Hook ’em! Actor and Austinite Glen Powell to complete UT degree

AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s a homecoming in more ways than one for actor and Austin native Glen Powell as he announced he’d be returning to the University of Texas at Austin to complete his degree.

The Westwood High graduate confirmed to IndieWire Tuesday he’d be heading back to the classroom virtually while shooting his upcoming film, “The Running Man,” in the fall. While most of his classwork will happen online, he did say he’ll be returning to campus for proctored exams.

“I’m obviously going to be coming in, Zooming in for classes and whatnot, but I have to be back for the proctored exams,” Powell told IndieWire. “So, we’re figuring that out for two or three times a semester, I’ll come back for all my stuff.”

Completing his degree comes after Powell already relocated back to Austin from Los Angeles, telling TODAY hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager the Texas capital is where he feels the most himself.

“I kind of started feeling like LA wasn’t making me feel like me as much anymore, and Austin and my family has always made me feel like me,” Powell said. “So, as soon as I got this place and I’m so happy with it, it was like a great sense of peace because I travel around a bunch, but getting back into Austin made me be like ‘that was the best decision I’ve made.'”

He told the TODAY hosts his goal is to complete those few remaining credits — Spanish and early American history — to graduate in spring 2025.

The news was well received over on the 40 Acres, with UT welcoming the Austin native back with open arms.

“We love @glenpowell too and can’t wait to have him back on the Forty Acres!” the university shared on X , adding — to no one’s surprise — a hook’ em horns emoji at the end.

Along with beginning a degree at UT, Powell previously served as a keynote speaker, delivering the 2023 graduation address for UT’s Moody College of Communication .

Currently, Powell is in the midst of promoting his latest film “Twisters,” the standalone sequel to the beloved 1996 classic “Twister,” which starred Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

“Twisters” comes on the heels of Powell’s recent performances in “Hit Man,” 2023’s “Anyone But You” and the 2022 blockbuster hit, “Top Gun: Maverick.” Prior to his star turns in those films, other acting credits include the romantic comedy “Set It Up,” the comedy-horror television series “Scream Queens” and the Austin-made “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over.”

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