Any seasoned comedian knows how tough a cold crowd can be—but few have faced what Jerry Seinfeld did at Duke University in May.
There to receive an honorary degree, Seinfeld was met with protests over his vocal support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict. Dozens of students staged a walkout during his appearance, chanting “Free, free Palestine,” while others in the audience jeered.
The 70-year-old comedian, known for his iconic TV show Seinfeld, responded with a tense smile and kept his speech light, leaning on comedy and life advice instead of confronting the protest. “A lot of you are thinking, ‘I can’t believe they invited this guy.’ Too late,” he joked.
Seinfeld emphasized the value of privilege, saying, “Use your privilege. I grew up a Jewish boy from New York. That is a privilege if you want to be a comedian.”
Duke’s VP for communications, Frank Tramble, acknowledged the protest, stating the university supports peaceful expression as long as it doesn’t disrupt the celebration for graduates and families