Denzel Washington Admits to Stage Fright Before U Penn Commencement Address

According to abc.com, actor Denzel Washington confessed he was a bit scared before giving his commencement speech at the University of Pennsylvania this week. Addressing about 5,000 graduates at the Ivy League school in Philadelphia, the Oscar- and Tony-winning actor said the ceremony was "a little overwhelming and out of my comfort zone," which he said is why he accepted the invitation to speak.

"I had to come exactly because I might make a fool of myself," said Washington. "I've found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. Nothing."

The 56-year-old star of "Malcolm X", "Philadelphia" and Broadway's FENCES delivered a humorous speech, but included the sobering message that "failure is inevitable." Yet rather than advising the graduates to have something to fall back on, he instead encouraged them to "fall forward, learn from their mistakes and keep going.

"Do you have the guts to fail?" Washington asked students. "If you don't fail, you're not even trying."

At the ceremony, Washington also received an honorary doctorate. In granting the degree, Penn President Amy Gutmann said that his moving performances have "entertained us, inspired us and often enlightened us."