Key Takeaways:
– Actor Wilmer Valderrama has launched his memoir, An American Story: Everyone’s Invited.
– Valderrama details his experience in ‘That ’70s Show’ and his immigration from Venezuela to California.
– The memoir contains personal anecdotes including a terrifying plane incident and his friendly rivalry with co-star Ashton Kutcher.
– Johnny Depp offered career advice to Valderrama, suggesting emphasis on character focus and self-investment in his career.
Wilmer Valderrama, renowned for his role in the long-running TV series ‘That ’70s Show’ offers a candid look into his life, through his newly released memoir, An American Story: Everyone’s Invited. Besides reflecting on his Hollywood journey, The NCIS star shares anecdotes about immigrating from Venezuela to California and his experiences working with his That ’70s Show co-stars. The book covers several significant moments from his life, such as a scary flight emergency and his “rivalry,” which leans more to friendly competition, with co-star Ashton Kutcher.
Harrowing Plane Incident and Johnny Depp’s Guidance
Valderrama provides a nail-biting description of an alarming airplane emergency he faced with his That ’70s Show co-stars. The group was returning to Hollywood from New Orleans post-Super Bowl when a winter storm caused turbulent flight conditions. As the storm raged, Valderrama elucidates the descending fear as oxygen masks plunged from above, punctuating the gravity of their predicament. Despite the fear, he cleverly infuses some humor into the tense account.
Notably, following this nerve-wracking ordeal, Valderrama got career advice from an unexpected source. His fellow actor, the Pirates of the Caribbean star, Johnny Depp suggested to Valderrama that he should “focus on one character at a time” and “bet on yourself” in his career.
Friendly Competition on ‘That ’70s Show’ Set
While the memoir offers a peek into the high-stakes world of a Hollywood actor, it also sheds light on the dynamics of ‘That ’70s Show’s’ ensemble cast, notably his camaraderie with Ashton Kutcher. Valderrama recalls their behind-the-scenes “friendly rivalry,” wherein they engaged in a friendly contest to see who could garner the most laughs during the first take.
He lauds Kutcher for his intelligence and professionalism, stating, “He was far more serious about the craft of acting than it appeared.” Both of them would arrive on set “extremely prepared” to deliver top-notch performances.
An American Story: Everyone’s Invited is an intimate exploration of Valderrama’s journey — from his early days in Venezuela, the trials of immigration, to finding fame in Hollywood. He navigates the highs and lows, the challenges and triumphs, while keeping his humor and optimism intact. The memoir was released on September 17 and promises to provide readers with a more in-depth understanding of the journey behind the actor we all know and love.