Jerry Seinfeld hits Durham this weekend, following public comments in support of Israel

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who has made headlines recently for his support of Jews in the U.S. and Israel, will give the commencement speech at Duke University this weekend.

In December, Seinfeld traveled to Tel Aviv to meet with families of hostages being held by Hamas, according to The New York Times. He has also shared posts on Instagram calling for the release of Israeli hostages and supporting Israel. These comments are in stark contrast to those of students from across the country, including at UNC-Chapel Hill, who have set up encampments to protest university administrations, U.S. politicians and the Israeli government.

But it’s not just his opinion on the war in Gaza that has launched Seinfeld into the spotlight in recent weeks. During an interview with The New Yorker, Seinfeld discussed the state of comedy, saying there’s no new funny television anymore. He credited this to “the extreme left and P.C. crap, and people worrying so much about offending other people.”

Seinfeld also directed and stars in a new film, “Unfrosted.” Released on Netflix earlier in May, the film — also starring Hugh Grant, Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan and Amy Schumer, among others — is loosely based on the story of the race between Kellogg’s and Post to create the toaster pastry. (Spoiler: Kellogg’s wins.)

With the “Seinfeld” co-creator’s upcoming arrival to North Carolina — May 12 at 9 a.m. at Wallace Wade Stadium, to be exact — here are some things to know for this graduation season.

What are Seinfeld’s connections to Duke?

The comedian’s daughter graduated from Duke in 2023, and one of his sons is a current student, in the class of 2025, The News & Observer has previously reported.

Seinfeld and his wife, Jessica, are chairs of the Duke Parents Committee, a volunteer group that raises money for the university. “Through the Parents Committee, we’ve enjoyed meeting professors and administrators who are invested in our kids,” the Seinfelds wrote in a statement on the group’s website. “We have met fabulous parents who are doing interesting and creative work around the globe.”

The announcement that Seinfeld was selected to be this year’s commencement speaker came in a video shown during the March 9 men’s basketball game between Duke and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Seinfeld has also been spotted in the stands of Cameron Indoor, watching men’s games in 2019 and 2022.

Other celebrities whose kids became Blue Devils

Within the entertainment industry, there are a few other famous parents of Duke students.

▪ Jessica Springsteen, the daughter of rock superstar Bruce Springsteen and Patti Sciafla, graduated from Duke a decade ago. She later won a silver medal in team jumping at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

▪ Singer John Mellencamp’s son Hud Mellencamp was a walk-on player on Duke’s football team in 2015.

▪ Rob Lowe’s son Matthew Lowe graduated in 2016. The two, joined by the other Lowe brother, John Owen, appeared in a reality TV series on A&E called “The Lowe Files,” where they explored infamous mysteries.

Of course, celebrity parents of Duke students and alumni come from outside the world of entertainment. Michael Strahan, the former New York Giants player and current morning show host and sports commentator, is the father of Duke student Sophia Strahan.

And Andrew Giulliani, the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, made headlines in 2008 when he sued Duke in 2008, after the university kicked him off of the varsity golf team. A federal judge later threw out the case, saying in the order that there was no evidence of a contract between Giuliani and the university that guaranteed him a spot on the team and a lifetime membership to Duke’s “state-of-the-art” golf facilities.

Commencement speakers at other nearby universities

Here’s who else is talking at local graduation ceremonies this year:

• UNC-Chapel Hill: Zena Cardman, an astronaut who is expected to travel to the International Space Station in August

• N.C. State: David W. C. MacMillan, a Nobel Prize-winning chemist

Jessica Banov and Korie Dean contributed to this story.

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