Northwestern University has reached into the worlds of film, television and absurdist humor for its Commencement speaker for the Class of 2025.
The school, in Evanston, has tapped actor, comedian, TV star and producer Steve Carell, who has ties to Chicago through his early-career work at Second City and ties to Northwestern through his daughter, a recent alum, and son, a student, according to a Northwestern news release.
Carell is an award-winning actor, writer and producer who has starred in movies such as “Bruce Almighty,” “Anchorman: The Legend of Rob Burgundy,” “Crazy, Stupid Love,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Date Night.”
He also starred in the mockumentary-style television series “The Office” as Michael Scott, an often-clueless business manager. More recently, he has moved into dramatic roles, including in “Foxcatcher,” “Little Miss Sunshine” and “The Big Short,” according to Northwestern. Last year, he made his Broadway debut in an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s Russian drama, “Uncle Vanya.”
“I’m thrilled to be speaking at Northwestern’s Commencement this year,” Carell told Northwestern. “My speech’s theme will be ‘The Importance of Lowering Expectations,’ which for these graduates, should start with my speech.”
Carell’s comedy career got started in Chicago, according to the university, when he joined The Second City beginning in 1987. While there, he worked with Stephen Colbert, a Northwestern alum, and both did Dana Carvey’s short-lived sketch comedy show before Carell joined “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”
Carell’s daughter Annie graduated from Northwestern’s School of Communication in 2023, according to the school, and his son Johnny, a student in the School of Communication, is expected to graduate in 2026.
Actor Steve Carell appears in a scene from the television series “The Office.” (Justin Lubin/NBC / Associated Press)
Last year, actress Kathryn Hahn served as Northwestern’s commencement speaker, and Gov. J.B. Prizker did the honors the year before that, according to Northwestern spokeswoman Erin Karter. Stephen Colbert also previously served as a Northwestern commencement speaker.
Universities have seen their share of controversial topics arise over the past year or two, but commencement speakers are not asked to avoid any topics in their keynotes, Karter said.
“I don’t really know if we’ve ever told anyone not to say anything,” she said. “Usually, the people we invite are exemplary in their fields and have inspiring things to say, and we think they’ll inspire our students.”
Northwestern’s 167th annual Commencement will take place at the United Center in Chicago on Sunday, June 15 at 10:30 a.m. The university also will award Carell an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts at the ceremony, according to the news release.
