Celebrities with Degrees and Their Surprising Stories

Have you ever wondered what your favorite celebrities would be doing if they weren’t in front of the camera, behind it, or constantly avoiding the paparazzi? It might surprise you to know that many of them are actually highly educated, and might even be considered geniuses. It might come as a shock to discover that numerous beloved celebrities pursued higher education thanks to the pythagorean theorem calculator assistance. The roster of celebrities possessing college diplomas is more extensive than anticipated. In this article, we will examine the academic institutions where a handful of notable individuals obtained their degrees and the subjects they specialized in.

Indeed, this compilation demonstrates that not all individuals who enroll in college ultimately apply their degree directly to their occupation. Nevertheless, the valuable skills and knowledge acquired from attending college can still have a profound impact on one’s life.

Here is an overview of influential figures in the entertainment industry who initially pursued higher education, transitioning from television to film, singing to producing, and various other roles.

Mayim Bialik: Neuroscience

It has been discovered that Bialik possesses the same level of intelligence as the character she portrays on The Big Bang Theory. She successfully obtained a doctoral degree in neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles, where her research was centered around studying obsessive compulsive disorder in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome, an uncommon condition caused by malfunctioning of the hypothalamus. This achievement not only highlights her acting talent but also underscores her significant academic contributions, making her a distinguished member among celebrities with degrees in science.

Natalie Portman: Psychology

Not widely acknowledged: Portman did not attend the debut of Star Wars: Phantom Menace as she was preparing for her high school exams. Despite being in high school, she managed to have two of her papers published in scientific journals. Eventually, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Harvard University, , placing her among the esteemed list of celebrity Harvard graduates.

Portman has stated that she is not concerned about the potential negative impact of college on her career, prioritizing intelligence over fame as her preference. However, it is evident that she has achieved success in both aspects, as demonstrated by her involvement in the renowned Star Wars movie franchise. Additionally, here is a comprehensive update on the latest information regarding Star Wars: Episode IX.

Eva Longoria: Kinesiology

Eva Longoria, widely recognized for her role in “Desperate Housewives,” is not just a talented actress but also an academic achiever. She completed her undergraduate education at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. This field of study focuses on the science of body movement, blending physical health with scientific inquiry. Longoria’s pursuit of a degree in such a specialized area underscores her multifaceted personality and interests beyond the entertainment industry.

For those intrigued by the lesser-known facets of celebrities, Eva Longoria’s educational background is a compelling example. It reveals the diverse talents and interests that many famous individuals possess. To explore further, you might find it interesting to check out this list of “30 Celebrities with Impressive Hidden Talents,” which sheds light on the unexpected skills and academic achievements of well-known personalities.

Carrie Underwood: Mass Communications

In 2016, the famous country music artist successfully completed her bachelor’s degree in mass communications with great distinction from Northeastern University. Her academic success places her among the list of famous communications majors. She has mentioned that had she not achieved significant success on American Idol, she would have chosen a path in television journalism instead, demonstrating her interest and potential in that field.

Chris Martin: Greek and Latin

Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, finished his studies in Greek and Latin at University College London, where he crossed paths with his three future bandmates: Will Champion, who majored in Anthropology, Jonny Buckland, who pursued Mathematics, and Guy Berryman, initially studying engineering and later architecture, though he eventually left his studies.

Martin informed BBC Radio that he traveled to London with great aspirations, similar to Dick Whittington’s quest for wealth. Lacking a feline companion, Martin relied on approximately twelve bags and his father’s assistance to reach his destination. Eventually, Martin arrived at Ramsay Hall, a notable location on Tottenham Court Road, where he encountered Johnny, resulting in a significant turning point in his life.

Rashida Jones: Comparative Religion

Jones, a former student and one of the celebrities who graduated from Harvard, initially aspired to pursue a career in law during her college years. However, her perspective shifted when she reconsidered her plans after being influenced by the O.J. Simpson trial.

In LA Magazine, Jones expressed his disappointment with the O.J. Simpson trial. He came to understand that sometimes privilege can override justice, which was disheartening. Despite overwhelming evidence against Simpson, his powerful defense team led to his acquittal. Jones despised the idea of Simpson symbolizing justice for black individuals in California. This trial ultimately influenced his decision to pursue a different career path, as he had initially wanted to become a lawyer.
After obtaining her degree in comparative religion in 1997, she actively participated in various theater productions during her time at university. Remarkably, she secured her first television series role even before completing her college education.

Will Ferrell: Sports Information

Ferrell completed his studies at the University of Southern California in 1990, earning a degree in Sports Information, a field that is often unfamiliar to many.

“In 2017, during his graduation speech at his old university, he made a playful remark about sports information. He mentioned that this program was extremely challenging and demanding, to the point that it was terminated just eight years after his graduation. He humorously referred to those with sports information degrees as an exclusive and select group, comparing them to USC graduates who are like the esteemed Navy SEALs. He emphasized that the number of individuals with these degrees is limited and there was a significant rate of students who couldn’t complete the program.”
According to Ferrell, the concept of “Sports Information” no longer exists, but you can pursue your passion for both sports and business by obtaining a degree in Sports Management.

Rebel Wilson: Law

Rebel Wilson, known for her roles as comedic characters in films, holds an impressive academic credential in real life—a law degree from the University of New South Wales. This achievement places her among the notable actors with law degrees. In a 2016 interview with Seth Meyers, Wilson addressed a common misconception about her intelligence. She emphasized her educational background, highlighting her graduation from a prestigious Australian institution often likened to Harvard. This aspect of Wilson’s life showcases her diverse talents and capabilities, distinguishing her in both the legal and cinematic worlds.

John Legend: English

The highly praised artist pursued a degree in English with a focus on African-American literature and culture at the University of Pennsylvania. Throughout his university years, he actively participated in choirs and a cappella ensembles, took part in musicals and talent showcases, and even penned his own musical compositions.
Legend stated in his 2014 graduation speech at his former school that he dedicated a significant amount of effort towards enhancing his skills as an artist, writer, and performer. This commitment not only improved his abilities in those areas but also had a positive impact on his academic performance and leadership skills. Legend emphasized that when one has a genuine passion for something, it naturally inspires them to take a lead in that field.
After completing his studies, he began working at a consulting company located in Boston. However, he decided to resign after discovering that his genuine love and interest lied in the field of music.
In his motivational speech, he expressed that we were all created with the ability to love. He discovered that our greatest achievements and highest levels of success are not solely based on intelligence or hard work. It does not depend on becoming millionaires faster than others. The secret to achieving success and happiness lies in embracing love by expanding our minds and opening our hearts. This involves engaging in activities and surrounding ourselves with individuals whom we deeply care about.

Lisa Kudrow: Biology

In 1985, Lisa Kudrow, a notable example among actors with college degrees, graduated from Vassar College with a degree in biology. If you want to learn about a heartwarming tradition that the Friends cast had before filming the show, check out Lisa Kudrow’s interview about it.

David Duchovny: English Literature

David Duchovny’s journey, highlighting the significance of an actors education, began with academic excellence. Prior to pursuing a career in acting, Duchovny excelled in his studies and completed his undergraduate education at Princeton University with the highest honors, majoring in English literature. He furthered his academic pursuits and obtained a Master’s degree in English from Yale University, but did not complete his doctoral thesis titled “Magic and Technology in Contemporary Fiction and Poetry,” thus remaining in the status of ABD (All But Dissertation). Despite this, his educational background proved beneficial as he has successfully published three books.

James Franco: Creative Writing

James Franco, an exemplar among actors with PhD degrees, is widely recognized for his acting career, but he also harbors a deep passion for creative writing. He obtained his M.F.A. from Columbia University in 2010, and later continued his academic journey by pursuing a Ph.D. in English at Yale. In the same year he graduated from Columbia, he released his first collection of short stories called Palo Alto, and his work has been featured in esteemed literary publications multiple times since then.

Rowan Atkinson: Electrical Engineering

During his time at Oxford, Rowan Atkinson, who is celebrated as one of the greatest silent comedians of all time and is a prominent figure among actors with engineering degrees, created the iconic character ‘Mr Bean’. Hugh Laurie studied anthropology and archaeology in his academic career.

Hugh Laurie: Social Anthropology

Hugh Laurie, a name among the famous people who went to Cambridge, embarked on his academic journey there before achieving fame as an acclaimed actor. Prior to achieving fame as an acclaimed actor, Laurie pursued studies in anthropology and archaeology at Cambridge University. Interestingly, he excelled as a rower and had aspirations of qualifying for the Olympics, training rigorously for up to eight hours a day. Unfortunately, his dreams were shattered due to a bout of mononucleosis. If you want to discover other celebrated stars who have proven their athletic abilities alongside their success in the entertainment industry, take a look at the article “25 Celebrities Who Are Secretly Amazing Athletes.”

Freddie Highmore: Spanish and Arabic

Most likely, you are familiar with him primarily as the disturbed protagonist in Bates Motel, but were you aware that he successfully obtained a Spanish and Arabic degree from Cambridge University during his time working on the chilling show?

Mara Wilson: Creative Writing

The actress who enchanted us with her extraordinary talent in playing the main role in Matilda entered our hearts through her graceful dance. However, after joining NYU Tisch’s School of the Arts, she made the choice to give up acting and redirect her energy towards writing.
When the person was a child, they used to engage in acting. They still participate in acting occasionally for their friends’ projects, but it is solely for enjoyment. In an interview with Parade in 2013, they stated that acting has become a hobby for them, while writing has become their primary focus in life.

Gabrielle Union: Sociology

Union is most likely recognized for her role in the popular movie Bring It On, which has a strong following among teenagers. She completed her education at UCLA and earned a degree in sociology. If you’re interested in similar enjoyable films to the iconic cheerleading movie, you should explore The 40 Greatest Teen Movies Ever—Ranked.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Economics

At the age of 31, Schwarzenegger was already recognized as the most exceptional bodybuilder globally. However, the Mr. Olympia champion desired to possess intelligence in addition to his physical strength. As a result, he pursued higher education and obtained a bachelor’s degree in international business and international economics from the University of Wisconsin, Superior in 1979.
In a 2003 article, Rhea S. Das, a professor who played a part in his recruitment, stated that the profession he aspired to required a certain level of credibility. He was aware that not having a degree would be seen as a deficiency.

Rooney Mara: Psychology

Prior to achieving success as an esteemed actress, Mara graduated from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study in 2010 with a degree encompassing psychology, international social policy, and nonprofits.

Ken Jeong: Medicine

In the movie The Hangover, he portrays a foolish character, but in reality, he is a certified doctor who completed his education at Duke University in 1990 and earned his medical degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine in 1995. Although he chose acting over practicing medicine, his medical knowledge likely serves him well in his starring role on the ABC sitcom Dr. Ken.

Gerard Butler: Law

Butler obtained a degree in Law from the University of Glasgow School of Law before becoming a leader in the war film 300. After completing his studies, he became a trainee lawyer at a firm, but frequently missed work because of his intense partying. Eventually, at the age of 25, he decided to pursue a career in acting and moved to London, and the rest is well-known.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: Criminology

We are all aware that he was known as one of the top professional wrestlers globally before transitioning into a successful action star. However, were you aware that in 1995 he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Physiology from the University of Miami? Sadly, this period was not particularly joyful for him, but he managed to persevere. To find out more, check out the article on how Dwayne Johnson conquered his severe depression.

Brooke Shields: French Literature

In 1987, the well-established model and actress successfully completed her undergraduate studies in French Literature at Princeton University. Her senior thesis, titled “The Initiation: From Innocence to Experience: The Pre-Adolescent/Adolescent Journey in the Films of Louis Malle, Pretty Baby, and Lacombe Lucien,” was considered quite appealing and compelling.

David Spade: Business

The comedian obtained a business bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in 1986, well before he rose to fame on Saturday Night Live and Just Shoot Me!. If you’re interested in other fantastic sitcoms, make sure to take a look at 20 cherished TV shows from the 1990s that you might have completely forgotten about.

“Weird Al” Yankovic: Architecture

Alfred Matthew Yankovic, popularly known as “Weird Al,” surprisingly obtained a bachelor’s degree in architecture from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
29Brian May: Astrophysics
The band names that Queen and Brian May initially considered were not the best choices.
He is recognized as the guitarist with abundant hair in the famous band Queen, but he also earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Imperial College, London, in 1968. In addition, he received a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the same college in 2007 for research he began as far back as 1971.

Danica McKellar: Mathematics

McKellar pursued a degree in mathematics at the University of California after her role in The Wonder Years. During her time there, she collaborated on a research paper called “Percolation and Gibbs states multiplicity for ferromagnetic Ashkin–Teller models on…”

College Teaches Transferable Skills

From the condensed list provided, it is evident that numerous well-known individuals had different aspirations prior to gaining fame. Despite some individuals being aware of their desire to enter a particular industry, they recognized the significance of obtaining a degree. On the other hand, certain individuals pursued completely unrelated fields of study, but the adaptable abilities and connections fostered within college are unparalleled and remain unforgettable.
Whether you decide to attend an online university or a conventional on-campus school, you will develop and refine abilities that will be beneficial for your future profession. These skills encompass:

1. Time management
2. Problem-solving
3. Communication
4. Perseverance
5. Focus

Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to connect and establish relationships with students hailing from various countries, consequently expanding your social network.

Final Words on Celebrities with Degrees

These famous individuals possess an invaluable possession that cannot be taken from them: their education. Although their popularity may be temporary or long-lasting, their knowledge endures forever as they are celebrities who pursued higher education. This is what renders the process of earning a degree so splendid and worthwhile; it never diminishes with time.