Robert De Niro didn’t sugarcoat the truth when addressing the 2015 graduating class of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts on Friday. “You made it,” said the Oscar-winning actor, “and you’re f--ked.”

While some parents were undoubtedly clutching their pearls at the profanity, the majority of the audience (and even the professors standing behind the original Raging Bull) roared their approval of the blunt comment. De Niro wasn’t trying to be harsh, just painfully honest in his address to the crowd of aspiring actors, dancers, writers, directors, photographers, and filmmakers. He pointed out that the nursing graduates “all have jobs,” the business graduates “are covered,” and the law students they’re employed, ”And if they’re not who cares? They’re lawyers,” said De Niro, with perfect comedic timing.

While De Niro admired the graduates of the accounting school, he knew the artists didn’t have a choice when it came to their career paths. “You discovered a talent, developed an ambition, and recognized your passion,” he said. “When you feel that you can’t fight it, you just go for it. When it comes to the arts, passion should always trump common sense.”

“Yeah you’re f--ked,” De Niro added. “The good news is, that’s not a bad place to start.”

As to how to deal with the real world and all the rejection that populates it the actor noted, “I hear that Valium and Vicodin work.” He then recounted a few stories of his own rejections, including auditioning to play Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma, a part he assured the graduates he “could’ve played the hell out of.”

He ended his rousing—and surprisingly heart-warming speech—by telling the crowd that he was there to hand out his photo to the directing and producing graduates.

The ceremony can be viewed in full on Tisch’s website.