You’ve seen the "We Are" shirts everywhere, but honestly, it’s kinda wild how many of the people on your TV screen actually spent their formative years in State College. It isn't just about football or Berkey Creamery ice cream—though those are definitely huge. Penn State has this weirdly consistent way of churning out people who end up running the world, whether they're winning Emmys or leading global corporations.
Most people think of the school as a sports powerhouse. And it is. But the list of Penn State celebrity alumni is actually a massive mix of high-stakes business leaders, Hollywood legends, and even the guy who designed your favorite pair of Nikes.
The Actors You Didn't Realize Were Nittany Lions
If you’ve ever watched Modern Family or Key & Peele, you’ve been watching Penn State grad students at work. It’s a bit of a fun fact that both Ty Burrell and Keegan-Michael Key didn't just go there; they both earned their Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the School of Theatre.
Ty Burrell, basically everyone’s favorite TV dad Phil Dunphy, graduated in 1997. He actually spent time as a bartender at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival before heading to Central PA to hone his craft. In interviews, he’s mentioned that his time in the MFA program was pretty intense, focusing on the "truth" of a performance. It’s funny because you can totally see that theatrical training in his physical comedy.
📖 Related: Romeo Beckham Explained: Why He Quit Soccer to Rule the Catwalk
Keegan-Michael Key finished his MFA a year earlier, in 1996. He wasn't just a student, though. He actually taught undergraduate classes while he was there. Imagine sitting in a "Theatre 100" class and having the future Luther (Obama’s anger translator) as your instructor. Key has often credited his Penn State training for his ability to do "object work" and mime—skills that became the literal foundation for his sketch comedy career.
Then there’s the late John Aniston. Long before the world knew Jennifer Aniston, her father was a Penn State student pursuing theatre arts. He graduated way back in the 50s and went on to become a staple of daytime TV as Victor Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives.
The Boardroom and the Newsroom
It isn't just about the arts. If you’ve bought Nikes lately, you can thank Mark Parker. He graduated in 1977 with a degree in Political Science. What’s really cool is that he didn't just study there; he ran for the Penn State track and cross country teams. He joined Nike in '79 as a footwear designer and eventually climbed the ladder to become CEO. That’s a massive jump from State College tracks to the top of the corporate world.
In the world of media, Lara Spencer is a name you can't miss. The Good Morning America co-anchor was actually a nationally ranked diver for Penn State. She attended on an athletic scholarship and graduated in 1991 with a degree in broadcast journalism. You’ve probably seen her posting on Instagram about her "Happy Valley" pride—she’s one of those alumni who really wears the school spirit on her sleeve.
Gridiron Greats and Recent Legends
We have to talk about Saquon Barkley. He’s arguably the most famous Penn State athlete of the last decade. Before he was breaking NFL records with the Philadelphia Eagles (and the Giants before that), he was doing humanly impossible things at Beaver Stadium.
Barkley’s stats at Penn State were basically a video game:
- 3,843 rushing yards.
- 43 rushing touchdowns.
- Over 5,500 all-purpose yards in just three seasons.
He’s more than just a stats guy, though. He’s become a face of the university, often returning for games and staying involved with the community. In 2024, he even won a Super Bowl and set the NFL record for most rushing yards in a season including the playoffs. Not bad for a kid from Coplay, PA who chose to stay in-state for college.
What Most People Get Wrong About PSU Alumni
There’s this misconception that if you go to a "Big Ten" school, you're just a number in a sea of 40,000 students. Honestly, that’s just not how it works there. The alumni network is one of the largest and most active in the world.
The university just announced its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards, and the list includes people like Jennifer A. Chambers, a Chief Medical Officer, and KC McClure, the retired CFO of Accenture. It goes to show that the "celebrity" status isn't just about being on a red carpet. It's about influence in fields like medicine, engineering, and global finance.
The school produces a specific kind of person: someone who knows how to work hard but also knows how to navigate a massive social environment. Whether it's Lisa Salters reporting from the sidelines of Monday Night Football or Tom Verducci writing for Sports Illustrated, there’s a common thread of "getting the job done" that seems to stick to people who graduate from here.
Actionable Insights for Future Lions
If you're looking to follow in the footsteps of these Penn State celebrity alumni, the path isn't just about the degree.
- Leverage the Network: Join the Penn State Alumni Association. It’s one of the biggest in the world for a reason. Whether you're in LA or London, you can find a "Penn State bar" or a networking group.
- Focus on the Craft: People like Keegan-Michael Key and Ty Burrell didn't just "show up." They went for specialized MFA programs that are notoriously difficult to get into.
- Cross-Pollinate: Mark Parker was a Poli-Sci major who ran track and ended up designing shoes. Don't feel like your major has to be your destiny.
- Stay Connected: The "We Are" culture is real. Showing up to Homecoming or Mentoring through the LionLink program can open doors that a cold email never will.
The reality of being a Nittany Lion is that the brand carries weight long after you've stopped eating late-night Canyon Pizza. From the heights of the Nike corporate offices to the stage of a Hollywood sitcom, the blue and white influence is pretty much everywhere.