Natalie Portman Harvard Commencement Speech | Harvard Commencement 2015

[APPLAUSE]

NATALIE PORTMAN: Hello, class of 2015.

I am so honored to be here today.

Dean Khurana, faculty, parents, and, most especially,

graduating students, thank you so much for inviting me.

The senior class committee-- it's

genuinely one of the most exciting things

I've ever been asked to do.

I have to admit primarily, because I can't deny it--

as it was leaked in the Wikileaks release of the Sony

hack--

that when I was invited, I replied.

And I directly quote my own email.

"Wow, this is so nice.

I'm going to need some funny ghostwriters.

Any ideas?"

[LAUGHTER]

This initial response, now blessedly public,

was from the knowledge that at my class day,

we were lucky enough to have Will Ferrell as Class Day

speaker, and that many of us, hungover or even freshly high,

mainly wanted to laugh.

So I have to admit that today, even 12 years after graduation,

I'm still insecure about my own worthiness.

I have to remind myself today, you are here for a reason.

Today, I feel much like I did when I came to Harvard yard

as a freshman in 1999, when you guys were, to my continued shock

and horror, still in kindergarten.

I felt like there had been some mistake,

that I wasn't smart enough to be in this company,

and that every time I opened my mouth,

I would have to prove I wasn't just a dumb actress.

So I start with an apology.

This won't be very funny.

I'm not a comedian, and I didn't get a ghostwriter.

But I am here to tell you today, Harvard

is giving you all diplomas tomorrow.

You are here for a reason.

Sometimes your insecurities and your inexperience

may lead you to embrace other people's expectations,