Anthony Anderson went to Instagram to celebrate his graduation with fans by posting photos of his the joyful day and writing, “Yesterday was a full-circle moment. It’s never too late! Things happen when they’re supposed to happen!”
The “Black-ish” actor graduated from Howard University at 51 years old and was very proud of himself. He called the graduation a “full circle moment which was 30 years in the making.”
Other photos he shared from the ceremony featured other actors, including Taraji P. Henson, who gave the commencement speech, a Howard grad, and the present Dean of the Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University, Phylicia Rashad.
Keep reading to find out more.
Anthony Anderson Was Proud
As a caption for some pictures he posted, Anderson said, “To quote Biggie, ‘IT WAS ALL A DREAM!'” He continued, “Words can’t begin to describe the emotional roller coaster I’m on right now. It’s literally been 30 years in the making.”
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He announced that he had finally finished his Howard University BFA degree and graduated from the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. Then he told fans it was never too late to start something. He said, “Things happen when they’re supposed to happen!”
He also shouted out some friends for helping him along his journey, including Dean Denise Saunders Thomas, Rashad, Dr. Wayne Fredrick, and Courtney Bless Long. He also thanked his son for helping him.
“It takes a village. Thank you to my son @hotboynato for inspiring me to return to school to finish my degree after he was accepted into Howard University. This is just the beginning! HU,” he said.
Anderson Dropped Out Before
In a 2018 interview with Jimmy Fallon, Anderson talked about his graduation plans. He also told fans that he dropped out of school in the past for financial reasons. He explained that he saw himself through college but ran out of money after his junior year. He also talked about speaking to the university to let him take courses online and do “practical classes” to help him graduate with his son in 2022.
He added, “So I have four years to finish one year of college.” However, in an appearance on The Real, Sanderson noted that he couldn’t graduate with his son even though there was only a 15 credit difference.
“I am going to finish this spring,” he said on the talk show. “My degree will be in Fine Arts. I was a theater major while I was at HU and had to leave after my junior year because I ran out of money. And a few years ago, my son got accepted to Howard University and he inspired me to go back and get my degree.”
Anderson Partied With His Son T0 Celebrate His Graduation
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The “Black-ish” star shared on social media that his son took him out for a night of fun to commemorate his Graduation from Howard University.
He wrote, “When my son @hotboynato and his crew of 21 and 22 year olds took me to @brooklynonu to celebrate getting my degree. For the record I out drank, out smoked out lasted all of them! I’m GROWN! #justakidfromcompton #huskyandhandsome #bigzaddy #howardgrad #HU”
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Anderson’s graduation came some weeks after the actor waved goodbye to his most famous TV appearance, Dre Johnson, on the ABC series “Black-ish.” The fan-favorite sitcom revolved around the Johnson family and their lives as a black family living in a mostly white neighborhood. They also aimed to be more familiar with their roots and culture.
The show ran from 2014 to April this year for eight seasons. Before the premiere of the series finale, the actor wrote a sweet tribute to fans on social media dedicated to his period in the series.
He posted a clip from an episode and wrote, “Tonight marks the end of an era that has made such a monumental mark in not only my life… but also in my Co-stars, the Team at ABC, staff & crew and all of the guest stars that we have had on this show as well!”
Anderson Loved Black-ish
Anderson continued by expressing his love for the show. He noted that it helped America more than they could imagine. He said, “what this show has done and shown for the culture and African American families… really all American families overall, will never be forgotten.”
He also added that he was “humbly honored.” “Emotions are running the full gammet [sic] from joy, pride, sadness… Adoration and more! #Blackish is truly and forever will be one of my profainly [sic] proudest moments,” he continued.
Anderson also talked to People about how unapologetic the series was for how the episodes were scripted. “That’s what made our show appealing,” he explained. “And with the worldwide audience, wanting to better ourselves and live the American dream and have the best for all of our family, that’s what it was all about,” he continued.
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