X-men - Bryan Singer Donates $5 Million To Alma Mater

The Usual Suspects filmmaker graduated from the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts program in 1989, and now he has given back to the institution by cutting educators a large cheque.

As a result, the University's Division of Critical Studies, which offers classes in media, will now be named in his honour.

A statement from Singer reads, "In a way, I began my career in the Division of Critical Studies at Usc. Watching great films and learning how to think about film from the faculty transformed me as an artist and as a person. I am honoured to give back to the division and the school, which gave me so much."

And Dean Elizabeth M. Daley is overwhelmed by Singer's gift, adding, "We are thrilled and extremely grateful for Bryan's generosity and vision in naming SCA's Division of Critical Studies. His gift is not only a fitting recognition of the division's importance for the next generation of scholars and media makers, but validation of Critical Studies as a unique path to understanding and mastering the art and practice of cinema."