Brad Grey, chairman of Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, joined the likes of CNN correspondent Wolf Blitzer and Miramax Films co-chairman Harvey Weinstein when he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the university Thursday.
Grey, a 1979 UB graduate, is a producer for The Sopranos, the highly-acclaimed HBO drama; films such as "In Memoriam," a documentary on Sept. 11, 2001; "Scary Movie"; and, most recently, "View from the Top."
Grey was honored for his accomplishments and contributions to the entertainment industry.
"Throughout his trailblazing career, he has excelled by combining extraordinary business savvy with an instinct for creative talent and nurturing innovative ideas," stated President William Greiner in a press release.
Grey received his honorary degree at a private luncheon reception held at the Greiner family's home. Grey also held a special student address held at the Center for the Arts, which was not open to the press.
Grey did, however, agree to an interview with The Spectrum later in the afternoon. In that interview, Grey, who has not visited Buffalo in 25 years, discussed the changes he observed both on- and off-campus since his days as a UB student.
When he was a student in the late 1970s, UB's North Campus was just opening. Grey said he remembers taking out the only video camera at the school and filming short comedy skits with his friends. The students at UB today also surprised him, Grey said.
"When I went to school here, I think there were few and far between that had any of the interest or the aspirations of the kids I met today," said Grey.
Grey was originally a student at SUNY Brockport before transferring to UB, which he said was his first-choice college.
"What I remember most, 25 years later, are some of the values I've learned at college," said Grey.
"I did not enjoy my time at Brockport. I transferred here with friends I had at Brockport and got into the communication department, which I really enjoyed," he said.
Grey said he knew early on that he would go into the entertainment business.
"As early as I remember, I was one of those odd kids that knew exactly where he was going to go in terms of a career," Grey said. "I was always enamored with entertainment on a human level."
Grey said he remembers watching "The Ed Sullivan Show" with his grandfather as a child and is a fanatic of "The Honeymooners."
"If you look at some of the best television and film today, you will see elements of the Honeymooners," he said. "Even in the Sopranos, oddly enough."
During Grey's special address, Grey said, he showed students a tape of himself from the late 1970s on AM Buffalo with comedian Bob Saget. Grey said this marked the start of his career in the entertainment industry, as a runner for the then-local concert promoter Weinstein.
"When I think back, I have so much that I remember because I not only had my first job in the entertainment business which is obviously how I spent my life," Grey said. "I met my wife here and started a life. I've made lifelong friends."
Rick Maciag, a senior media studies major, said Grey's private speech was encouraging because it gave students like Maciag hope that they can succeed in the industry.
"I think it was really inspirational that you can see someone that came back to get an honorary doctorate," said Maciag.
Grey said he hoped to do more than just inspire students with his address. Every student in attendance received an information packet with several pieces of Grey's work, including "In Memoriam," "Scary Movie" and the complete third season of "The Sopranos." Also included were two books of which Grey's production company recently acquired the film rights to: Pat Conroy's "My Losing Season" and David Rensin's "The Mailroom."
Grey said he felt Conroy's book illustrates the topics he spoke about with the students at the speech: learning from moments of loss.
"It's about how you have to be resilient to go through that and find your moment of success," Grey said. "I was quite taken by Pat's book."
Rensin's book was included for students interested in the business side of the entertainment industry, he said.
"It will give the students a sense of what goes on in terms of the beginnings of a career in the representation business," said Grey.
Maciag said he felt Grey's speech gave him - and others like him who will soon graduate - some direction, since Maciag said Grey's success demonstrated to him that anything is possible.
"I thought it was really motivational," he said. "I got quite a bit out of it."
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
