Charlie Day's Merrimack College Commencement Address

Actor, producer and screenwriter Charlie Day, a 1998 graduate of Merrimack College, delivered the keynote address at Merrimack's 64th undergraduate commencement ceremony.

[@flyingbiscuts]

the actual written speech was just symbols and drawings.

[@scandelooch]

flyingbiscuts LOL

[@ssrkinz996]

"Those are lyrics, man"

[@hollygamble15]

He just has magnets on the podium

[@jessebaldwin7297]

flyingbiscuts damn crayons

[@darksimmie2572]

"well filibuster"

[@dylanhale2034]

I was waiting for him to start talking about bird law

[@Cuzjudd]

Filibusting

[@TheDbzlova]

Dylan Hale or discuss his issue with Spaghetti Policy

[@dylansheppard2479]

Why don't we go toe-to-toe in bird law and see who comes out the victor?

[@dylanhale2034]

@notion1 took me 2 years to comprehend how fucking stupid that comment was

[@treyebillups8602]

Bird law in this country isn’t governed by reason

[@NJtriple7]

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!"

[@agentham]

Thank you, Merrimack, for not censoring "shit."

[@taleytaleytaley]

"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.

[@pranksnl2471]

"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

[@oooomingmak]

"you do not have to be fearless, just don't let fear stop you" w o w

[@floofy5529]

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.

[@danieloswin4610]

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

[@pushkarsarma6471]

wait a minute...*PRETENDING* to eat cat food? Wild card indeed.

[@Joshua-fb6yz]

Pushkar Sarma WILD CARD BITCHES

[@peanutismint]

He should've played the wildcard....

[@brianMcGranahan0311]

Peanut Turner green man!!!

[@Liftedpeace61]

To be honest he kind of did..

[@demetriarule]

I have a new level of respect for Charlie Day.

[@cassie1421]

notion1 did you just find out that you were a failed abortion or something? Cheer up bud.

[@scoobister5482]

notion1 seriously^

[@duncanwatson135]

"I don't give a shit." -Charlie Day, greatest quote ever.

[@Neurotripsicks]

There's a spider....spider.........spider...

[@jtatherton81]

I would of loved to see him crawl out of the floor boards with silver spraypaint singing that

[@OakCliffTX82]

Rock, Flag & Eagle

[@turdpics]

you've got a point there

[@bobkrenke1940]

Stop treading on me

[@awake1251]

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.

[@awake1251]

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.

[@dilrajputra2056]

@@awake1251 good for u bro, good luck

[@cuckoobrain7999]

@@awake1251 good luck

[@4Cud1Life2Is3Mine0]

"I'm sorry I'm making your children cry." Hahahahaahah finally a speaker acknowledges something that happens at every speech or lecture.

[@jeremyanderson5696]

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

[@kyoko703]

Mad respect.

[@shmookins]

In my mind, his speech is 'written' in crayon. XD

[@williamgrigg3263]

I was disappointed that he didn't share his insights regarding bird law....

[@Constant_J]

oh, we can go tit-for-tat on bird law all day.

[@williamgrigg3263]

You know, I don't think we're going to do anything close to that....

[@Constant_J]

ok well..... filibuster

[@earfquakes026]

or cat physics

[@darksimmie2572]

Lmao

[@scottricamore]

I'm going to watch this every morning while I eat breakfast. Pretty great Dr. Day.

[@victorjay5730]

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.

[@SoCloseToToast]

I'll teach you how to use your toaster!

[@gotgamecray]

IT'S YOU :O

[@sparta300epic]

No I will teach him C:

[@MogeyMoge]

He said he doesn't know how it works.

[@salvadorwood536]

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

[@tvking9800]

:D

[@csibpip]

"Don't just do what makes you happy, do what makes you great" genius.

[@Jump-2-the-moon]

Out of any of the celebrity commencement speeches I've watched, this is by far my favorite.

[@GNWP67]

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."

[@enklaev1465]

Thats too charitable

[@XBUGMANX]

I need a Rum Ham....

[@stritt7]

Milk Steak

[@hip360hop]

egg

[@B1gCh33sy]

About a million fake blood packets.

[@oneman-dan]

"You cannot succeed without this risk of failure. You cannot have a voice without the risk of criticism." Thank you Charlie Day

[@jlotus100]

Great speech, Mr. Day. Not bad for someone who got famous by eating cat food. :D

[@jollyyahyah]

*Dr. Day

[@bluwolf098]

jlotus100 and being illiterate

[@digitaltourbus]

This is crazy awesome! I wish Charlie Day would've given my college's commencement speech!

[@brozart4370]

Imagine going to College.

[@LorayneMB]

'You don't have to be fearless, just don't let fear stop you'- Charlie Day nails this, such a great commencement speech

[@elcinequenovemos7851]

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.

[@heather23renae]

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.

[@stonecold2589]

Okay well...Filibuster

[@hannahchamblee6670]

HAHA

[@thejoshbtv]

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.

[@huntermeakin8419]

I'm a pre-med student... does that mean I should drop out of school and start practicing medicine until I become the best doctor ever?!?

[@thejoshbtv]

You have clearly missed the point

[@BlowAverageLookinGuy]

I watch this every once a while.

[@tonypizza7936]

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.

[@trying2b]

This is one of the best speeches of all time. Day is so smart

[@JBades6310]

what an awesome speech

[@steven5040]

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

[@jomac841]

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!

[@bigedude]

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 KZbin videos full time (and who knows what else...) May you all strive to find the things that make you great!!! ROCK ON!!

[@user-hq1yx3sw4n]

"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.

[@jonasaloisrosen2636]

The only 20 min youtube video i've ever watched from start to finish. Charlie is the man

[@puhl117]

When he said how they're filming their 10th season of Always Sunny i got the chills. Inspirational shit right here

[@ctaylah]

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

[@BrianIngham]

he told me to tell you you're welcome and he's glad you enjoy his show

[@ctaylah]

I'm really gullible but do you actually know Charlie day?

[@lerp5555]

ctaylah ya charlie told me he totally knows that guy.

[@ctaylah]

:(

[@ctaylah]

***** lol I was gullible as shit in the 8th grade

[@Locrian1]

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!

[@TheWiggelsworth]

you did good Charlie, you did good

[@MandoBadass1]

"You do not have to be fearless, just don't let fear stop you." I never thought I would be quoting fucking Charlie. lol

[@kemblephotography]

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.

[@jonathanamoody9432]

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!

[@RickMontgomeryJR]

Great speech

[@malakaysun]

This speech reveals the quality of the man underneath his public persona. Well done, Charlie Day.

[@Uzala]

The ruler of darkness... The master of light... He is the Dayman.

[@abbymcbeth]

A relateable and humble approach to giving a commencement speech. A great example of being the best version of yourself, and not of someone else.

[@dirtylaundrydon]

whenever I need motivation I come here to listen to Charlie and it always works.

[@EmeraldTreeMamboa]

I FORGOT TO PUT THE TAPE IN!!! I FORGOT TO PUT THE TAPE IN!!!

[@2it2ga]

was better than mine, we had some big shot CEO of a financial company... I zoned out in less than a minute

[@SpKrypto7]

we had the president of my university talk about boring!

[@glant2005]

So glad KZbin recommended this for me, what a fantastic speech! Charlie Day is truly the man!

[@shyiso]

I am not from the U.S. and I have never watched this man's show but the speach was realy inspiring. This man is great.

[@thecreaturewalks]

Well done Charlie. That last 5 minutes was especially meaningful to me.

[@shannongeorgulos]

In tears watching this; an inspiration to everyone who is chasing a dream.

[@PurpleManda03]

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.

[@Shikaku11373]

Damn, that was probably the most honest commencement speech I have heard in a long time.

[@eilishoshea3349]

'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!

[@neilhess6407]

One of the top 5 TV comedy's of all time.

[@kandacesechler3755]

As if I needed any more reasons to love Charlie Day... this was perfect!

[@furthernerd]

in the class of 2023- so excited to join the merrimack community, especially after learning my favorite actor is part of it! :)

[@joesdaily]

Well, this is my #inspiration for the day. Great speech!

[@crystocious6715]

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

[@usernamenotinvaild]

I am here to make a snarky comment.

[@azugirl111]

usernamenotinvaild I am here to say an obligatory fuck you

[@BigBrezzy]

I am here to hold a bowl.

[@BetaPlaysTheWorld]

Favorite actor/comedian. All around awesome guy.

[@influennzapyloric4073]

best. speech. EVER!!!!!!!!!!

[@DanielValdes]

Charlie is such a huge inspiration to me as an actor.

[@SH4MB0L1C]

I missed about half the speech when he threw in that 8 x 7 curveball

[@TimStafford01]

but we were talking about waterskiing...

[@Jfbmu]

Salem C 56

[@lorip1821]

Charlie you are an amazing comedian, writer and actor! I love...love...love it's always sunny in Philadelphia

[@Kirgast]

I wish i had someone give me a speech like that when i was younger.

[@IBIZACAESAR]

Don't be afraid to bet on yourself. Don't be afraid to fail. Easy to say, difficult to execute. Admire your courage. Thank you for the speech!

[@prestonedmonds4704]

I want to know did he donate the shower curtians

[@fenogliooo9809]

this speech just changed my life

[@tylacourse3645]

Is it even possible to not like this guy??

[@zeliagonzales]

That was the best commencement speech I have ever heard. So many lessons women throughout amazing anecdotes. Makes me love Charlie even more!

[@WirefoxC]

One of the greatest, most inspiring commencement speeches ever! Well done, sir!

[@fightfamilybuffalo]

Like you said, I hope you read these comments and know you killed it. Your speech has been made into an inspirational video.

[@TheTaylorlyons]

greatest speech ever I dont know what id do if charlie spoke at my graduation ITS ALWAYS SUNNY FOR LYYYYFE!!!

[@PhilaDehlia]

Well done Charlie Day!! Hilarious and inspiring

[@obmcgbunch]

Way to go Charlie!! Spoken like a real person who understands and cares!!!!

[@jamieperrin8955]

Old dudes got one hell of a broad boston accent. The way he said vaaaawcity made me smile. Sidenote: Charlie day is life.

[@howyudern]

almost cried. definitely gonna listen to this more

[@BelaCurcio]

needed that in a BIG way

[@SPv3nomus1]

Charlie days the man! "Give me a second to navigate this" raw material. Keep up the great work man

[@wrthgdrver710]

"You don't have to be fearless, but don't let fear stop you." What a great quote to live by. Bravo, Charlie Day.

[@boogav6898]

He should have ended with a, So do...

[@about99ninjas56]

Trundle so do would have been epic

[@darksimmie2572]

Lol

[@tiffanylau9293]

So touching! Love this speech

[@Cloudlol]

Dont be fearless just dont let fear hurt you - charlie day 2014

[@smokymchashball]

Very refreshing seeing Charlie be Charlie, and not a crazy maniac

[@TheKidVideos]

Fantastic speech. Genuinely inspiring.

[@originalshamus]

i was so hoping his whole speech would be "Hello fellow American. This you should vote me. I leave power. Good. Thank you, thank you. If you vote me, I'm hot. Taxes, they'll be lower... son. The Democratic vote is the right thing to do Philadelphia, so do."

[@LOogt]

Charlie, I just graduated and this meant a lot to me! My girlfriend and I are very inspired.

[@jennamesser6636]

the end of this speech is like the 4th of july fireworks finale.

[@SickThought813]

Great Speech I definitely have a lot more respect for him after hearing him talk. A true inspiration and motivator. Best of Luck Charlie!