Ron Meyer To UCLA Showbiz Grads: 'You Don't Have To Be An Asshole To Succeed'

Christy Grosz is AwardsLine editor and a contributor to Deadline.

Universal President and COO Ron Meyer this afternoon made an expletive-laced commencement speech to the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Class of 2012. He told the graduating students that the best way to get ahead in showbiz is to ask questions. 'Assumption is the mother of all fuck-ups,' he told the audience. Twice. The longtime studio head also pointed out that despite the cliches 'You don't have to be an asshole to succeed.' He also stressed that finding an agent is the single most important thing a new graduate can do. Ask everyone you meet. 'Just don't ask me,' he warned. The ceremony was dedicated to the school's founding dean and Oscar ceremony producer Gil Cates. The commencement also honored directors Penelope Spheeris and Shirley Jo Finney with distinguished alumni awards.