Desi Arnaz Paid Tribute By "That 70s Show" Star

Wilmer Valderrama, star of That ‘70s Show and Fast Food Nation and creator and host of MTV’s Yo Momma, will be in Jamestown, New York, on Saturday, May 24, to celebrate Desi Arnaz’s contributions to the world of entertainment

“Fez” from That ‘70s Show will take the stage of the Reg Lenna Civic Center at 8 pm for “A Tribute to Desi Arnaz: An Evening With Wilmer Valderrama.” He will share how Desi personally inspired his career and salute the man that paved the way for other Hispanic actors in America. With a collection of rarely seen film clips of Desi’s career, this will be a night not to miss! The audience will also enjoy a question and answer session. The event is being sponsored by Advertising Advantage and Bank of America.

Immediately following the stage event, guests will have the opportunity to meet Wilmer at a limited admission gala reception sponsored by Taco Hut/B&B Catering.

While Wilmer was born in Miami, his family moved to Venezuela, his father’s native country, when he was three years old. When he was 13, they moved to Los Angeles. He learned English with the help of television shows like “I Love Lucy”.

Wilmer began taking drama classes in high school and was soon appearing professionally. From 1998-2006, he played Fez on That ‘70s Show; he was a junior in high school when the pilot episode was filmed. Since 2006, he has produced and hosted the MTV series Yo Momma. He recently launched his own men’s fashion label, Calavena.

Wilmer voiced Rodrigo in Clifford’s Really Big Movie, and voices the main character, Manny, in the Disney Channel’s Handy Manny series for preschoolers. His other film credits include Summer Catch, Party Monster, Beauty Shop, The Darwin Awards, Unaccompanied Minors, El Muerto, The Condor, Save the Date, and ChiPS that will be released in 2009. Other big screen film projects Wilmer is currently starring in include Days of Wrath and Columbus Day, both of which are slated for release later this year.

Wilmer’s appearance in Jamestown headlines more than 40 events during Lucy-Desi Days Memorial Day Weekend Festival, May 23-25.

For a Festival booklet and to order tickets, call (716) 484-0800 (toll-free: 1-877-LUCY-FAN) ext. 203 or visit online at www.lucy-desi.com.