Evanston, Illinois – Steve Carell turned a commencement speech into a dance party at Northwestern University. The “Four Seasons” actor spoke to the graduating class on June 16, captivating them with his moves.
Carell broke into dance when “That’s Not My Name” by The Ting Tings played. He joined School of Communication Dean E. Patrick Johnson on stage before dancing with the new graduates.
The university’s Instagram post read, “Turned the United Center into Cafe Disco.” They thanked Carell for his memorable NU2025 address, highlighting the mid-speech dance break.
Carell’s speech focused on kindness. “Kindness isn’t a weakness. It is a very potent strength,” he said. He emphasized that basic human decency should be expected, not celebrated.
Northwestern awarded Carell an honorary Doctor of Arts degree. Though not an alumnus, he attended their summer high school theater program, where he learned improv.
“That inspired me to move to Chicago and pursue a career at The Second City,” Carell said. He stressed that listening is key in improv and life, showing respect for others.
Carell’s ties to Northwestern include his children. His daughter Annie graduated in 2023, and his son Johnny is in the class of 2026.
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