Temple is acclaimed for many reasons—its world-class faculty and world-class location, high-level research activity, diverse community, and drive to make a difference, among other distinguishers. No wonder we’ve been mentioned numerous times in pop culture.
In celebration of Temple’s 140th anniversary, we’ve compiled references to the university throughout film, TV, music and literature. Owls really are everywhere.
Temple in ‘Hustle’
Perhaps the most notable and frequent references to Temple appear in the 2022 Netflix movie Hustle. The film stars Adam Sandler as Stanley Sugerman, a Temple alum and 76ers scout. The university is mentioned in dialogue, set and wardrobe, including a vintage basketball jersey, pennant, T-shirt, and that iconic Johnson and Hardwick hoodie—which Temple’s bookstore sold for a limited time after the movie’s release.
Temple as a filming location
In the Emmy Award-winning series Friday Night Lights, which depicts the highs and lows of a Texas high school football team, Temple’s Main Campus served as the setting for the fictional Braemore College as cast and crew shot scenes here.
The Rocky sequel Creed starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone also filmed scenes on campus, including in the Temple Performing Arts Center.
John Chaney cameos
Hall of Fame Temple men’s basketball Coach John Chaney famously appeared in the 1998 movie He Got Game, directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington and former NBA player Ray Allen.
Additionally, Chaney is mentioned in the crime drama TV series Cold Case, which ran from 2003 to 2010.
Temple on ‘Jeopardy’
The university has popped up various times on Jeopardy, both in the clue and the answer, over the years. Most recently, it was the correct response on episodes airing in May 2024 and December 2024, respectively. I’ll take Jeopardy loves Temple for $400, Ken!
A famous fictional alum
Toby Flenderson, human resources manager at Dunder Mifflin in Scranton, is an Owl. This character from the hit American TV show The Office proudly shows off his diploma from Temple, where he earned a master of social work. He may be Michael Scott’s least favorite colleague, but he’s okay in our books.
Other on-screen mentions
Blink and you’ll miss it: In rapper Kid Cudi’s adult animated music TV special Entergalactic on Netflix, viewers can spot a Temple keychain.
In a season three episode of the American sitcom Abbott Elementary—created by and starring former Owl Quinta Brunson—Principal Ava Coleman jokes that “Princeton is the Temple University of the Ivies.” The workplace comedy follows a group of dedicated teachers at a Philadelphia public school.
In season four, episode seven of the TV series Monk, "Mr. Monk Goes to a Wedding," Randy Disher notes being a senior at Temple.
Temple was also mentioned various times in the TV drama series Boardwalk Empire, which is set in Prohibition-era Atlantic City. Alumni even worked on the show.
Loud and proud: Temple’s Diamond Marching Band appeared in a scene in the Martin Scorsese film The Wolf of Wall Street starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The band also appeared at the end of the 2014 Annie remake. Additionally, members of the band performed with Young Thug and Gunna on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Members can be seen in two episodes of the CBS show Madame Secretary as well.
In the 2000 romantic movie Love and Basketball, the University of Southern California basketball team plays against Temple.
By the book
In the 2019 novel Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, one of the protagonists, Emira Tucker, is a Temple graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in English.
She Gets the Girl, a 2022 young adult novel co-written by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick, also gives a couple nods to Temple. Although most of the book is set at the University of Pittsburgh, one of the main characters, Alex Blackwood, is from Philadelphia. At one point, she’s talking to someone named Megan, who’s about to be a sophomore at Temple and lives in a dorm close to the Greyhound bus station Alex departs from. The university is referenced again when Alex reveals during a girls’ rugby game that she’s staying neutral because she “kissed too many Temple girls to betray their trust now.”
Music to our ears
Philadelphia’s own Boyz II Men featured Temple memorabilia in the 1991 “Motownphilly” music video—check out the wall and armchair in the apartment around the 0:22–0:32 mark of the video.
Miscellaneous mention
In The New York Times’ popular online word game Strands, Temple was an answer in July 2024.
Did we miss any pop culture references to Temple? Let us know on social!