ABOVE: Watch highlights from Charlie Day’s commencement speech at Merrimack College.
TORONTO — Actor Charlie Day cracked wise and shared wisdom in a commencement speech Sunday at Merrimack College in Massachusetts.
Joking that he was dressed like “some sort of medieval pastry chef” and has “a voice like a 10-year-old who smokes,” Day explained what he plans to do with his honorary doctorate.
“I plan to begin writing my own prescriptions immediately,” he said.
Day, who stars on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, graduated from Merrimack’s fine arts program in 1998. In addition to his TV role, he appeared in movies like Horrible Bosses and the made-in-Toronto Pacific Rim.
In addition to making the crowd laugh, the 38-year-old encouraged the 520 graduates to take chances in life and create their own successes.
“Don’t wait for your break,” said Day. “Make your break.”
He added: “We have one life. In it, you have to trust your own voice, your own ideas, your honesty, your vulnerability — and through this you will find your way. You do not have to be fearless. Just don’t let fear stop you.”
Day admitted he was nervous about delivering the commencement speech because of the “snarky comments” people will make after viewing it online.
“I know I will be judged by all those who care to watch on YouTube and compared,” he said. “But my lesson is this: I don’t give a s***. You cannot let a fear of failure or a fear of comparison or a fear of judgment stop you from doing what’s going to make you great.”
Day also shared an observation with graduates.
“Apparently the higher you climb in life, the more ridiculous your hats will become,” he said.
“Like the one I’m wearing today, or the Pope or Pharrell.”
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