Heart and Humor: A Conversation with Tom Shadyac

Come join us for an intimate evening filled with laughter and inspiration as we sit down with the legendary filmmaker Tom Shadyac. Tom is a highly successful Hollywood director, producer and writer, known for his comedy classics like Ace Ventura, The Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Patch Adams and Bruce Almighty.  Now focused on community work in Memphis and across the country, Tom will share insights on the intersection of humor and heart in his work and life. Where do we find our true selves? How might we imagine a more sustainable, inclusive and compassionate future? This thoughtful and entertaining in-person event will take place at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace and will be moderated by David Hadden. Don't miss this unique opportunity to hear from a Hollywood icon in a relaxed setting. Grab your tickets now!

This event is part of the Robertson Spirituality Series at HIU and the Spiritual Life Center. It is designed for people seeking deeper meaning and understanding, whether or not they identify with a religious affiliation. Learn more about the Robertson Series and other events at this link. 

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About the Speaker

Tom Shadyac is one of Hollywood’s all-time leading writer/directors with his films, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Nutty Professor, Liar, Liar, Patch Adams, Bruce Almighty, and Evan Almighty grossing nearly $2 billion dollars at the box office. Tom also produced the documentary Happy, and wrote and directed the documentary, I AM, which explores two fundamental questions – What’s wrong with our world, and what can we do about it? I AM has won numerous national and international awards and was one of the highest-grossing documentaries of 2011.

Tom is also a New York Times best-selling author, with the 2012 publication of his first book, Life’s Operating Manual. Of Lebanese descent, Tom comes from a unique and diverse background; he’s been an actor, screenwriter, and standup comic, while studying in depth the monastic traditions, ancient philosophy, mystic poetry, myth, and storytelling.

What sets Tom apart is his rare ability to blend humor and heart. In 2013, after teaching at Pepperdine for 8 years, Tom became filmmaker in residence at the University of Memphis and taught at LeMoyne-Owen College where his students introduced him to the pulsing promise of the Soulsville neighborhood. Soon after, he purchased two bankrupt buildings that became the Memphis Rox Campus, housing the world’s largest non-profit climbing gym, as well as numerous multi-faceted programs that serve the local community.