounidenses en todo el mundo. De repente, quiso hacer todo lo que pudiera, dedicando su tiempo y sus esfuerzos a retribuir al país que considera su hogar.A través de su trabajo, Valderrama espera demostrar su amor y su gratitud por el país que cambió su vida. Mi sueño americano entrelaza las historias personales de Valderrama con las de personas notables que ha conocido a lo largo de su viaje filantrópico. Sin embargo, esta no es solo la historia de Valderrama, sino también una visión de Estados Unidos de América a través de los ojos de un inmigrante, tanto en sus asombrosas maravillas inigualables como en todos sus retos. Es la historia profunda y apasionante de alguien que encontró el camino y ahora invita a cuantos sea posible a acompañarle en la aventura.An American StoryAn American Story is the stirring memoir by actor, producer, and activist Wilmer Valderrama, delving into his upbringing in Venezuela where he was raised 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.It was through service to others and his first USO trip, however, where Valderrama found his expanded calling, entertaining and encouraging U.S. troops around the world. Suddenly, he wanted to do as much of this as he could, dedicating his time and efforts to giving back to the country he calls home.Through his work, Valderrama hopes to demonstrate 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 of 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.

Mi sueño americano: Todos están invitados (Spanish Edition)

Humor & Entertainment

HarperEnfoque

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