On Tuesday, Jan. 15, actor, comedian, and writer Ben Schwartz—best known for playing “Jean-Ralphio” in the hit sitcom “Parks and Recreation”—came to UT for a night of comedy, life advice, and connection with UT students.

Schwartz entered to resounding cheers throughout the hall, taking a seat on an orange couch opposite two moderators. Schwartz kicked off the event, organized by UT’s Campus Board Events (CEB), with a short monologue—full of jokes, but also sincerity, expressing the fact that he’d once been in the audience’s place—a college student, a person with no more than a dream and a drive to attain it.

“I felt like it was impossible, when I was in your shoes,” Schwartz said, on the notion of achieving his goals in comedy, acting, and writing.

While Schwartz is best known for “Parks and Rec,” his career thus far has been prolific and diverse. He began as a joke writer on the “David Letterman Show,” then later for The Weekend Update on “Saturday Night Live.” Schwartz has also written for Robot Chicken and College Humor.

As an actor, Schwartz has tackled many varying projects, ranging from children’s films like “Turbo”(2013)to drama-comedies such as “The Intervention”(2016). Most recently, he appears as the voice of the eponymous blue hedgehog in “Sonic the Hedgehog”(2019, post-production).

In addition to acting, Schwartz works as a writer and director—in 2013, he wrote an adaptation of the 1991 film “Soapdish” as a Spanish telenovela, and has partnered with Amanda McCall in producing several children’s books.

Throughout the event, Schwartz’ experience in improv comedy shined through; he knew how to work with the crowd, riffing off of audience responses, engaging individuals in conversation and crafting recurring jokes from these conversations.

After the moderated segment, the two hosts opened up the floor to questions. Schwartz used this, also, as an opportunity to improvise and create jokes on the spot.

The actor, however, always tempered his levity with sincerity, delivering serious responses to serious questions, offering advice on writing, comedy, and the act of “making it” in the entertainment world. He responded to questions from writers, improv comedians, entrepreneurs, and interested students from throughout the campus community.

Kendall Jones, sophomore majoring in history, found the event to be thoroughly entertaining and had the chance to ask Schwartz his opinion on the Beastie Boys, which prompted several Beastie Boys-themed jokes from the comedian.

“It was one of the best experiences of my life; I got to talk to one of my heroes,” Jones said.

Jones admitted she knew Schwartz only from “Parks and Recreation,”but affirmed that she “would one hundred and ten percent be very interested in (his other work)” after seeing him live for the first time.

Schwartz was grateful for the chance to come to UT, as well.

“I really enjoyed talking to the students and telling (them) the stuff that I wish people had told me when I was coming up,” he said in an interview.

Schwartz emphasized the importance of perseverance, especially in the world of entertainment.

“The harder you work and the more opportunities you give yourself to try to succeed, the more likely you are to succeed … I think there is luck with it … but I think it’s (more) a combination of talent and hard work … the harder you work, you up your chances exponentially,” Schwartz said.

Moreover, those with a dream can’t be afraid of failure.

“At the beginning you have to bomb a bunch,” Schwartz said. “You learn from that … it forms you into the person you are.”

“To establish your actual voice, (you have to be) making mistakes … it all builds up to get you where you are,” Schwartz said.

What mattered most, Schwartz explained, was having a genuine possession for a work.

“If you’re following fame … you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. You’ve got to want to do it … I think if you really love it, that’s where it comes from … if you really love it, and you’re doing it at the beginning for no money and you’re hustling, and you still love it, you know you’re doing it for the right reasons.”

Schwartz concluded his visit at UT by climbing up to the organ nest (with the permission of requisite faculty members) and inviting an audience member to play the theme from “Phantom of the Opera.”

The familiar tune was well-matched by laughter and cheers.