Roy Wood Jr. Shares Honest Lessons on Fatherhood and Mentorship in His New Memoir The Man of Many Fathers

Actor, comedian, and writer Roy Wood Jr. has just released his latest book, The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir, a heartfelt and often humorous reflection on the people who shaped his life. The memoir, published by Crown Publishing (Penguin Random House) in 2025, dives into his upbringing in Birmingham, Alabama, his relationship with his late father, and the many father figures he encountered throughout his personal and professional journey.

Wood, best known for his sharp wit and commentary on The Daily Show, describes the memoir as a letter to his son, offering wisdom, stories, and reflections he hopes to pass down. His father, Roy Wood Sr., was a pioneering Black journalist and civil rights activist who passed away when Roy was just sixteen. That loss set the foundation for much of Wood’s exploration of what it means to grow up without a steady father figure and still find guidance in unexpected places.

As the title suggests, The Man of Many Fathers isn’t just about one man—it’s about many. Wood writes about the mentors and role models who helped fill the gaps after his father’s death: comedians he worked with, friends who offered advice, even co-workers from his early jobs. One standout story recounts his time working at Golden Corral after a 1998 arrest, a chapter he discusses in People Magazine. He says that job, humbling as it was, became a turning point that taught him about second chances, hard work, and community.

Throughout the book, Wood emphasizes that wisdom doesn’t always come from traditional mentors. In a recent appearance on The View, he shared that one of his most memorable life lessons came from a man he described as a pimp, who told him after a tough night on stage: “Why are you crying about getting booed? I’ve been shot three times.” The story, which went viral via Decider, highlights Wood’s belief that wisdom can come from anyone—no matter how unconventional their path.

Another headline-making moment came during his appearance on Good Morning America, where he jokingly revealed that some of his old co-workers at Golden Corral were “on cocaine,” leaving host Michael Strahan momentarily speechless, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. Beneath the laughter, though, Wood used the story to underline his point: that life lessons often come from chaotic, real-world experiences rather than picture-perfect ones.

Wood’s book tour kicked off on October 28, 2025, at New York City’s Gramercy Theatre, under the title “The Man of Many Talents”, followed by stops across the U.S. in November and December. More details about the tour are available on his official site.

In interviews with outlets like Essence, Wood said the book is also about creating a blueprint for his son, ensuring that even if he’s not around someday, his child will still have access to his thoughts, values, and the lessons learned from others. He also addresses broader topics such as Black fatherhood, the emotional burden of father absence, and the importance of open communication between parents and children.

Ultimately, The Man of Many Fathers blends humor, honesty, and hard-won wisdom. It’s not just a celebrity memoir—it’s a thoughtful reflection on how community shapes identity, how guidance can come from the most unlikely places, and how one man continues to learn what it truly means to be a father.