The Friday 5 - Best celebrity commencement speeches of 2011

July 1st, 2011 @ 11:54am

Though getting a renowned politician, a well-known public advocate or a wise educator to give a commencement speech is popular among colleges and universities nationwide each spring, we know many schools and students would prefer to hear an address from a celebrity.

Some schools were able to book a few of the biggest names from TV and film. These famous people shared plenty of insight and humor, and we've got a list of the top speeches from a handful of ceremonies for the Class of 2011.

1. Stephen Colbert - Northwestern University

He is funny. He is wise. He is America. He is Stephen Colbert. The TV funnyman, who hosts the mega-satirical "The Colbert Report," provided graduates and their families with some inspirational words while still maintaining his comical persona.

Among the topics covered in Colbert's speech were Northwestern's crackdown on brothels - no joke - and a sexual demonstration performed in a class with a machine that caused arousal. However, after about 30 minutes of tear-inducing laughs, Colbert discussed the importance of accepting change and collaborating with others.

"You cannot 'win' improv. And life is an improvisation," he said at the ceremony.

2. Tom Hanks - Yale University

The "Big," "Splash" and "Toy Story" star spoke to grads at the Ivy League school's commencement day. Mr. Hanks proved he's hip with the times - kind of - by making sly references to Rebecca Black's 'smash-hit' song "Friday" and the feline YouTube star, Maru the Cat.

The movie star kept it real throughout the speech, highlighted by mocking jabs at social media.

"Later on today, you can compare your Tweets or your Facebook comments with those of others to decide if anything memorable went down," Hanks said at the commencement. "Hey, you know what? Tweet that last sentence I just said."

3. Denzel Washington - University of Pennsylvania

Though he may seem ultra-serious at times - or at least that's how he looks in practically all of his films - Denzel Washington showed some sensitivity and tender nostalgia in his graduation day speech at UP.

 "Do you have the guts to fail?" he asked the graduating seniors. "If you don't fail, you're not even trying." Nicely done, Mr. Washington. It's that belief that made him one of the most successful actors of all time, so we suggest heeding his advice.

4. Amy Poehler - Harvard University

The Boston-born comedienne returned home to give wise words to some of the smartest graduates in America. Throwing in the cliche Beantown accent in the right places made Poehler's speech a surefire winner.

She asked the crowd of students to recognize those who helped them get to graduation day, telling them no one there did it alone.

"God, Allah, Buddha, Gaga - whomever you pray to. They have helped you get here, and that should make you feel less alone - and less scared," she stated.

5. Conan O'Brien - Dartmouth University

The new King of Late Night - at least he is in our books - was a joke-making machine at Dartmouth's commencement ceremony, and everyone in attendance seemed to love the comedian's repertoire of droll banter. However, he noted there was something odd about his being chosen to give the speech.

"I must point out that behind me sits a highly admired President of the United States and decorated war hero," he said, referring to George H.W. Bush, "while I, a cable television talk show host, has been chosen to stand here and impart wisdom. I pray I never witness a more damning example of what is wrong with America today."

Back