Conan O'Brien honored at Harvard University 375th commencement ceremony

Conan O'Brien also made fun of himself, listing his show titles as "Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, Conan, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, and Conan O’Brien Must Go". He further joked that he even tried to have the ceremony named Conan O’Brien Presents The Harvard Commencement Starring Conan O’Brien, keeping the moment light with his signature self-aware humor.

Conan O’Brien, a 1985 Harvard graduate and former head of The Harvard Lampoon, joked that the university has produced more Nobel Prize winners than any other in the country. He added that whether students choose a traditional path or something different, they are still among the best.

Conan O'Brien then reflected on his experiences over the years, especially through his travel shows, saying they helped him see the world in a different way. He shared that they taught him humility and helped shape a career. The host said his biggest wish for the graduates was that they go on to live meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Conan O'Brien returned to Harvard University and gave a positive speech. He spoke during a difficult time for the university. Harvard is currently facing legal and financial issues involving the Trump administration, including a lawsuit filed in March over concerns about how the university has handled antisemitism on campus.

Conan O’Brien reflected on how his Harvard background shaped how people viewed him early in his comedy career. He said, "Maybe my wish for you is not that Harvard becomes the last thing people know about you, but instead that Harvard become the least important thing people know about you."