Actor, producer and screenwriter Charlie Day, a 1998 graduate of Merrimack College, delivered the keynote address at Merrimack's 64th undergraduate commencement ceremony.
He should've ended the speech with "Oh, get a job? Just get a job!? Why don't I just strap on my job helmet and squeeze down into a job cannon and fire off into job land where jobs grow on jobbies!"
"I said no to 'A Life on a Stick' and I went with 'Sunny.' Life on a Stick went one season and thirteen episodes. We are currently filming our 10th season of Sunny, we've written and produced 114 episodes, we're signed on for another two years; making It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia one of the longest running comedies of all time." GOD, I BET THOSE WORDS TASTE SWEET COMING OUT.
"You can not let a fear of failure, or a fear of comparison, or a fear of judgement stop you from doing what's going to make you great. You can not succeed without this risk of failure. You can not have a voice without the risk of criticism, and you can not love without the risk of loss. You must go out and you must take these risks. Everything I am truly proud of in this life has been a terrifying prospect to me." - Charlie Day
What spoke to me the most was how the teacher at the back started to tear up. Like seeing this kid come through his halls 20 years ago who could have gone no where and been nothing become a successful human being must be the most rewarding thing you can experience in the profession
I admire Steve Jobs, and Conan is great. But I think Charlie Day's speech was the best commencement speech I've seen. He's genuine, funny, and he gets the message across that if you don't have struggle or fail, you have nothing to succeed at. Without risk or hardwork, there is no goal. Thank you Dr. DJ.
I'm starting college back up after dropping out and busing tables for several years. Watching this, Charlie has reassured me I'm doing the right thing. Not because it's college, but because it's what I want to do. Truly great speech.
Update: I have now finished my first two and a half years back at school. I went back to my community college and retook the classes I dropped out of. Now I have transferred to university and move tomorrow. I grew up here, my family lives here, my girlfriend and her family live here. I am terrified to be far away. Maybe in another two years I will post that I have graduated and did not let fear stop me. I have no idea what the future will bring. But I am grateful to have made it this far.
At 16:50 is the start of one of the greatest commencement speeches I have ever heard. I liked Charlie Day but when I heard this... This made me respect him
Charlie, you probably won't ever read this, but great f'n speech! You made a speech that not only applies to your intended audience, but to us all. Thank you for sharing your struggles. Great job, man.
awesome did you all know its possible to trick your luck ? really just do a quick search for this video *"Andrew B Cloverman"* and thank me later tonight xD
Booking DJ Dr. Day to spin my next house party. But seriously how grounded and true to himself is this man? An inspiration and a hero. He deserves every bit of success he has earned, and I hope his stories similarly inspire future shapers of the world (myself included) to get out there and achieve. The Charlie Abides.
Thanks Dr. Day. Also, thank you Merrimack College!!! I really am inspired from your words of wisdom - even tho I'm 40 and in my 17th year of being a Music Teacher. I've thought about leaving the profession someday and doing RU-vid videos full time (and who knows what else...) May you all strive to find the things that make you great!!! ROCK ON!!
As a college student from Argentina, I think this is one of the best speeches i ve ever heard about College. Everything is dificult in this life, a degree doesnt assure anything in your life, you have to fight for you want, and take risks always. Love this dude.
Last speech he gave: "I am Frank Reynolds.Yes, yes.Yes.That's the word I want to talk about.But first, let's talk about animals. Yes. If animals have taught me anything it's that you can easily die, and very quickly, under a bus and on the side of the road. Yes. Okay? So you have to live in the now. Live in the now! I'm gonna live in the now right now. I'm gonna donate another $5,000 to this charity right now."
I love the part where he's talking about how awful the internet comments were on the commencement speeches that he watched. And I love imagining how he must have felt when this went crazy viral.
Thank you Charlie. I needed this reminder right about now, since I am also struggling to find satisfied work within my profession. Sure, I watched this because I love Charlie Day and It's Always Sunny, but by the end I was tearing up. Very wise words!
I never attended my college graduation.. This speech struck so many cords with me I'd like to think of it as my unofficial commencement. Thanks Charlie
Charlie as someone who wants to have a future in the entertainment industry this speech was very inspiring thank you so much and also it's always sunny in PH is my FAVORITE show of all time
He crushed it. And hit the nail directly on the head. Ive been reading a bunch of these comments with everyone arguing for or against college. The reality is this: College means absolutely nothing. It has been turned into such a money sucking racquet for those attending, thinking that it will help them be "happy" and "successful". College doesn't do shit for you at all. Period. Everything comes down to your mindset and your desire. Only you can do what YOU need to do to achieve your goals. To all of those people arguing that college made them successful and put their life where they want it, I say bullshit. College didn't do that for you. Not even close. YOU did it. YOU put in the work that YOU felt YOU needed to to help you reach that point in life that you are happy with. Congratulations for achieving your goals. From now on though, stop defending college and start extolling all of your hard work and effort.
"I know I will be judged by all those who care to watch on youtube, and compared, but my lesson is this: I don't give a shit." god DAMN I love this man.
Wow, that was a helluva speech. It was long, but well worth it. There are some valuable lessons in his story. It was nice hearing some of it, especially only knowing him from his role in Sunny.
And let the snarky comments begin! Oh wait I already seen a few! Honestly I think this was the most inspirational thing I've ever heard. Fail and Fail again. He's not advocating failure. Instead he's telling people to not be afraid to fail. If you do fail pick yourself up but don't be afraid that you will fail again. It happens. He was giving the best advice anyone could ever ask for. Do what it is that makes you great! Look how many people disliked this video. 415. Look how many people loved it 6,719. Very powerful and awesome :) Charlie Day is my hero!
Charlie if you're reading this, to this day i cannot watch the kitten mittens ad without falling around in tears. Always sunny is comic gold. You are a legend!
This was exactly what I needed to hear in the morning. I graduated last year and life has been tough, but like Charlie says, "You cannot let a fear of failure, or a fear of comparison, or a fear of judgement stop you from doing what's going to make you great." 17:00
I seriously can't believe all the negative comments on this. I decided to watch it with a skeptical hesitation... But by the end of it I thought he did a really great job!
'Don't let a fear of failure stop you...' it's so great seeing him giving such a wise, eloquent speech, so far removed from Charlie Kelly drinking paint and eating cat food. Absolutely love him. Plus, he's adorable in that hat!
I wish Charlie could speak at my college graduation! But I took it to heart just the same! Hard to believe someone told him he would never work in comedy... I think he is one of the most hilarious actors ever, and one of the very few people whose comedy style could NEVER be imitated! His 10-year-old-smoker voice is one of the qualities that makes him so enjoyable to watch lol. I do wish he would have taken this opportunity to go America all over everyone's asses!! Charlie's pure awesomeness.
Great speech Charlie, I love that you made everyone laugh but brought them all to silence and commanded their attention for the real messages. Really inspiring though nice to see you out of character and as a real person, teaching the next generations from your past experiences.
What a FANTASTIC speech!!! Good on ya for having the guts to go and FAIL C.D.. Not many people can stick it out,.I know I didn't and I wished I did. I pass along to my son now "dont be afraid to fail and always give it your best shot. MAKE PEOPLE THROW YOU OUT!" Better to live with the regret of a failed shot than the regret of never having taken the shot.
