De Niro talks to Bates grads, gets honorary degree
LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro received an honorary doctorate of fine arts during the 146th commencement at Bates College.
During a 15-minute address Sunday that was by turns sincere and irreverent, De Niro drew a steady stream of laughter from the 463 graduating seniors and more than 5,000 guests who gathered at the Lewiston campus.
De Niro, who left high school when he was a teenager to pursue an acting career, was one of three high-profile guests who received honorary degrees at Bates' commencement. PBS "Newshour" senior correspondent Gwen Ifill and Princeton University molecular biologist Bonnie Bassler also were honored.
De Niro won a best actor Academy Award for "Raging Bull" and best supporting actor Oscar for "The Godfather, Part II." He earned four more Oscar nominations.
