Tom Hanks Will Give Commencement Speech in MA Next Week

Cambridge, we have a speaker.

Actor Tom Hanks will deliver the Commencement Address to Harvard’s 2023 graduating class on Thursday.

In addition to Turner & Hooch and Joe Versus the Volcano, Hanks has had quite a career in Hollywood, appearing in or producing a string of hits and miniseries that include Catch Me if You Can, Captain Phillips, and John Adams, each of which has New England ties.

In announcing Hanks in the Harvard Gazette, President Larry Bacow said:

“A true master of his craft, Tom Hanks has given life to some of the most compelling, beloved, and iconic characters on the screen. Over five decades, he has entertained, enlightened, and befriended us. He has made us laugh, cry, question, and think. In addition to his brilliance as an actor, Tom has demonstrated both an innate empathy and a deep understanding of the human condition."

But as Tom Hanks has such a busy schedule, it’s possible he might put off his speech until the last minute. And what happens if one of his eight-billion typewriters breaks??

So, let’s help him out. You always want to start with a joke...

Then, you want to acknowledge how proud the students are, with many feeling like...

But sometimes, it’ll all seem like too much, and you just feel like saying...

But when it feels like all is lost...

...you just have to laugh...

...because after all...

...and as difficult as things may be....