Actor, Priest, and Community Leader Jack Gilpin to Speak at 176th Commencement Exercises

Gilpin has appeared in more than 30 feature films, including “Trouble With the Curve,” “Adventureland,” “Mulan,” and “21.” He has been featured in over 30 popular television series such as “Billions,” “Succession,” “Madam Secretary,” “The Good Wife,” and “Law & Order.” His Broadway credits include the world premiere of “Beyond Therapy,” with Stephen Collins and Sigourney Weaver, and “The Elephant Man,” with Rupert Graves and Billy Crudup. Off-Broadway, he was featured in “Chasing Manet” with Jane Alexander, Julie Halston, and David Margulies; in a revival of W. Somerset Maugham's “The Breadwinner,” and in a theatrical retelling of the radio drama, “Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers.” His regional theatre credits include Noël Coward’s “Design for Living” with Marisa Tomei, Campbell Scott, and Steven Weber at Williamstown Theatre Festival; Lucy Boyle’s “The Blue Deep” with Blythe Danner, also at Williamstown; “Uncle Vanya” at Barrington Stage Company, “The Philadelphia Story” at Hartford Stage; and “The Crucible” at Long Wharf Theatre.

Gilpin grew up in northern Virginia. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1969, and earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard in 1973. Called to the church later in life, he received his Master of Divinity degree in 1997 and was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2012, at the age of 61. He served as priest-in-charge and as rector at St. John's Episcopal Church in New Milford, Connecticut, until his retirement in 2020. Gilpin and his wife, Ann McDonough, a successful actor in her own right who has appeared in feature films, including “The Mothman Prophecies,” “Moonstruck,” and “Deceived,” have long supported local arts and community organizations. They have three children, including their daughter, Betty Gilpin, who is an Emmy-nominated actress and stars alongside Adam Driver and Anne Hathaway in the soon-to-be-released drama, “Alone at Dawn,” directed by Ron Howard.

Gunn’s 176th Commencement
The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a coed boarding and day school for 330 students in grades 9-12 and postgraduates, located in Washington, Connecticut. Its mission is to cultivate independent, critical thinkers who are empowered to be a force for good. It educates Highlanders to be ambitious citizens, who are always learning and courageous in character, like our founders, Frederick and Abigail Gunn. This year, The Frederick Gunn School will graduate 91 students, representing 17 states and nine countries, in the Class of 2026.

Commencement Exercises on May 24 will begin promptly at 10 a.m. on campus. The ceremony is open to students, faculty, family members, and invited guests only, as seating is limited. The event will be live streamed. Please refer to the 2026 Commencement page of our website on May 24 for the live stream link.

Dr. Emily Raudenbush Gum, the Bretter Family Head of School, will welcome guests and present the school’s top prizes, including the Gunn Cup, the Brinsmade Prize, and the Head of School’s Prize. The Prefect Addresses will be delivered by Martha Ewing ’26, Head Prefect, and Riker Napoleone ’27, Head Prefect-Elect, followed by the Commencement Address, the Charge to the Class of 2026, and the granting of diplomas by Associate Head of School Seth Low P’26 ’28.

Additional prizes will be presented during the Prize Night ceremony on May 23, 2026. The Prize Night ceremony is open to students, faculty, family members, and invited guests only.

Media Inquiries
Please direct all media inquiries in advance to Jennifer Clement, Director of Strategic Communications, 860-350-0177 or clementj@frederickgunn.org. 
 

Jack Gilpin stars as Church in HBO's "The Gilded Age." Photograph by Karolina Wojtasik/HBO