Jamie Lee Curtis Receives Honorary AFI Doctorate: “I Am Representation of the Underachiever Who Has Achieved”

As a longtime admirer of Jamie Lee Curtis, witnessing her journey from a seemingly underachieving student to an esteemed actress and now a doctor, leaves me in absolute awe. Her humble beginnings, coupled with her accidental foray into the world of art, serves as a testament to the fact that one doesn’t necessarily need a degree to make a significant impact in the film industry or life in general.

Approximately one year and a few months following her initial Oscar win, and just recently securing her second Emmy award nomination for her performance in The Bear, Jamie Lee Curtis has another achievement to her impressive resume: earning the title of “doctor”.

On a memorable Saturday, I was bestowed with an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts by the American Film Institute during their film school’s graduation ceremony in 2024. The legendary director of Halloween, John Carpenter, graced the occasion to award me this honor. He mentioned that our collaboration on Halloween catapulted us all into fame, but it was Jamie Lee who truly reigned supreme as the queen of horror films. I’m not sure she ever sought this title, but I have always admired her journey as an actress. Over the years, I’ve seen her evolve and grow, and finally, she received an Academy Award – a well-deserved recognition. Truly, Jamie is a remarkable talent.

Standing before the audience at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre, I found myself overcome with emotion. The words that spilled from me were fueled by a deep gratitude: “Firstly, I want to express my heartfelt thanks, John Carpenter. Thank you for shaping my life, every aspect of it, John.”

She admitted, “I shouldn’t be here,” sharing her struggles as a student who wasn’t great academically. Despite what might be diagnosed today, she couldn’t grasp the concepts easily. Somehow, with a 840 combined SAT score and a D-plus average, she found herself in a university setting.

For graduates, I serve as a model of someone who has succeeded despite underachieving in the past. Today, I proudly call myself an artist. At age 19, though, I was unsure about my future. Back then, I couldn’t have told you that I would become an actor – it happened by chance. Similarly, both my mother, Janet Leigh, and father, Tony Curtis, unintentionally became actors as well.”

Curtis additionally mentioned that she doesn’t claim to be academically intelligent or a film connoisseur, instead, she’s just a movie enthusiast. She reminisced about her attempt at creating a horror film using a Super 8 camera, which she wrote and directed, featuring a housewife who was devoured by her plant at home. She asserted, “You don’t need a degree to be an artist. While knowledge can be beneficial, it isn’t essential. I’m proof of an unintentional artist, but I proudly embody my artistry in every fiber of my being.”

She offered some guidance to the graduates, emphasizing that their unique minds were invaluable. She encouraged them to allow their thoughts to flow freely, to let their individuality shine, as this could lead them on a path to becoming figures like John Carpenter. In doing so, they might have the power to transform the world and impact lives such as hers.

Curtis ended with an inspiring message to “keep your minds open, stay independent, remain active, and maintain a high level of excitement. Avoid complacency, don’t believe you’re entitled to more than what’s coming. Instead, strive for it, work hard for it. Save the universe, if you can. God be with you all.”

Curtis has been added to the distinguished list of previous AFI award recipients who have also received honorary doctorates, such as Angela Bassett, Kathryn Bigelow, Mel Brooks, Carol Burnett, Clint Eastwood, Nora Ephron, Jodie Foster, Kathleen Kennedy, Spike Lee, David Lynch, Helen Mirren, Rita Moreno, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Paul Schrader, Quentin Tarantino, Lily Tomlin, Cicely Tyson, John Williams, and Michelle Yeoh.

2024-08-10 22:54

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