Charlie Day may be known for his comedic chops, but the “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” actor infused some words of wisdom in an address to Merrimack College graduates earlier this week.
Day received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater — an honor also bestowed upon Mike Tyson and Kermit the Frog — and addressed student’s at Merrimack’s commencement Sunday.
The 1998 graduate, most known for “It’s Always Sunny,” kept his speech light, joking that students were hearing from a guy who has “made a living from pretending to eat cat food” and lied his way through a job interview, later receiving an offer from Fidelity.
But Day also offered students some handy advice and touched on his own experiences as he encouraged graduates to pave their own ways after leaving Merrimack.
“I had a sense that maybe I could create an opportunity that was better than the ones offered to me,” the actor said of his decision to turn down the job at Fidelity and move to New York instead.
Day then recalled receiving a part in the Fox sitcom “Life on a Stick,” which came at the same time he and some friends began shooting their own show called “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” The actor was faced with the choice of whether to take the spot or stick with his homemade show.
It’s clear which path he chose.
Now, “It’s Always Sunny” has seen 10 seasons and is projected to become one of the longest-running comedies of all time. “Life on a Stick,” however, only lasted five episodes.
That decision, Day told graduates, taught him a valuable lesson.
“Don’t wait for your break,” he said. “Make your break. Go make it happen for yourself.”
Watch Day’s epic graduation speech below.
