'Star Wars' Director J.J. Abrams To Give Sarah Lawrence Commencement

BRONXVILLE, NY — Graduates at Sarah Lawrence College’s next commencement will hear from a Hollywood writer, producer and director whose career began at the Westchester County school. J.J. Abrams, class of 1988, will be the keynote speaker at the college’s 89th Commencement which will be held Friday, May 19.

According to information on the college’s website, Abrams began his career in his final year at Sarah Lawrence when he and a friend collaborated on a feature film treatment that was purchased by Disney Studios.

Abrams list of credits included writing, producing and directing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” producing and directing the “Star Trek” movie reboot and its sequel “Star Trek Into Darkness.”

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He has created or co-created and produced the television series “Felicity,” Alias,” “Fringe” and “Lost.”

Abrams is currently producing the HBO series “Westworld.”

Born in New York City, Abrams was raised in Los Angeles and planned to go to film school but was talked out of it by his father who said “it’s more important that you go off and learn what to make movies about than how to make movies.”

He now lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children.

Photo credit: Andrew Eccles Copyright 2009 Paramount Pictures/All Rights Reserved.