Actor and director Elizabeth Banks will be University of Pennsylvania commencement speaker, school says
Elizabeth Banks, an actor, producer and director, will deliver the commencement address at the University of Pennsylvania's graduation this spring, the university announced Monday.
Banks, a 1996 graduate of the university in West Philadelphia, is known for acting in "The Hunger Games" franchise, "Love & Mercy" and "W" as well as for her recurring roles in "30 Rock" and "Modern Family." She also directed "Pitch Perfect 2," Charlie's Angels" (2019) and "Cocaine Bear" and starred in and produced "Pitch Perfect 3."
Banks met her husband, Max Handelman, at Penn, and the couple co-founded Brownstone Productions, which is behind projects including "Pitch Perfect," "Shrill" and "Bottoms."
Banks will also receive an honorary doctor of arts degree at the graduation, which is scheduled for May 19 at Franklin Field.
"Since graduating from Penn's School of Arts and Sciences in 1996, Ms. Banks has made her mark in film and television not only as a highly respected performer, but as a talented director and successful producer," Penn President J. Larry Jameson said in a statement. "She has also been an outspoken advocate for important issues, such as gender equity and health care for veterans, and it will be an honor to welcome her back to campus in May."
Banks is originally from Massachusetts and received a graduate degree from the American Conservatory Theater.
Lonnie G. Bunch III, Lene Vestergaard Hau and Barbara D. Savage will also receive honorary degrees from the University of Pennsylvania this year. The ceremony will be livestreamed, according to Penn's
commencement website
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News24
2 hours ago
- News24
‘You mean the world to me': Gigi Lamayne gushes over Sizwe Alakine
Gigi Lamayne penned an emotional birthday post to Sizwe Alakine, calling him her best friend, generational healer and best cheerleader who taught her 'life, love and laughter.' Their romance became public after Alakine defended Lamayne against podcaster Thakgi Ledwaba, who called her a 'downgrade' compared to his ex-girlfriend Luthando 'LootLove' Shosha. Alakine responded emotionally to the post, calling Lamayne 'my favourite gift this year' and expressing his love through the Instagram comments. Rapper Gigi Lamayne has penned a heartfelt birthday message to her boyfriend, rapper Sizwe Alakine, in a touching Instagram post that has set social media ablaze with its genuine affection and gratitude. Taking to her Instagram account, Lamayne gushed about the unconditional love and support she receives from Alakine and expressed her desire for others to experience similar happiness in their relationships. 'Sizwe, I love it when you're happy! Happy birthday to the one who unconditionally has my back. Thank you for being the best friend, the generational healer and best cheerleader! May the devil shake! May God celebrate! May the angels ululate! You mean the world to me! You promised me so much and delivered so much more. 'Never go against the family. Love and protect. Appreciate your mates'. I love you because you taught me life, love and laughter! Carry on shaking it up! Limitless!' she wrote. The emotional post continued with her praising Alakine's character and their relationship's impact on her faith and happiness. 'Thank God for your life! An exceptional father, brother and son. Every day is a new day to rewrite history, and your pen game is immaculate. Sizwe, I said, I love it when you're happy! Sthandwa sam (My love). I wish this love and peace for everyone cause what? Gosh, I'm lucky!! God exists! I know it through you. Give me more woza woza at the 'river' chomi make it segzy!' she added. Alakine responded with equal emotion in the comments section, clearly moved by the public declaration of love. 'Wow!!! Babe!!! I have no words. I genuinely don't know what to say. Except, thank you. I love you. And… most importantly… that you are my favourite gift this year. I love you,' he replied. The couple's relationship became public knowledge after a controversial incident involving podcaster Thakgi Ledwaba, who attempted to diminish Lamayne by calling her a 'downgrade' compared to Alakine's ex-girlfriend and mother of his twin daughters, Luthando 'LootLove' Shosha. Alakine didn't hesitate to defend his girlfriend's honour, directly challenging the podcaster's disrespectful comments. 'How did you quantify that my current girlfriend is a downgrade from my ex?' he asked. READ | ' I don't think comparisons are necessary': Gigi Lamayne silences critics amid LootLove drama Despite struggling to provide a coherent response alongside co-host Sfiso Ndlovu, Ledwaba eventually attempted to justify his viewpoint, stating that 'Lootlove is more of a powerhouse based on her radio presence compared to Lamayne's sole focus on music.' The incident only strengthened the couple's bond, with Lamayne expressing her appreciation for Alakine's unwavering support in a previous interview with News24. Lamayne revealed her gratitude towards Alakine, noting she had 'nothing but love and respect' for him. 'He's been in the game for a long time, and he understands the challenges, especially for women in hip-hop,' she said at the time.
New York Times
a day ago
- New York Times
Christie Brinkley Isn't Giving Up on Love
Christie Brinkley's relationship with love is as continuous as her long modeling career. The similarities, however, end there. 'I love being in love,' said Ms. Brinkley, 71, likening it to 'a glass of champagne — everything's bubbling inside, anything's possible.' She has been married four times and has been in numerous relationships. Her first marriage, to the French artist Jean-François Allaux, was in 1975 when she was 21; that lasted six years. She was married to the musician Billy Joel from 1985 to 1994; the real estate developer Richard Taubman, from 1994 to 1995; and the architect Peter Cook, from 1996 to 2008. Other serious relationships included Olivier Chandon de Brailles, a French racecar driver and the heir to the Moët & Chandon champagne fortune, who died in a car crash, and the singer John Mellencamp. Each hopeful partner followed by heartbreak is recounted in her memoir, 'Uptown Girl,' which was released in April. The book also carefully documents Ms. Brinkley's life, moments of singleness, motherhood — she has three children: Alexa Ray, 39, Jack, 30, and Sailor, 26 — a near-death experience, and her career. 'The book was a cleanser for me,' said Ms. Brinkley. 'Writing my book made me do a big review of my life. I learned to pat myself on the back and say, 'You've been through it, and you've done good.' I managed to make it through.' Below is a condensed and edited version of a Zoom interview from her house in Sag Harbor, N.Y. Small weddings are best. Jean-François and I were married barefoot on the beach in Hawaii. It was beautiful. We swam right up to the ceremony. Billy and I were married on a boat in front of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. With Ricky, I was married on the highest mountain in Telluride. I was pregnant and skiing down a mountain in a wedding gown. I didn't know anybody at the wedding. My own friends wouldn't come because they weren't into him. The only people I knew were my family. I married Peter in the backyard of a rented house in the Hamptons with horses and cows. Billy was my favorite wedding. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Suzanne Somers' husband missed dating after her death
Suzanne Somers' husband 'missed dating' after her death. The 'Step By Step' actress was married to Alan Hamel for 46 years before she passed away in October 2023 at the age of 76 and Alan has recently revealed his new relationship with Somers' former co-star Joanna Cassidy. He told PEOPLE: 'Suzanne and I went on dates a lot, at least once a week, sometimes twice a week. We enjoyed getting dressed up, going to some fancy restaurant, ordering a great bottle of wine, and great candlelight, and sit there and having a good time and look into each other's eyes.' He also revealed that Suzanne urged him to be happy after her death. He said: 'When it was clear that Suzanne was not going to recover in the final days of her life on this planet, before she crossed over, she said to me, 'I don't want you to mope around after I'm gone'. I actually never heard the expression 'mope around' before. I said, 'So you mean I shouldn't sit at home and feel sorry for myself?' She said, 'I want you to live your life. You have a great life. You have a great family. You have great friends. I want you to live your life.' 'The last 42 years of our relationship, we did not spend even one hour apart, and it wasn't planned. We didn't plan it. It just evolved that way. It's pretty strange, relative to most marriages, but it worked for us.' Alan, 89, recently opened up about his new relationship with Joanna, saying: 'I don't know where the relationship is going. I just know that at this very moment, it's wonderful, and the reality is that as the foundational material for a relationship. It should go on for a long time being wonderful.'
