Jennifer Coolidge Returns to Boston

Two big names are returning to their roots of Massachusetts and Rhode Island for big honors.

Actress and Boston native Jennifer Coolidge is coming home this spring to deliver the commencement address to undergraduates at Emerson College.

It's no Harvard Law (Legally Blonde, anyone?), but a prestigious school nonetheless. Coolidge spent time at Emerson before moving honing her craft at American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

Coming Home to Boston

This is a homecoming for Coolidge as she was raised in Norwell and spent summers playing clarinet and attending orchestra camps. Woah, woah, woah – Stifler's mom went to band camp?!?

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Yes, yes she did. She's also gone on to star in a slew of '90s and 2000s films like Best in Show, American Pie, A Night at the Roxbury, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Legally Blonde, A Cinderella Story and many more.

Maybe she'll pull some inspiration from her Hilary Duff film (and Babe Ruth, who originally said it) and deliver this message to graduates:

"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game"

She certainly hasn't stopped playing her game. The award-winning actress has a hefty IMDB page full of hit movies and TV shows including the smash The White Lotus.

High Praise From Emerson College

Emerson President Jay Bernhardt spoke highly of having Coolidge address the graduates.

“Jennifer embodies Emersonian creativity and originality through and through. We are thrilled that our graduating students will hear Jennifer’s story.”

Coolidge will deliver the address to graduates at Agganis Arena in Boston on Sunday, May 11. While there, she will also receive an honorary degree.

You can watch Jennifer Coolidge deliver the commencement address as Emerson will stream the ceremony live on its website.

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Providence College Names Their Commencement Speaker

Earlier this month, Providence College announce its own special guest joining its graduation ceremony. Serving as commencement speaker is none other than Judge Frank Caprio.

Deemed "America's Nicest Judge," his fandom began locally with the show Caught in Providence, which gained national attention after clips of his kind and understanding nature racked up billions of views online.

Caprio will speak to the crowd at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence on May 18, 2025 at 11 a.m.