See which celebrities are giving commencement speeches this year
See which celebrities are giving commencement speeches this year
Melina Khan, USA TODAYFri, April 17, 2026 at 12:01 PM UTC
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Some of Hollywood's biggest names will soon be taking a different kind of center stage: the commencement stage.
With graduation season around the corner, several celebrities have been tapped as commencement speakers for some of the top colleges in the country.
Traditionally, schools select a notable person to impart wisdom on their graduating class. In the past, some lucky graduates have heard directly from the likes of award-winning actors, chart-topping musicians and other public figures.
This year is no different. Here's a look at which celebrities will be giving commencement speeches in 2026.
1 / 0Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, more stars who gave commencement speeches
From Taylor Swift to Chadwick Boseman, see the A-list celebrities who have given commencement speeches at colleges in around the nation over the years. Swift waves at graduating students during New York University's commencement ceremony for the class of 2022, at Yankee Stadium in New York City on May 18, 2022. Swift, who received an honorary doctorate of fine arts, was the commencement speaker.
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Conan O'Brien
Conan O'Brien attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California.
The comedian and Harvard alumnus will return to his alma mater to speak to graduates on May 28. He will also be awarded an honorary degree, Harvard announced.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker attends the Golden Eve event ahead of the 83rd Annual Golden Globes in Beverly Hills, California, on Jan. 6, 2026.
The former "Sex and the City" star is trading the Big Apple for the Windy City. Parker will address the Northwestern University class of 2026 during a June 14 ceremony. She will also receive an honorary doctorate degree, the school announced.
Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen attends the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 16th Governors Awards in Los Angeles, California, in Nov. 16, 2025.
The prolific actress will be this year's commencement speaker on May 18 at Clark Atlanta University, a historically Black university in Atlanta.
Eric Church
Eric Church poses with the ACM Icon Award during the 18th Academy Of Country Music Honors at The Pinnacle on Aug. 20, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Grammy Award-nominated country singer will return to his North Carolina roots to speak to graduates at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on May 9.
Ray Lewis
Ray Lewis watches the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026.
Lewis, a former linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, is set to address graduates from North Carolina Central University's College of Health & Sciences, School of Education and School of Business on May 9.
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Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo attends the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Mark Guiducci at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on March 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
The Emmy Award winner and one of the stars of the upcoming "Michael" biopic will deliver the commencement address at Temple University on May 6. Domingo will also receive an honorary degree from the university, which he once attended but did not graduate from.
Additionally, he's slated to receive an honorary degree from Swarthmore College during its commencement on May 24.
Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026.
The beloved ballet dancer will address Wake Forest University's commencement on May 18.
James Patterson
James Patterson speaks onstage during Viola Davis and James Patterson In Conversation with Sarah Lyall: "Judge Stone" at 92NY on March 9, 2026 in New York City.
Patterson, the author of more than 250 novels, will be this year's commencement speaker on May 9 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff attends The Daily Front Row's 10th Annual Fashion Los Angeles Awards on April 14, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
The former "Lizzie McGuire" star will deliver what dreams are made of at Northeastern University's commencement on April 29.
Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026.
The multihyphenate performer will be one of the speakers at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's graduation on May 8.
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman attends the "Sur un Air de Blues - Song Sung Blue" Premiere at Le Grand Rex on Nov. 23, 2025 in Paris, France.
The Wolverine is headed to the Midwest. Jackman has been tapped to address the graduating class at Ball State University on May 2. He will also receive an honorary doctor of arts degree, the university said.
John Green
John Green attends the 16th Annual Thirst Gala on June 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
The bestselling author and popular YouTuber has been announced as the commencement speaker at Rice University on May 9.
Henry Winkler
Henry Winkler attends the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on Jan. 10, 2026. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
The former "Happy Days" star will be the speaker at Emerson College's commencement on May 9 in Boston.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which celebs are speaking at graduations this year? See the list
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
