With “That ’70s Show” star Wilmer Valderrama “NCIS,“Valderrama is grateful to his high school teacher, Ms. Tucker, for believing in him at a key moment in his life. In his new memoir, ‘American Story: Everyone’s Invited,’ Valderrama recalls how Ms. Tucker supported him at a time when other teachers doubted he could balance school with his acting career.
Valderrama, who immigrated to the United States from Venezuela as a child, landed a role on “That ’70s Show” during his senior year of high school, when many teachers questioned whether he could balance filming with his studies.
“Some teachers said, ‘He doesn’t come here often, we shouldn’t let him graduate,'” Valderrama recalled in an interview with “CBS Mornings.” But Mr. Tucker championed him and gave him the opportunity to graduate, Valderrama said.
During the interview, Tucker appeared on “CBS Mornings” and sent a video message to Valderrama.
“Wilmer was a good student, talented, good looking and obviously very smart,” Tucker said. “Wilmer, I wish you the best with your book. I wish you the best in your work. I’m thinking of you all the time. I’m very proud of you.”
A visibly moved Valderrama struggled to contain his emotions as he watched the message.
“Just seeing his face… sometimes all you need is one person to believe in you,” Valderrama said. “You come to this country thinking you can do anything, and that’s what happens. But when someone like him tells you, ‘You can do it,’ all of a sudden you start thinking, ‘Yeah, maybe I can do it.'”
Valderrama’s memoir doesn’t just focus on his Hollywood career, it also details his childhood, growing up in Venezuela and the sacrifices his family made after immigrating to the U.S. Valderrama said he didn’t initially plan to write about his childhood.
“When I was thinking about writing the book, I never intended to talk about my childhood,” he says, initially planning to focus on his work with the USO, where he served as a global ambassador for 20 years.
But looking back, he realizes his childhood played a role in shaping his understanding of service and solidarity.
“When I wear a military uniform and I see an American flag, I think, ‘Hey, we’re all fighting for the same cause,'” he said. “Can I write something that makes all of us think, maybe we’re not so different, maybe we should focus on the issues that we can tackle together?”