Crystal Wise
In a year when the boundaries between screenwriter, director, and Texan legend blur, Taylor Sheridan, the man behind “Yellowstone” and a dozen other groundbreaking projects, is bringing his larger-than-life storytelling to the stage at The University of Texas at Austin. On May 10, the Fort Worth-born icon will take the mic as the keynote speaker for the 142nd Commencement Ceremony at one of the nation’s most storied universities. Talk about icon status: Austin, with its very own roster of elite celebs, is calling on a homegrown hero to send off a new class of Longhorns into the world.
Sheridan's rise to fame is as epic as the stories he crafts. With his gritty, nuanced Westerns, he has carved out a permanent place in pop culture. From “Yellowstone” to “Mayor of Kingstown,” “Tulsa King,” and “1883,” his name has become synonymous with authenticity. His ability to bring the American frontier to life has earned him praise from all corners, capturing everything from the spirit of rural communities to the complexities of Indigenous cultures.
But long before he became the voice behind some of TV’s biggest hits, Sheridan was just a Texas kid, raised on a ranch. That upbringing gave birth to his passion for Western storytelling, shaping the characters and worlds that now captivate millions. His deep-rooted connection to the Lone Star State is undeniable, whether through his celebrated film and TV work or his ownership of the legendary Four Sixes Ranch.
“Taylor Sheridan is the definition of a visionary Texan,” said UT interim president Jim Davis. “His journey embodies hard work, creativity, and staying true to your roots — values that speak directly to Longhorn Nation. We’re beyond thrilled to have him join us at the Forty Acres.”
Sheridan’s rise in Hollywood hasn’t just been about accolades, though. It’s about impact. As an advocate for the Texas film industry, he’s been a force in the state legislature, along with A-list celebs like Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, pushing for better investment in the Texas film and television tax incentive program. The results? More jobs for Texans and an economic boost in the hundreds of millions of dollars, all while filming some of his most iconic works on Texas soil.
And it’s not just the big screen where Sheridan’s story shines. His film debut as a writer-director, “Wind River,” earned him Best Director honors at the Cannes Film Festival. Prior to that, his screenplay for “Hell or High Water” earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. His creative output shows no signs of slowing, with a slate of upcoming projects like “The Madison,” a film partly shot in Texas and set to make waves later this year.
In 2021, Sheridan was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame for his contributions to Western heritage. Today, he lives with his family in Weatherford, holding tight to the state that shaped his career.
For the graduates of the Class of 2025, Sheridan’s words on May 10 will be more than just a speech — they’ll be a master class in perseverance, vision, and staying grounded in one’s roots. This year’s commencement, set to draw over 50,000 attendees to the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, promises to be a celebration of everything that makes Texas great, complete with student performances, drone shows, and a fireworks finale to mark the occasion.
It’s a humbling moment for Sheridan — a Texan by birth, storyteller by craft — standing before thousands of graduates, sending them off into the world with the kind of fire that’s defined his own journey.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be invited to speak at the UT Austin commencement,” Sheridan said in a release. “This University has long been known to champion excellence, integrity, and bold ideas, and I’m excited to celebrate the Class of 2025 as they step into the next chapter of their lives.”
