Actor
The Savannah College of Art and Design SCAD, 2017
John Malkovich, renowned actor and filmmaker, delivered a keynote address at The Savannah College of Art and Design in 2017. He shared his experiences and insights into the world of performing arts and the creative process.
10 top life lessons by John Malkovich
1. Embrace Uncertainty: Life is full of uncertainties, and it’s okay to be unsure about your next steps. Embrace the unknown, as it often leads to unexpected and fulfilling opportunities.
2. Overcome Doubt: Doubts about your abilities and future are natural, but don’t let them paralyze you. Overcoming doubt is a crucial step toward realizing your potential.
3. Pursue Passion: A fulfilling life involves pursuing what you are passionate about. Find what ignites your enthusiasm and be dedicated to it.
4. Build Community: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share common goals. A supportive community can be a source of inspiration and strength throughout your journey.
5. Embrace Failure: Failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success. Learn from your mistakes, persevere, and use setbacks as opportunities for growth.
6. Cultivate a Creative Life: Living a creative life is a valuable gift. It may come with challenges, but the rewards of self-expression and fulfillment far exceed the obstacles.
7. Value Education and Mentorship: Recognize the importance of education and the impact of mentors on your life. Cherish the lessons learned from both formal education and influential individuals.
8. Work Toward Common Goals: Success is often sweeter when achieved collectively. Strive for common goals, appreciate teamwork, and contribute to a sense of shared purpose.
9. Appreciate the Gift of Opportunity: The opportunity to live a creative life is a gift. Acknowledge the privilege it brings and be willing to invest effort and overcome challenges for the sake of your passions.
10. Have Confidence in Your Journey: Trust in your abilities, talents, and preparation. Your unique path will unfold, and, like the speaker, you may look back with gratitude for the journey you’ve taken.
Best quotes of John Malkovich‘s speech
"To have the opportunity to live a creative life, to have even the possibility of the opportunity to live a creative life, is a gift.""Great educators change lives."
To have the opportunity to live a creative life, to have even the possibility of the opportunity to live a creative life, is a gift.
Commencement speech transcript
Congratulations to the professors, instructors, and administrators. I trust you have a passion and an aptitude for educating young people, and may that ever be the case. I hope you realize your importance to this class graduating today, and your importance to past and future classes. Simply put — great educators change lives.
I wonder how many of you are nervous today, unsure of your next step, fearful of what tomorrow will bring, doubtful of your talents, uncertain of your preparedness, dubious about your prospects. When I was your age, I wasn’t at all sure of the path I had chosen. I had decided to join with some kids I had gone to college with, and to move to Chicago and start a theatre company. A part of me — perhaps the bigger part of me — was quite certain this effort would be doomed to fail. I suppose it’s time for me to finally admit I was wrong, as over 40 years after its founding in 1976, Steppenwolf Theatre continues to flourish. For those of you receiving your degrees today, my wish for you is that you find somewhere the same sense of community, the same singularity of purpose, the same sense of working towards a common goal, and the same forum for self-expression. I can’t imagine what shape my life would have taken had I not met my colleagues at university. They were — and remain — the most important influences in my working life.
To have the opportunity to live a creative life, to have even the possibility of the opportunity to live a creative life, is a gift. Yes, the gift may come at a price, but there is always a price for doing what you want in this life. But the rewards far outweigh any obstacles. So, graduates, I’ll leave you with that one. You’ll find your way. I did, and have more or less lived to tell the tale, and I sincerely doubt I was half as clever or talented or prepared as you are today.