James Franco will no longer deliver the commencement speech at the UCLA College of Letters and Science graduation ceremony on June 12, the university announced today. “I deeply regret not being able to keep my commitment to giving the commencement speech at UCLA’s graduation this year,” Franco said in statement. “Unfortunately the date conflicts with me needing to be on location to begin pre-production on my next film. I wish everyone in the 2009 class the best of luck in all of their future endeavors.” A minor campus controversy ensued several months ago when Franco—who earned an English degree from UCLA in 2008—was announced as a keynoter. An editorial in the student newspaper, The Daily Bruin, questioned the decision (“…we don’t feel he is as esteemed as a commencement speaker of UCLA’s caliber should be”), while a student created a Facebook page in protest, calling him an “average student.” The university is currently seeking an alternate speaker.
Jun 4
2009
12:48 AM ET
James Franco drops out of UCLA graduation speech
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Very odd… who commits to a commencement address & then drops out for pre-production work? He really couldn’t schedule around it? Oh well, I think he would have made a great speaker… and can’t imagine the invitation will be extended ever again!
Very odd… who commits to a commencement address & then drops out for pre-production work? He really couldn’t schedule around it? Oh well, I think he would have made a great speaker… and can’t imagine the invitation will be extended ever again!
I think he felt the pressure. I like James Franco, but I don’t think he should be giving ANY type of commencement speech.
I agree that it may have been too early in his life to be asked (mostly b/c I think he will accomplish a lot more). Personally, I really admire how committed he is to learning and education. He goes to 2 grad programs here in NY and considering that he could be doing the actor party thing, I think he’s actually a good role model.
I don’t see what all the fuss is about. A commencement is one of the few stages in the education process where I think it can be about entertainment. Wanda Sykes, say, would be great, even if she never got a high school education. (PS Honorary degrees are a joke anyway. I don’t think any celebrity has gotten a job based on having an honorary degree.)
I don’t see what all the fuss is about. A commencement is one of the few stages in the education process where I think it can be about entertainment. Wanda Sykes, say, would be great, even if she never got a high school education. (PS Honorary degrees are a joke anyway. I don’t think any celebrity has gotten a job based on having an honorary degree.)
What a jerk to drop out at the last moment.
What a jerk to drop out at the last moment.
What a jerk to drop out at the last moment.
He probably dropped out because all the jerk UCLA students made a big deal about their belief in his supposed lack of qualifications. He’s going to grad school in NY, will soon be a published writer, and is still maintaining an acting career. UCLA doesn’t deserve to hear him speak.
You people are taking this way, way, way too seriously. He makes more money than most of us ever will and all this sounds like is jealousy because he got asked because of his fame.
I don’t know why people don’t think that James Franco is not a high enough caliber keynote speaker as the Cookie Monster delivered the keynote address in the 2005 UCLA graduation ceremony
A higher caliber speaker would honor his commitments. lol
I think this is the right move. Why should he be a commencement speaker to a graduating class who doesnt want him there? Saves him the time, money and aggravation. Excellent move, Franco!