Actresses Who Were Expelled From High School

Many famous actors and actresses didn’t follow the typical path to success. While some benefited from top drama schools, others became stars despite facing challenges in their youth – some were even expelled from high school. Whether it was due to acting out, struggling in class, or early trouble with the law, these performers found a way to overcome obstacles and achieve huge success in movies and TV. Their stories show that there’s no single route to becoming a star.

Adele Silva

This actress is famous for playing Kelly Windsor on the British soap opera ‘Emmerdale’. She trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, but was asked to leave – along with Amy Winehouse – for not following the school’s rules. She actually started acting as a child, with an appearance on ‘Doctor Who’. Even after being expelled, she continued to work in television, appearing in shows like ‘Casualty’ and ‘Hollyoaks’, as well as some reality TV and independent films.

Amy Winehouse

Known worldwide as a singer, the late artist also acted in the film ‘The Last Party’ and provided voices for several projects. She trained at the renowned Sylvia Young Theatre School in London, but was asked to leave at 14 after failing to apply herself and for breaking the school’s rules by wearing a nose ring. Despite this setback, she achieved massive success with her album ‘Back to Black,’ which went multi-platinum and won five Grammy Awards. Her distinctive voice and style continue to influence music and entertainment.

Angelina Jolie

The Oscar-winning actress went to Beverly Hills High School, but she didn’t quite fit in with the wealthy students. She’s shared that she was eventually asked to leave because of her rebellious nature and unique interests. Before fully committing to acting, she even thought about becoming a funeral director, and later studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. Her early success in films like ‘Gia’ and ‘Girl, Interrupted’ quickly made her a standout performer. Since then, she’s become a worldwide figure, known both for her acting in movies like ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ and ‘Maleficent,’ and for her dedication to humanitarian causes.

Courtney Love

The Golden Globe-nominated actress and musician had a difficult upbringing, moving between foster homes and reform schools. Her independent and sometimes troubled behavior led to her being expelled from several schools, including one in New Zealand. She eventually settled in Portland and then San Francisco, launching her career in music and film. She gained recognition for her work in ‘The People vs. Larry Flynt’, earning a Best Actress nomination, and continued to showcase her acting talent in films like ‘200 Cigarettes’ and ‘Man on the Moon’.

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper is famous for her music, but she’s also acted in films like ‘Vibes’ and ‘Life with Mikey,’ and even won an Emmy for her work on ‘Mad About You.’ As a teenager, she struggled in school and was kicked out of multiple high schools because of her unique style and independent spirit. She later got her GED and went on to become a hugely popular singer in the 1980s. More recently, she won a Tony Award for the music she wrote for the Broadway show ‘Kinky Boots.’ Throughout her career, Lauper has consistently used her platform to support LGBTQ+ rights and other important social issues.

Danniella Westbrook

Kimberly Wyatt rose to prominence playing Sam Mitchell on the popular British soap opera ‘EastEnders’. She left school after being expelled for not attending regularly and for misbehaving in class. Wyatt started acting professionally at just 16, landing the role on ‘EastEnders’. Despite public struggles with addiction, she remained well-known in the British media and has since participated in reality TV shows like ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ and ‘Celebrity Big Brother’.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore’s story is one of those classic Hollywood tales, but with a really unique twist. Growing up in a famous acting family, her childhood was anything but normal, and she faced a lot of public struggles early on, leading to issues with substance abuse and ultimately, rehab. What really sets her apart is that she legally emancipated herself from her parents at just 14 – a pretty incredible move. But she didn’t just survive, she thrived. She made a seamless transition from teen star to leading lady with hits like ‘The Wedding Singer’ and ‘Ever After’, and then smartly took control of her career by founding her own production company, Flower Films. And now? She’s killing it as a talk show host! It’s a really inspiring career arc.

Jaime Winstone

Ray Winstone’s daughter, this actress is known for her roles in films like ‘Kidulthood’ and ‘Made in Dagenham’. As a teenager, she was expelled from school due to ongoing behavioral problems. She later found a better fit at a performing arts college, where she could pursue her passion for acting. She gained prominence for her work in the horror series ‘Dead Set’ and for portraying Barbara Windsor in a biographical film about the actress. She continues to enjoy success in British TV and independent films.

Joan Crawford

As a classic film lover, I’ve always been fascinated by Joan Crawford. It’s incredible to learn about her early life – she really had to fight for everything. School wasn’t easy for her; she worked her way through Rockingham Academy, literally doing manual labor to afford tuition, and unfortunately, she ended up having to leave. But she didn’t give up! She moved to New York to chase her dream of becoming a dancer, which eventually led her to MGM and her first film role in ‘Lady of the Night.’ From there, she became a true icon, giving us unforgettable performances in movies like ‘Mildred Pierce’ and the deliciously dark ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’

Julie Walters

Julie Walters, known for roles in ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Billy Elliot,’ wasn’t always popular in school. In fact, she was kicked out of her convent school for being rebellious and not following the rules. After school, she tried training as a nurse, but ultimately decided to study English and Drama at Manchester Polytechnic. Her big break came with the film ‘Educating Rita,’ which earned her an Academy Award nomination. Since then, she’s become one of the UK’s most popular actresses, winning several BAFTA awards for her work on screen.

Kathy Burke

Kathy Burke is a celebrated British actress and director, famous for her work in films like ‘Nil by Mouth’ and the TV show ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’. She left school at 15 due to conflicts with teachers and behavioral issues. Afterwards, she found a more encouraging atmosphere at the Anna Scher Theatre school, which helped nurture her talent. Burke’s performance in ‘Nil by Mouth’ earned her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. In addition to acting, she’s also directed successful stage productions in London’s West End.

Kelis

Kelis is famous as a singer and songwriter, but she also trained as an actress at the renowned LaGuardia High School. Unfortunately, she was expelled after getting into trouble with teachers and staff. Despite this, she quickly landed a record deal and released her first album, ‘Kaleidoscope’. Over the years, she’s also acted in the film ‘El Oasis’ and several TV shows. Beyond music and acting, Kelis is a skilled chef and has even published her own cookbook.

Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne went to several private schools in the UK as a child, but she was expelled from more than one for misbehaving and not following the rules. She’s often talked about how hard it was to adjust to school while growing up with a famous family. Later, she performed in the musical ‘Chicago’ in London and did voice work for the animated series ‘The 7D’. Throughout her long career, she’s worked in music, acting, and television.

Kerry Katona

Kerry Katona is well-known as a singer and for appearing on reality TV, but she’s also acted in the film ‘Showbiz Babies’ and several stage plays. Her childhood was challenging – she went to eight different schools and was eventually expelled from her last one. This happened because of instability and problems at home that made it hard for her to concentrate on school. She first became famous as part of the girl group Atomic Kitten, and later won ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’. Since then, Katona has consistently been in the public eye, appearing in British tabloids and on television.

Lily Allen

I’ve always been fascinated by Bebe Rexha – she’s seriously talented! But her path to success wasn’t exactly traditional. I read she bounced around a lot growing up, attending thirteen different schools! Apparently, she even got kicked out of a few for things like smoking and drinking – a bit of a rebel, it seems. Eventually, she decided school just wasn’t for her and dropped out at fifteen to pursue music, which thankfully paid off with her hit song ‘Smile’. It’s cool to see how far she’s come, and now she’s making waves as an actress too – I was so impressed with her stage debut in ‘2:22 A Ghost Story’ and thrilled she got an Olivier Award nomination! She’s now appearing in television series like ‘The Dreamer’, and I’m excited to see what she does next.

Liza Minnelli

Liza Minnelli, famous for her role in ‘Cabaret,’ had a nomadic childhood, attending over 20 schools while traveling with her mother, Judy Garland. She was often in trouble at school, reportedly being expelled from a few for missing class and not applying herself. Eventually, she left school to become a performer, starting her career in an Off-Broadway production of ‘Best Foot Forward.’ Minnelli is one of the rare artists to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. She’s known for films like ‘The Sterile Cuckoo’ and ‘New York, New York’.

Michelle Rodriguez

Though famous for playing strong characters in movies like ‘The Fast and the Furious’, this actress had a difficult time in school. She was kicked out of five different schools due to behavioral problems and disagreements with teachers and administrators. She later got her GED and even started business school, but ultimately decided to become an actress. Her performance in ‘Girlfight’ brought her a lot of attention and showed Hollywood she was a talented performer. Since then, she’s become a regular in big action movies like ‘Avatar’ and the ‘Resident Evil’ films.

Mischa Barton

Mischa Barton started acting as a child, appearing in Off-Broadway productions and films like ‘Lawn Dogs’. Balancing school and her growing career proved difficult, and she was asked to leave her private school. Barton has talked about how the demands of being famous so young clashed with the school’s strict rules. She finished her education with tutoring and then achieved widespread recognition as Marissa Cooper on television. Since then, she’s worked in several independent films and appeared in the revival of ‘The Hills: New Beginnings’.

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell is world-famous as a supermodel, but she’s also acted in films like ‘Cool as Ice’ and ‘Zoolander 2’. She trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, though she was previously asked to leave another school at 14 for behavioral issues. Soon after, her modeling career began to flourish, making her a hugely recognizable figure in fashion. She’s also appeared on TV shows like ‘Empire’ and ‘Star’. Throughout her long career, Campbell has achieved great success, but she’s also faced considerable public attention for various controversies.

Natasha Lyonne

Before becoming known for her role in ‘American Pie’, actress Natasha Lyonne went to a private school in New York City called Ramaz. She was kicked out for selling marijuana to fellow students, something she’s talked about in interviews. After leaving Ramaz, she moved to Miami with her family but didn’t finish high school. Later, Lyonne received critical acclaim for her work on the Netflix shows ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘Russian Doll’. She’s also become a successful writer and director, establishing herself as a key player in television.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton had a difficult teenage years, attending multiple boarding schools and facilities meant to address behavioral issues. She was ultimately expelled from Provo Canyon School in Utah, and has since spoken out about the abuse she claims happened there. Using her fame, she’s now working to change laws related to these types of programs. Though best known as a reality TV star and DJ, Hilton has also acted in movies like ‘House of Wax’ and ‘Repo! The Genetic Opera’. Over time, she’s transformed from a pioneer of reality television into an outspoken activist and businesswoman.

Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan, known for her role on ‘Charmed,’ had a difficult childhood, growing up in a cult and leaving home as a teenager. She faced challenges in school and became legally independent at just 15 years old. Her acting career started after being spotted on the street, and she gained recognition with her performance in ‘The Doom Generation.’ McGowan became a popular actress in the 1990s, starring in films like ‘Scream’ and ‘Jawbreaker.’ More recently, she’s dedicated herself to activism and writing, and has been a leading voice in the Me Too movement.

Salma Hayek

The Academy Award-nominated actress spent her teenage years at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Louisiana, but she was eventually expelled for playing pranks on the nuns, including repeatedly setting their clocks back. She then went on to study international relations at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City before dedicating herself to acting. She became internationally known after starring in ‘Desperado’ and later gained critical acclaim as the producer of ‘Frida.’ Since then, she’s enjoyed a long and successful career, appearing in everything from big-budget blockbusters to smaller, independent films.

Tallulah Bankhead

Tallulah Bankhead was a famous actress in the early 1900s, celebrated for her dramatic flair and distinctive, low voice. As a young woman, she was kicked out of multiple Southern boarding schools for being rebellious and refusing to follow the rules. Eventually, her father let her move to New York City to become an actress, and she quickly became a Broadway star. She also appeared in films, including Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Lifeboat,’ for which she won an award from the New York Film Critics Circle. Bankhead remained a beloved and memorable figure until her death, as well-known for her sharp wit as for her talent.

Tatum O’Neal

Tatum O’Neal made history at just ten years old, becoming the youngest person ever to win an Academy Award for her performance in ‘Paper Moon’. However, her childhood wasn’t easy. She struggled with personal issues and was asked to leave her private boarding school, reportedly because she had trouble fitting in with the school’s strict rules. Throughout her teenage years, she continued acting in popular films like ‘The Bad News Bears’ and ‘International Velvet’. Later in life, she wrote books about her life, including her experiences with fame, addiction, and her complicated family relationships.

Tracey Ullman

Tracey Ullman, a talented actress and comedian, trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts as a teen, but was eventually asked to leave after acting out and not fully engaging with her studies. This didn’t stop her – she quickly found work in theatre and on TV variety shows. She became widely known for ‘The Tracey Ullman Show’, which famously gave the world ‘The Simpsons’. Roles in productions like ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Plenty’ have cemented her status as a gifted and versatile performer.

Traci Lords

This performer became well-known due to a scandal early in her career, but successfully moved into mainstream Hollywood. While still in high school in Redondo Beach, California, she was expelled after authorities learned she had appeared in adult films as a minor. Determined to rebuild her career as a serious actress, she trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. She then gained recognition starring in John Waters’ ‘Cry-Baby’ and later appeared in a recurring role on the series ‘Profit’. Since then, she’s been a guest star on many television shows, including ‘Roseanne’ and ‘Melrose Place’.

Share which of these actress’s stories surprised you the most in the comments.

2026-02-26 13:49