In 2005, John Krasinski's acting career exploded with the debut of the television series “The Office.” In the series, Krasinski played Jim Halpert, a loveable paper salesman who has a crush on the receptionist. More than a pretty face, Krasinski would go on to serve as a producer and occasional director for the show. In recent years, he's continued to make a name for himself beyond the confines of the former NBC sitcom. His credits include playing the titular character in a new Amazon Prime Original series and making his mainstream film directorial debut in "A Quiet Place," a well-received supernatural thriller.
As his stardom continues to rise in Hollywood, Krasinski has been awarded a number of accolades, including four Primetime Emmy Award nominations and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. In 2018, he was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Krasinski got his start in the entertainment world after he enrolled at Brown University. Though he initially thought about playing basketball for the school, Krasinski quickly became immersed in Brown’s theatrical offerings. During his university years, he studied theatre arts and joined the campus-based sketch comedy group Out of Bounds, while also working as an intern on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. In 2001, Krasinski graduated from Brown with a concentration in English. Wielding his latest headshots and brand-new Ivy League degree, he was finally prepared to take the New York City acting scene by storm.
These days, as one of Brown University's most successful alumni, Krasinski's repeated visits to the Providence campus make perfect sense. In 2008, Krasinski took time out of his Thanksgiving Day holiday to share his insights into the world of professional acting with Brown students. Back at his alma mater, the actor discussed his work on TV, regaled students with stories about his time as an undergrad, and even said that what he learned in his time at Brown was invaluable to his acting career. "I had my brain expanded to a place that I don’t even remember."
In 2019 Brown President Christina Paxson applauded Krasinski for his deep connections with the school. "John totally got Brown," Paxson explained. "He got... the openness to all things, that willingness to explore and try on different hats — perhaps the signature virtue of the Brown experience."
That same year the actor was not only given an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts from Brown, but was also asked to deliver the baccalaureate address at the commencement ceremonies.
"The future does indeed belong to you, but the abstract weighted responsibility to change it overnight very much does not," Krasinski told the approximately 1,700 students. And in doing so, the acclaimed actor joined another elite club, since past Brown speakers include Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Dalai Lama, and other cultural luminaries.