In show business, you never know how or when you'll get your big break.
For four-time Emmy award-winner Bill Boggs, who spoke yesterday as part of the Robert A. Fox Leadership Program's "Lessons in Leadership" series, the decisive moment came after an encounter with a blueberry pie that left his dad short one pair of pants.
While at a restaurant, Boggs' father accidentally sat on a pie, but instead of making a big fuss, he befriended the managers.
"In one moment, my father taught me to be a gentleman, and changed the course of my life forever," Boggs said.
The friendships formed that day later landed Boggs a summer job, during which he met the person who gave him a start in television.
Boggs went on to host television shows in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and New York, also appearing in a number of movies. He is currently the host of Food Network's Bill Boggs Corner Table.
Boggs, who graduated from Penn in 1962 and received his master's degree from the Annenberg School for Communication two years later, shared some of the lessons he has learned during his career in show business with a group of approximately 50 students in Logan Hall.
Throughout his talk, Boggs stressed the importance of believing in yourself and following your passions, no matter the cost.
"Wherever you are in life, it's really important to believe you can proceed in the direction of your dreams," he said. "If you follow that inner voice that is telling you what you really care about, I believe you will have a successful life."
Boggs discussed some of the points in his own life when he followed his dreams. While working at his first job, which he said he hated, he happened upon two co-workers doing a comedy routine for a secretary.
"In the middle of the routine, I had an epiphany," Boggs said. He recalled telling his co-workers, "I'm going to be your agent, and we're going to get out of here."
Boggs did just that and has been working in show business ever since.
This career has allowed him to interview a number of famous people, and he shared some of their insights.
From the singer Frank Sinatra, Boggs said he learned that "no matter how screwed up things are... adopt an attitude of gratitude at that point, and things will change."
According to Boggs, the success of Sinatra and other stars came from a single trait that they all shared.
"They each possessed a will to prevail because they believed in their God-given talent," he said. "They let their lives be driven by their passion."
One audience member asked Boggs what to do if you are unsure of your passions.
"I wouldn't let too many months or years go by in which you're not satisfied with what you're doing," he replied.
Fox Leadership Steering Committee member and College junior Jenny Lane said she was impressed by Boggs' speech.
"I like people who can recognize their strengths and inspire others with them," she said.
