From staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — Samford University alumnus and Emmy Award winner Tony Hale will return to his alma mater for several homecoming-related events Saturday, Nov. 1.
The 1992 Samford journalism and mass communication graduate will be the guest of honor at a VIP reception at 6 p.m. Hale will later discuss his acting career and his newly published book at a 7:30 p.m. program. Both events are on campus and open to the public. Tickets are on sale now.
“It’s always a blast returning to Samford and seeing old friends,” Hale said. “I’m really looking forward to sharing some of my experiences as well as my new book. It’s been quite a journey.”
Tony Hale
submitted photo
Hale won television’s 2013 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance as Gary Walsh in the HBO comedy, VEEP. His performance as the personal aide to the vice president of the United States, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, won him a nomination for the same award in 2014.
A 1995 graduate of Regent University’s School of Communication and the Arts, Hale first gained widespread acclaim for his role as Buster Bluth in the Fox comedy series Arrested Development (2003-2006). He is married to Emmy Award-winning makeup artist Martel Thompson, who is originally from Anniston. They have a daughter, Loy.
His most recent career news concerns the summer release of his first book, Archibald’s Next Big Thing (Boxing Clever Publishing). The children’s book cleverly and entertainingly tells the story of an unfocused young chicken whose extraordinary adventure teaches him the value of mindfulness.
While at Samford for homecoming, Hale will be inducted into the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Wall of Fame during an 11:15 a.m. ceremony in Bolding Studio.
For event and ticket information, contact the Samford Arts office at 205-726-2853 or go to tickets.samford.edu.
