Celebs Who Prioritized Education Alongside Their Careers

Lots of well-known actors, musicians, and other entertainers went back to school for advanced degrees, even while enjoying successful careers. They showed that learning and growing intellectually is just as important as achieving fame or selling records. These celebrities juggled work on movie sets and in recording studios with their studies at universities and doctoral programs, proving their commitment to personal growth beyond the public eye.

Natalie Portman

Shortly after the first ‘Star Wars’ film came out, Natalie Portman began studying psychology at Harvard University. She balanced her education with her acting career, filming movies during her summer breaks. While at Harvard, she famously said she valued intelligence over fame. Portman graduated in 2003 and has since been a strong supporter of education. Her studies continue to influence how she prepares for challenging roles.

Emma Watson

After finishing the ‘Harry Potter’ films, Emma Watson decided to prioritize her education. She attended Brown University and also studied for a period at Oxford University. In 2014, she earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Brown, all while still acting in films like ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’. Her experiences in higher education later influenced her work as an activist, particularly in the area of gender equality.

James Franco

James Franco is famous for his dedication to learning, even while maintaining a successful acting career. He returned to UCLA to finish his bachelor’s degree in English, focusing on creative writing. After graduating, he juggled multiple master’s programs at Columbia, NYU, and Brooklyn College. He then continued his studies with a doctoral program in English at Yale. In addition to being a student, Franco has also shared his knowledge by teaching screenwriting and directing at various well-respected schools.

Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik was a familiar face from her childhood role in ‘Blossom’ when she chose to focus on academics. She went to UCLA and got a degree in neuroscience, also studying Hebrew and Jewish studies. She continued her education and earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience, researching obsessive-compulsive disorder in teenagers. Her background in science was key to landing the role of neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler on ‘The Big Bang Theory’, and she frequently advocates for STEM education for girls and young women.

Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong initially pursued a career in medicine, earning his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While completing his internal medicine residency in New Orleans, he also began performing stand-up comedy. Before becoming well-known for his acting, including his breakout role in ‘Knocked Up’, Jeong was a practicing and licensed doctor in California. He even used his medical expertise to help someone in the audience who experienced a health issue during one of his comedy shows.

Rowan Atkinson

Rowan Atkinson, famous for his hilarious physical comedy, actually has a strong academic background in electrical engineering. He first earned his bachelor’s degree from Newcastle University and then continued his studies at Oxford University’s Queen’s College. While pursuing his master’s degree at Oxford, he began working with screenwriter Richard Curtis and developed the iconic character of Mr. Bean. This technical expertise is quite different from the clumsy and comical characters he’s known for playing.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o seriously dedicated herself to acting training before achieving success, including winning an Academy Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in film and theatre from Hampshire College, then continued her studies at the Yale School of Drama, earning a Master of Fine Arts in acting. She landed the role in ’12 Years a Slave’ right before finishing at Yale, and her performances clearly show the impact of her dedicated preparation.

John Legend

I’ve always been amazed by John Legend’s background! It wasn’t just about his musical talent – he was incredibly smart, actually getting scholarships to schools like Harvard and Georgetown. He ended up at the University of Pennsylvania, where he focused on English and especially African-American literature. While he was there, he led an a cappella group called Counterparts, being both president and musical director. Before he became a full-time musician, he even worked as a consultant for the Boston Consulting Group. I think that experience really gave him a different way of looking at the music industry, which is pretty cool.

Conan O’Brien

Conan O’Brien excelled at Harvard University, graduating with honors in history and literature. He led the university’s humor magazine, The Harvard Lampoon, during his studies, and his senior thesis explored the writing of William Faulkner and Flannery O’Connor. Immediately after college, O’Brien used his writing talent to land jobs at both ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘The Simpsons.’ His strong academic background continues to influence the clever and often quirky humor in his talk show performances.

Rashida Jones

Before becoming a well-known comedic actress, Rashida Jones studied religion and philosophy at Harvard University. While at Harvard, she participated in both the Hasty Pudding Theatricals and the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club. Originally planning to become a lawyer, she lost interest in the profession after observing the O.J. Simpson trial. After graduating in 1997, she pursued a career in acting and television writing, and her background in diverse academic fields continues to inform her work as a writer and producer.

Edward Norton

Edward Norton went to Yale University, where he studied history and was a dedicated rower. While there, he acted in student plays with future actors like Paul Giamatti and Ron Livingston. After college, he lived in Osaka, Japan, working as a consultant for his grandfather’s business before deciding to pursue acting full-time. He became fluent in Japanese during his time in Japan. Many believe his background in academics helps him create complex and thoughtful characters.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep is famous for her incredible skill, which she developed through years of training. She graduated with honors from Vassar College in 1971 and then went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama. While at Yale, she worked as a stage actress to help finance her education. This rigorous preparation laid the foundation for her career as one of the greatest actors of all time.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster was already a well-known actress when she chose to go to Yale University to study literature. She briefly paused her acting career to enjoy a more typical college experience and concentrate on her education. In 1985, she graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature. Her senior thesis focused on the work of Toni Morrison, and she was mentored by leading literature professors. After graduating, Foster returned to Hollywood with fresh ideas and eventually began directing movies.

Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields famously paused her successful career as a model and actress to go to college at Princeton University. The media closely followed and debated her decision. She focused her studies on French literature and wrote her final thesis about the films of Louis Malle, ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree. Shields has said that going to college helped her build confidence and a sense of self separate from her fame. She showed that young performers could thrive in an academic setting.

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal made a promise to his mother that he would get his degree, even though he started his NBA career before finishing college. He went back to Louisiana State University to complete his bachelor’s degree and later earned an MBA online from the University of Phoenix. He continued his education and eventually earned a doctorate in Human Resource Development from Barry University. Now, he prefers people call him Dr. O’Neal when he’s in professional business environments.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria has a degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. During her time on ‘Desperate Housewives’, she went back to school and earned a master’s degree in Chicano Studies from California State University, Northridge in 2013. Her master’s thesis explored the importance of Latinas in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. She now uses what she learned in school to inform her work as a political activist and producer.

Gerard Butler

Gerard Butler studied law at the University of Glasgow and even led the law society there. He started his career as a trainee lawyer in Edinburgh, but was let go just a week before officially qualifying, reportedly due to some unpredictable behavior. He then moved to London to become an actor and didn’t practice law again. However, his legal background did give him valuable skills in public speaking and making convincing arguments.

Rebel Wilson

Rebel Wilson went to the University of New South Wales in Australia, where she earned degrees in both Theatre and Law. Though she initially intended to pursue a career as a lawyer, she discovered her passion for acting after a strange experience during a bout of malaria. Interestingly, she still uses her legal background to help negotiate her Hollywood deals, proving that her education has been valuable throughout her career. Her clever humor is backed up by her strong academic background.

Lisa Kudrow

Lisa Kudrow originally planned to become a doctor like her father, focusing on headaches and medical research. She studied biology at Vassar College and even worked on her father’s research team for eight years. It wasn’t until a friend of her brother, the comedian Jon Lovitz, suggested she try acting in Los Angeles that she pursued a different path. This science-focused background is a surprising contrast to the quirky character of Phoebe Buffay that she later played on ‘Friends’.

Dolph Lundgren

Dolph Lundgren is highly educated, with degrees in chemical engineering from both the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and the University of Sydney. He even received a Fulbright Scholarship to MIT, but he chose to become an actor after an encounter with Grace Jones. Known for his tough-guy roles in movies, people often forget that he’s also a brilliant academic – with an IQ said to be over 160 – and speaks several languages.

Brian May

Brian May, the guitarist for Queen, was studying for a doctorate in astrophysics when the band became hugely popular. He paused his studies in 1974 to tour with Queen, but he remained fascinated by space. Over thirty years later, he went back to Imperial College London and finished his Ph.D., successfully defending his thesis on dust in the solar system in 2007. Today, he continues to work in astronomy as a researcher and has even partnered with NASA on several projects.

David Duchovny

David Duchovny studied English literature at Princeton University, earning a bachelor’s degree, and later received a master’s degree from Yale University. He began working on a doctorate at Yale but decided to pursue acting, starting with commercials. His intended doctoral thesis focused on the intersection of magic and technology in modern literature and poetry. This thoughtful and intelligent quality ultimately made him ideal for playing the character of Fox Mulder in ‘The X-Files’.

Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant received a scholarship to study English at Oxford University’s New College. While there, he became involved in the university’s drama society and even appeared in a film as a student. After graduating with a good degree, he thought about becoming an art historian. Before establishing himself as an actor, he worked a variety of jobs, such as writing reviews and giving private lessons. Many people notice the influence of his Oxford education in his intelligent and modest way of speaking in public.

Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale attended New College, Oxford, where she studied French and Russian literature. During her third year, she spent a year abroad in Paris as part of her studies. While at Oxford, she participated in the university’s drama society and even filmed a scene from ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ during her breaks. Ultimately, she decided to leave Oxford before finishing her degree to pursue her growing career as an actress. Despite leaving school early, she remains fluent in several languages and continues to be passionate about literature.

Riz Ahmed

Riz Ahmed studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford University’s Christ Church college. He then honed his acting skills at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Ahmed has talked about how different it felt going from a working-class community to an elite university environment. His studies in politics and philosophy influence both his music and his work as an activist. He uses his public voice to raise awareness about fair representation and larger problems within the media industry.

Gemma Chan

Gemma Chan initially trained as a violinist and went on to study law at Oxford University. Although she was accepted into a prestigious law firm in London, she chose to follow her passion for acting and attended the Drama Centre London instead. Her parents were hesitant about her decision to leave a secure legal path for a career in the arts, but she ultimately found success, appearing in popular franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Tom Hiddleston

Tom Hiddleston studied Classics at the University of Cambridge, achieving top honors. While performing in a university play of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, he was discovered by a talent scout. He then continued his acting training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His strong background in classical studies gives him a dignified presence, even in contemporary roles, and he’s remarkably skilled at reciting poetry and ancient writings from memory.

Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne went to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied Art History and earned a good honors degree. He even wrote his final year project about the distinctive blue color created by the artist Yves Klein. While at university, he paid for his studies by acting in plays and doing some modeling. He continued acting on stage for a while before moving into film, where he eventually won an Academy Award. His knowledge of art history helped him develop a strong eye for visual detail, which benefited his work in cinema.

Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira studied psychology at Macalester College, earning a bachelor’s degree. She then went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts in acting from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. As a talented playwright, Gurira draws on her education to create nuanced stories centered on African women. Her play, ‘Eclipsed,’ received a Tony Award nomination. She successfully combines her writing with prominent acting roles in popular shows like ‘The Walking Dead’ and films like ‘Black Panther’.

Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver first studied English at Stanford University, where she also enjoyed acting in college plays and even lived in a treehouse for a short time. She later honed her skills at the Yale School of Drama, graduating with a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1974 alongside Meryl Streep. This rigorous training proved invaluable when she became known for playing strong female characters, notably as the groundbreaking action hero in ‘Alien’.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett made history at Yale University as the first African-American student to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree. She studied African-American studies for her B.A. and received an M.F.A. from the Yale School of Drama. While pursuing acting roles in New York, she supported herself working as a photo researcher and receptionist. Her strong educational background deeply informs the historical accuracy and impact of her portrayals of real-life figures, and she continues to champion arts education.

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown studied drama at Stanford University, graduating in 1998, and later earned his Master of Fine Arts from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Before becoming well-known on television, he spent years performing in regional theater. His extensive training helps him portray characters with deep and complicated emotions, as seen in shows like ‘This Is Us’. He often acknowledges the significant influence his teachers had on his acting style.

Donald Glover

Donald Glover studied dramatic writing at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 2006. While working as a resident assistant at school, he impressed Tina Fey with his writing samples, which led to a job on the show ’30 Rock’ right after he finished his degree. Glover has since used his writing background to create and star in the highly praised series ‘Atlanta’.

John Krasinski

John Krasinski earned his degree from Brown University in 2001, focusing on playwriting. Before college, he taught English in Costa Rica. He honed his acting skills at the National Theater Institute and gained early professional experience as a scriptwriter for ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien’. This experience with writing proved valuable when he later directed ‘A Quiet Place’.

Julie Bowen

Julie Bowen studied Italian Renaissance history at Brown University and lived in Florence, Italy, for a year to fully experience the language and culture. While she participated in college theater, she didn’t think about becoming a professional actress until after graduating. Her time studying Italian made her fluent in the language, and her intelligence and comedic timing proved crucial to her success on ‘Modern Family’.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University in 1999, where she focused on literature and Eastern religions. Notably, she took a class taught by her mother, who was a visiting professor. She also spent a summer studying acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Her background in literature continues to shape the scripts she chooses and the films she directs.

Julia Stiles

Julia Stiles was an established actress as a teenager when she decided to go to Columbia University. She earned her English literature degree in 2005 and was recognized with the John Jay Award for being a distinguished alumna. Remarkably, she filmed the ‘Bourne’ films while still completing her studies. Stiles has said that going to college helped her stay balanced as her career took off.

Cole Sprouse

After finding fame on Disney Channel, Cole Sprouse took a break from acting to go to New York University. He designed his own major at the Gallatin School, focusing on archaeology, and even took part in digs in Europe and Asia while studying. Before returning to acting with ‘Riverdale’, he worked in an archaeology lab in Brooklyn. He appreciated the chance to study something he loved and enjoy a more private life at university.

Dylan Sprouse

Dylan Sprouse and his twin brother both went to NYU, where Dylan studied video game design and earned a four-year degree. While in college, he worked at a restaurant to have a typical job outside of acting. Now, he’s using his education to create comics and develop games, and he appreciates how his studies helped him understand the art of storytelling.

Dakota Fanning

Dakota Fanning attended New York University, where she created her own course of study focusing on women’s studies and history. She continued acting while in school, proving she valued a life beyond filmmaking. Fanning successfully juggled demanding roles, such as in ‘The Alienist,’ with her coursework, showing her commitment to completing her education and living a full life.

Yara Shahidi

As a huge fan, I was so impressed to learn that Yara Shahidi got into every college she applied for, including Harvard! Apparently, Michelle Obama even wrote her a letter of recommendation – how amazing is that? She ended up studying Social Studies and African American Studies, and somehow juggled filming ‘Grown-ish’ while keeping up with such a demanding course load. It’s clear to me that her education isn’t just something she did, it really fuels all the incredible social justice work she’s passionate about.

Bridgit Mendler

Bridgit Mendler stands out as one of the most academically accomplished former Disney stars. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in Anthropology, she continued her studies at MIT, first as a Director’s Fellow at the Media Lab and now as a Ph.D. candidate. She’s also attending Harvard Law School to further support her research, which focuses on how technology can improve social connections and how communities are governed.

Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara went to New York University, where she created her own course of study at the Gallatin School. While there, she focused on psychology and global social issues. She’s particularly passionate about non-profit organizations and has spent a significant amount of time doing charity work in Kenya. Mara graduated in 2010, right as her acting career began to take off. Her background in psychology probably helps her create believable and complex characters.

Elizabeth Banks

Elizabeth Banks excelled at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with honors and studying communications while being a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She continued her education at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, earning a Master of Fine Arts degree. This combination of practical skills and artistic training has contributed to her success as a producer and director in Hollywood.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington went to George Washington University on a scholarship to study acting. She created her own major combining anthropology and sociology, and graduated in 1998 as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. To further develop her skills, she trained at the Michael Howard Studios in New York City. Her background in sociology continues to influence both her acting roles and her work as an activist.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch received his acting training at both the University of Manchester and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, where he earned a Master of Arts in Classical Acting. Before starting university, he took a year off to teach English at a monastery in Tibet. This varied background has helped him become a flexible and skilled actor. He’s known for bringing an intelligent and thoughtful approach to iconic roles, such as Sherlock Holmes and Alan Turing.

Thandiwe Newton

I’m a huge fan of Thandiwe Newton, and I always find it amazing how she managed to get a 2:1 degree in social anthropology from Cambridge while also starting her acting career! It’s clear that her studies weren’t just something she did on the side, though. She’s talked about how understanding people and cultures through her degree really informs her work as an actress, helping her analyze roles and scripts in a deeper way. Honestly, I think that strong academic background is a big part of why she’s such a powerful voice speaking out against unfair practices in the film industry – she really gets how things work and isn’t afraid to challenge them.

Allison Williams

I’ve been a fan of Allison Williams ever since I first saw her! I learned she graduated from Yale back in 2010, where she studied English and was even part of an improv group called Just Add Water – that explains her amazing comedic timing! She landed a role on ‘Girls’ right after college, and it’s clear she used everything she learned – both her analytical skills and her talent for comedy – to really make her character shine. It’s also great to see she still stays connected with Yale as an alumna.

Kumail Nanjiani

Kumail Nanjiani came to the United States from Pakistan to study at Grinnell College in Iowa. He earned degrees in both computer science and philosophy. While working a fun job in IT, he honed his skills as a stand-up comedian. His tech background proved ideal for his role on the HBO show ‘Silicon Valley’. He frequently incorporates his experiences as an immigrant and his love of intellectual topics into his comedy routines.

Tell us which celebrity scholar impressed you the most by sharing your opinion in the comments.

2026-01-24 11:51