Known for compelling, powerful performances across the stage and screen, award-winning actor, producer, and writer Courtney B. Vance AB ’82 will be the featured speaker for Harvard Alumni Day—the annual University-wide celebration of the global alumni community hosted by the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA). The event will be held in Harvard Yard on May 31 and will also be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person.
“I am thrilled to welcome Courtney B. Vance back to Harvard,” says HAA alumni president Tracy “Ty” Moore II AB ’06. “An empathetic, creative genius, he captivates audiences through his realistic, nuanced portrayals of interesting public figures, and he brings to life fictional characters with honesty and depth. But his impact extends beyond his brilliant artistry. By bolstering the lives and careers of fellow artists, as well as giving back to the community, Courtney demonstrates how Harvard alums can elevate others in meaningful, values-aligned ways.”
Born in Detroit, he graduated from Harvard while working as an actor at the Boston Shakespeare Company. While studying for his master of fine arts at the Yale School of Drama, he met Angela Bassett, now his spouse and an award-winning actor in her own right. They have two children, founded Bassett Vance Productions, and work with many community organizations, such as UNICEF, Habitat for Humanity, and the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
“I am very excited to return ‘home’ to Harvard and see my alumni family,” says Vance. “And to have the opportunity to address the Harvard community is an honor. I very much look forward to what I know will be a wonderful day.”
Throughout his acclaimed career of over 40 years, Vance has portrayed a wide range of characters, both real and fictional, showcasing remarkable versatility. He won multiple awards for his performance as Johnnie Cochran in FX’s The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story—including Emmy, Critics’ Choice, and NAACP Image Awards, in addition to Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Golden Globe nominations. His role as Uncle George in HBO’s Lovecraft Country earned him an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor, and his portrayal of Aretha Franklin’s father, Rev. C. L. Franklin, in National Geographic’s series Genius: Aretha won an NAACP Image Award. His film roles include Hamburger Hill, The Hunt for Red October, The Tuskegee Airmen, The Preacher’s Wife, and Isle of Dogs.
Vance’s stage accolades include a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in Nora Ephron’s Lucky Guy, as well as Tony nominations for his debut performance in August Wilson’s Fences and for his lead performance in Six Degrees of Separation. He was also nominated for a Grammy for his narration of Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s book Accessory to War.
In addition to his artistic work, he serves as chair of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, which provides educational resources for individuals pursuing careers in all facets of the performing arts, and leads the Entertainment Industry Council, which provides support for artists throughout their careers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped orchestrate a fundraising effort that distributed more than $6.1 million to over 6,500 SAG-AFTRA performers and their families. He is also an ambassador for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Recently, Vance authored The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power—a deeply personal reflection on issues of grief, relationships, identity, and race that provides a framework for Black men navigating mental health challenges.
“We are thrilled that Courtney B. Vance is joining us and speaking at Alumni Day,” says Sarah C. Karmon, executive director of the HAA. “An accomplished actor, producer, and philanthropist, he embodies creativity and the importance of giving back. Through his work both on and off screen, he demonstrates how one person’s talents can make a difference. We look forward to hearing his insights.”
Harvard Alumni Day will take place on campus—and virtually for those who can’t join in person—on May 31. All Harvard alumni from across the University are invited to attend. For more information and to register, visit alumni.harvard.edu/alumni-day.