Actor, Director DB Woodside ’91 Named 2023 Undergraduate Commencement Speaker

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 11, 2023) — DB Woodside, BA '91, who is best known for playing “Wayne Palmer” on the Emmy Award-winning series “24,” will deliver the keynote address at the University at Albany’s 2023 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 13. 

Woodside earned a degree from UAlbany in theatre before attending the Yale School of Drama. After graduating from Yale, he was cast as a regular in the TV series “Murder One.” From there he went on to star in “The Temptations” and wrote and directed the short film “First.”

In the years since, the Queens native has had recurring roles on “24,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Suits," “Single Ladies” and “Parenthood,” and guest-starred on other hit series including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “CSI” and “JAG.”

Woodside also had a recurring role on the fourth season of Fox’s “9-1-1: Lone Star” and now stars in the Netflix political conspiracy thriller series “The Night Agent.” He also recently starred in the highly successful Netflix series “Lucifer” and made his television directorial debut in the series’ sixth and final season.

On stage, Woodside made his New York theater debut starring in “The Conscientious Objector” as Martin Luther King at The Harold Clurman Theater. He also starred in “Romeo and Juliet” at the Ahmanson Theatre and most recently at the Geffen Playhouse in “Skeleton Crew” — a performance that earned him an NAACP Award for Best Lead Male in the larger theatre category.  

“We are thrilled to have DB Woodside return to campus as our 2023 Commencement speaker,” said UAlbany Director of University Events Christy Doyle. “His vast variety of acting, writing and directing projects, along with his New York City roots and passion for the University, all make him a perfect fit. His remarks will resonate with our graduates and their families.”

UAlbany will host a series of in-person commencement events from Thursday, May 11 to Sunday, May 14, that will celebrate the Class of 2023 – including the University-wide outdoor undergraduate ceremony.

The Commencement 2023  ceremonies will all be live-streamed and recorded.