5-Minute Time Out: Wilmer Valderrama
The "That 70s Show" actor on playing Handy Manny.
by Billy Gray
February 20, 2009
After establishing himself as a go-to comic actor (That '70s Show, Yo Momma) with fine dramatic chops (Fast Food Nation), Wilmer Valderrama decided to become a repairman: he's the voice of the title character in The Disney Channel's animated smash Handy Manny. Wilmer stopped by the USO station in New York City around Christmas to entertain local children. He spoke to Babble about learning English through TV, getting out the Latino youth vote, and Handy Manny's thoughts on the auto bailout. — Billy Gray
A kids' show like Handy Manny sticks out a bit on your resume. When did you decide to get involved with a children's program?
When I noticed what my little brother was watching, you know? That's when I started realizing that I should maybe give it a shot and give him something substantial to watch.
I read that watching TV shows like I Love Lucy helped you learn English when you moved here from Venezuela. Is Handy Manny a way to return the favor?
Yeah. I mean, a lot of the stuff that I do, I want it to help. I believe that that's what being part of our generation now is all about. We've come out with this message where you're allowed to believe in the American dream again. And I think that we as entertainers have a responsibility to help that momentum build. A lot of times it's the artists, not the networks or studios, who realize these projects, and it's important that we have a choice to do work we believe in.
"I think that we as entertainers have a responsibility."
You mentioned hope and change. I know you were instrumental in getting out the Latino youth vote in the recent election. Were you pleased with the results?
Definitely. We're talking about sixty percent plus of that demographic voting. It's amazing to see the Latin community join the national community. That's really exciting and I take it very seriously. It's our country as well, and we all need to weigh in on what happens in America. And I'm always excited to educate the Latin community and help them understand what's right and what's wrong for them. No matter who the captain of the ship is, the community is going to help move things forward. So I was very pleased and very proud. Rosario Dawson and I did a lot of work for it and we really believed in it, and were very happy that it turned out the way it did. It was really beautiful. But at the end of the day, the big message is it's not just the Latin community, but also the youth, and finally they made themselves a part of the bigger picture.
Felipe the Screwdriver on Handy Manny is played by Carlos Alazraqui, voice of the Taco Bell Chihuahua, and therefore one of the most recognizable voices in America. What's it like working him?
He actually did an episode of That '70s Show back in '99 or '98. So I've know him for almost ten years. And he's awesome. He and Tom Kenny [who plays Mr. Lopart] are the people who crack me up the most. I mean, you think you know funny people. I've worked with this dude and he's hysterical. When we're recording the show he's doing voices and improv. We really have a great time.
©2009 Billy Gray and Babble
About the Author
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Billy Gray was raised in the gin-soaked, Cheever-esque wilds of Westchester County. A movie buff, his Harvard thesis research entailed little more than video store late fees in its investigation of the 1980s John Hughes canon. He is a retired swimmer whose proudest achievement in the sport was prank calling Michael Phelps about a failed drug test. His current fitness regime includes climbing the stairs of his East Village walk-up.
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