Arrested Development actor Tony Hale named Samford’s alumnus of the year

Tony Hale, the actor who portrayed Buster in the sitcom Arrested Development and voiced Forky in Pixar’s Toy Story 4, is also a Samford University alum.

This weekend, Samford named Hale its 2025 Alumnus of the Year.

Tony Hale is Samford’s 2025 Alumnus of the Year

Before his roles in Veep, Arrested Development, Toy Story 4, Inside Out 2 and many more, Hale was a Journalism and Mass Communication student at Samford University.

After graduating in 1992, Hale’s acting career took off and brought him Emmy-award-winning roles in sitcoms and animated films.

“Congratulations, Tony, and thank you for representing the Samford mission with excellence and creativity.”

Samford University on Facebook

Each year, the Samford University Alumni Association honors distinguished alumni. The awards are presented in three categories:

• Alumni of the Year: Samford University graduates of true distinction in their careers, widely known nationally or globally + embody the Samford University mission
• Outstanding Young Alumni of the Year: Alumni between the ages of 21-39 who have made significant contributions through their professional careers, display leadership + embody the Samford University mission
• Humanitarian of the Year: Recognized for selfless + tireless service to the society at large + embody the Samford University mission

Samford announced Tony Hale as its Alumnus of the Year during Homecoming this past weekend, November 8-9.

Get more Birmingham news like this when you sign up for our free newsletter.