Sterling K. Brown to Speak at Tulane Commencement 2026

"This Is Us" Star Sterling K. Brown to Keynote Tulane University’s 2026 Commencement

The three-time Emmy winner will address graduates at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on May 16 at 5 p.m.

Aisha Palmer

Apr 1, 2026, 12:04 PM PT · 2 min read

Susan Kelechi Watson Sterling K Brown Milo Ventimiglia — Photo: Chris Roth / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

THE RUNDOWN

Sterling K. Brown is the keynote speaker for Tulane University’s 2026 graduation.
The ceremony takes place Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Graduates will gather at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Brown has won three Emmy Awards and an Academy Award nomination.
The announcement was confirmed by WWLTV and The Tulane Hullabaloo.

Tulane University has officially announced that three-time Emmy Award winner Sterling K. Brown will deliver the keynote address at its 2026 Unified Commencement ceremony. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the Caesars Superdome. The selection of the acclaimed actor was confirmed by university officials and reported by The Tulane Hullabaloo and WWLTV.

Brown is a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, best known for his emotional performance as Randall Pearson in the NBC drama This Is Us. He also garnered critical acclaim and an Emmy for his portrayal of Christopher Darden in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. More recently, the St. Louis native received an Academy Award nomination for his role in the 2023 film American Fiction.

Shane Black Sterling K Brown Olivia Munn — Photo: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The upcoming ceremony marks a major milestone for the Class of 2026, as they gather in one of New Orleans' most iconic venues. Tulane President Michael A. Fitts has historically emphasized the importance of bringing speakers who reflect the university’s values of leadership and resilience. Brown’s address is expected to draw thousands of students, faculty, and families to the heart of the city for the late-afternoon celebration.