CHICAGO (Azat TV) – Award-winning actress, producer, and entrepreneur Sarah Jessica Parker is set to address Northwestern University’s Class of 2026 at their 168th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 14, at the United Center in Chicago. The event, scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., will also see Parker receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts, recognizing her profound and lasting contributions across a career spanning more than five decades.
Parker, widely celebrated for her iconic portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw in the critically acclaimed television series “Sex and the City,” continues to be a prominent figure in entertainment and culture. Her role as Bradshaw cemented her status as a fashion and pop culture icon, a platform she has leveraged to champion the arts and amplify underrepresented voices globally. The “Sex and the City” franchise, including six seasons, two feature films, and three seasons of the spin-off series “And Just Like That,” earned Parker numerous accolades, including four Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Emmy Awards.
Parker’s Enduring Influence in Film and Television
Beyond her signature role, Parker has maintained an active presence on screen. She recently starred alongside Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy in “Hocus Pocus 2,” the highly anticipated sequel to the 1993 fantasy comedy “Hocus Pocus,” captivating audiences with her witty performance. Her extensive filmography includes diverse roles in movies such as “Extreme Measures,” “L.A. Story,” “The Family Stone,” and “I Don’t Know How She Does It.” On television, Parker’s credits include early roles in “Equal Justice” and “Square Pegs,” leading to her more recent starring and producing role in HBO’s “Divorce,” for which she received a Golden Globe nomination.
Interim President Henry S. Bienen praised Parker’s multifaceted career, stating, “Sarah Jessica Parker has been a strong supporter of the arts and humanities for many years, and I am thrilled she will be our commencement speaker. From starring in and producing film, television and theatre productions to her successful business ventures, Sarah’s iconic and versatile career speaks to the interdisciplinary approach we value and champion at Northwestern.” Parker herself expressed her honor, remarking, “It’s a privilege to celebrate a graduating class whose years of hard work, dedication to their studies, commitment to one another, their community and the larger world deserve real recognition.”
Broadway Success and Business Ventures
Parker’s career began on Broadway in 1976 with “The Innocents,” directed by Harold Pinter, and includes notable roles such as Annie. She most recently graced the stage opposite her husband, Matthew Broderick, in the critically acclaimed revival of Neil Simon’s comedy play, “Plaza Suite,” which achieved significant commercial success, becoming the third highest-grossing play revival in Broadway history.
Beyond acting, Parker is a successful entrepreneur and producer. She founded Pretty Matches Productions in 2005, which has produced a range of scripted and unscripted television shows, as well as narrative and documentary feature films. Notably, she executive produced “The Librarians,” which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and made the 2026 BAFTA longlist in the documentary category. Her business ventures also extend to an award-winning collection of wines with New Zealand-based Invivo & Co and the popular fragrance “Lovely.”
Literary Engagements and Philanthropic Commitments
Parker’s influence also extends into the literary world. In 2023, she launched SJP Lit, her own imprint in partnership with independent publisher Zando, dedicated to publishing thought-provoking stories from diverse and underrepresented voices. This followed her tenure as editorial director for the literary imprint SJP for Hogarth, where she published several acclaimed works, including Fatima Farheen Mirza’s New York Times bestseller “A Place for Us” and Selahattin Demirtaş’s critically acclaimed story collection “Dawn.” She further demonstrated her commitment to literature by serving on the 2025 judging panel for the Booker Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious literary awards.
Parker is also deeply involved in philanthropic and civic endeavors. She serves as a vice chairman of the Board of Directors for the New York City Ballet and as Honorary Chair of the American Library Association’s Central Book Club. In 2009, the Obama administration appointed her to the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and she recently joined The Partnership for New York City, a 501(c) organization fostering collaboration between business and government. Her enduring impact was further recognized in 2026 when she was honored with the Golden Globe Foundation’s prestigious Carol Burnett Award for outstanding contributions to television, underscoring her continuous relevance and esteemed position in the industry.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s continued presence in significant cultural events, from commencement speeches to prestigious awards and active production roles, underscores her sustained influence as a multifaceted artist and cultural arbiter, rather than merely a celebrated performer of the past.