Katt Williams is a man who has lived many lives, but some parts of that life have yet to be revealed – until now.
The comedian and actor is set to release his surreal new memoir "Nine Lives, No Wives, and 69 Concubines" (out Oct. 20, Gallery Books / 13A). Between quips about hard times, comedy, women and Hollywood antics, Williams details the "ugly" parts of his childhood, the toxic positivity that pushed him forward and the shocking circumstances that make his success so implausible.
Amidst recording his audiobook, gearing up for the launch of his new Netflix podcast and preparing for the memoir's release, the man who used to knock out 3,000 books a year shares with USA TODAY how his passion for storytelling inspired the memoir that chronicles
his life.
"I believed that no matter how treacherous the chapters were beforehand, that good things happen if you keep living your life a certain way," Williams, 55, says. "So to get to this point, I wasn't really sure what other people might get out of the story, but I knew that stories had been so helpful to me in my life, and just learning what other people had to go through to get where they are was just whether it was fiction or nonfiction, just that component in a story always personally gave me hope."
The story of the Dayton, Ohio-born comedian – from a troubled childhood and financial instability to climbing the industry, mastering the craft of comedy, weathering multiple legal battles and raising 10 children as a single father – reads like part memoir, part testimony.
"Considering how well things worked out for me, that didn't have any other explanation other than my prayer life. I couldn't really leave it out," he says. "Because once you read the story, you see that I wasn't special. I didn't have connections or any of that. I was literally taken care of somehow, and so communicating this story was the easy part because I recognize that it's helpful for us all to hear about people persevering and defying the odds."
He added, "I would like to believe that I would have still told it if it didn't work out so well. But who knows?"
Katt Williams on family secret that led to being homeless at 13
In his memoir, Williams opens up about the circumstances that led to him becoming homeless at 13, including a shocking home life that was often far from warm and loving.
Williams has previously only said that an "altercation" with his father, a devout Jehovah's Witness, led him to leave home, but has never gone into full detail. The full story is much more heart-wrenching.
The comedian says it was important for him to "be clear about some things that I hadn't been I hadn't been clear about."
"I also didn't want the reader or the listener to hear my story and think, 'Oh, that's something a kid could do,' because it wasn't those circumstances, and it wasn't a good idea. You won't read my story and feel like, 'Oh yeah, that was a great decision,'" he says. "No, it just happened to work in my personal situation because of what it was. I can't tell the story without it because it was the beginning for me."
Williams said he hasn't needed to talk to his family about what's in the memoir, and most of his relatives – besides his parents – aren't mentioned in detail.
"I told the story as best as I could to where I wasn't doing anybody a disservice while still being completely transparent," he says. "So I was able to change enough names and streets and blocks. But again, I don't have any parts that I'm ashamed of."
"I did it with the understanding that people that I loved would be reading it too," he adds.
Katt Williams built iconic characters for Hollywood – now he's building his own studio
Beyond his hit stand-up comedy specials, Williams is known for roles like Money Mike ("Friday After Next"), A Pimp Named Slickback ("The Boondocks") and Uncle Willy (his Emmy-winning "Atlanta" guest role) – scene-stealing parts he made uniquely his own. For the comedian, getting audiences to buy into a character involves both mastering the art of disappearing into a role and making the character undeniable.
"I wasn't really certain if this particular part was gonna be my last part or not, and the only way that I could make sure that I didn't get cut from this movie, the only way to make sure that I was on the poster is if I could deliver a memorable character," he says. "So I'm going into it with that as the expectation because this is either going to be the last character I'm playing, or this is going to be the character that gets me my next role."
But for Williams, who reveals in his memoir at least two times he's turned multimillion-dollar deals on principle, Hollywood hasn't always gotten it right. His new movie studio, Kemet Movie Works, seeks to fill in the gap where the industry has dropped the ball, especially in Black-led comedies.
"Nobody needs a complainer, even if they're correct," he says. "So I can talk blue in the face about what I don't like about Hollywood. But if that was really true, then I should be doing something about it the first chance I get and trying to get better."
Williams got tired of seeing the industry pass on projects "because of politics that don't even exist." His studio has been in the works for at least three years, and it arrives as Hollywood is experiencing "the great exodus."
"There's just so much of Hollywood that has nothing to do with servicing the customer, and so, I say that as a Black creator, seeing the limitations on the subject matter for a Black movie, as opposed to a movie that's not, is night and day," he says. "I'm in comedy, and my belief is that people would rather see a hilarious movie than any other genre of entertainment, and that it's never too funny."
Katt Williams, integrity and how telling the 'ugly' truth became 'easy'
Williams has made a name for himself with his brash brand of honesty. It's been both his downfall and his strength, time and again.
Long before his viral 2024 appearance on Shannon Sharpe's "Club Shay Shay" podcast, he had a reputation for telling his truth, no matter the cost. Many viewers praised Williams' commentary on Sean "Diddy" Combs (months before his arrest), calling his takes refreshing and noting his massive self-confidence and his willingness to turn down unsavory roles. He says that kind of reaction "just makes it easier to do it."
"I know that probably sounds weird, but every time it works, it keeps you focused on why you're doing it," he says. "And in order to do it, you have to be willing to do it if nobody else agrees with you anywhere else in the world. This still has to be your take on things."
He says being truthful takes "very little faith" given how well it has worked out for him.
"So when I'm telling my story, I don't have to worry about telling the ugly parts because it's mostly ugly, but has such a beautiful ending that you understand that it's all worth it," he adds. "We're all blessed to be in a position where it could get better tomorrow."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Katt Williams on the 'ugly' truth that made his journey worth it
