Tufts Alumnus Hank Azaria Finances Substance-Free Dorm At The School

MEDFORD, MA — Actor Hank Azaria, a 1985 Tufts University graduate, has given back to his alma mater by helping to improve the substance-free housing on campus.

According to Tufts Now, Azaria — known for his voice work on "The Simpsons" and as the star of the sitcom "Brockmire" — has helped finance renovations to Carpenter House, which became the university's second substance-free student dorm two years ago.

The university's other substance-free student dorm is Wilson House.

Students no doubt have different reasons for choosing to live and congregate at these substance-free spaces. University officials said the dorms provide a safe environment for students who are in recovery.

Last week, Azaria posted a message on X, formerly Twitter, commemorating National Recovery Month. In the message, he said he was "a gratefully recovering man" who has been "sober for 17 years."

Though the amount of money gifted by Azaria was not disclosed, the school said the funds are being used to renovate the building's public space. Among the improvements are the construction of an outdoor patio and upgrades to the existing backyard space, including the installment of cornhole and other game equipment.

"That patio will give us a cool space in an interesting part of campus," said Christina Alch, director of Residential Life and Learning. "It will increase the dorm's presence on campus, allowing for the substance-free environment to be carried outside of the walls of the house and have greater continuity with the rest of campus."

Officials said that the outdoor spaces will give students, even those who don't live in the house, a place to gather and socialize in a substance-free environment.

Azaria, who spoke at Tufts graduation in 2016, said he chose to support the renovations in order to help build bonds between students who choose to live on campus substance-free and alcohol-free.

"The students' bonding over a shared lifestyle has been its own reward and has led to lasting relationships much like I had in the drama department when I attended Tufts," Azaria said.

Azaria's contribution has led to the university's decision to rename Carpenter House as ... Simpson House, in honor of Azaria's work as a voice actor on the popular animated sitcom.