Welcome, curious viewers, to a world where fame and knowledge collide!
We all know that celebrities can be talented singers, actors, and athletes, but did you
know that some of them also hold impressive academic credentials?
From Ivy League graduates to PhD holders, these famous faces have pursued higher education
in unexpected fields, challenging the stereotype of the "dumb celebrity" and proving that intelligence
knows no bounds.
In this video, we'll take a closer look at some of the most educated celebrities and
the unexpected degrees they hold.
Natalie Portman
Best known for her outstanding performances in films such as Black Swan and V for Vendetta,
Natalie Portman is not just a talented actress, but also an accomplished scholar.
In 2003, Natalie graduated from Harvard with a degree in psychology, where she honed her
analytical skills and critical thinking.
But her academic achievements did not end there.
In fact, her research in the field of psychology was so groundbreaking that it was published
twice by scientific journals.
Mayim Bialik
Who says you can't have beauty and brains?
Mayim Bialik, best known for her role as the brainy neuroscientist on The Big Bang Theory,
is just as intelligent off-screen as she is on.
In fact, Mayim holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles,
where she focused her research on the link between obsessive-compulsive disorder and
Prader-Willi syndrome.
The latter is a rare condition resulting from a malfunction in the hypothalamus, and Mayim's
work has shed light on the neurological underpinnings of the disorder.
Kourtney Kardashian
In contrast to her sisters who chose to pursue fame right after completing high school, Kourtney
Kardashian obtained a degree in Theater Arts from the University of Arizona.
Kevin Costner
In 1978, Kevin Costner earned a degree in business from California State University,
where he also explored his passion for acting during his studies.
After graduation, he briefly worked in marketing for a month before dedicating himself fully
to his acting career.
David Duchovny
After graduating with a B.A. from Princeton University, the actor best known for his iconic
role on "The X-Files" went on to obtain a Masters's degree in English from Yale University.
However, in 1987, he began pursuing a Ph.D. but left the program after being hired for
a beer commercial.
During a subsequent interview, he disclosed that the working title of his incomplete thesis
was "Magic and Technology in Contemporary Poetry and Prose."
Eva Longoria
The celebrity known for her role in "Desperate Housewives" obtained her Bachelor's degree
in kinesiology, which focuses on studying the mechanics of body movement, from Texas
A&M University-Kingsville.
Hugh Jackman
The Australian actor, who was crowned "Sexiest Man Alive" by People Magazine in 2008, is
not only a talented performer but also a highly educated individual.
Prior to gaining recognition as one of Australia's most prominent figures, he pursued a career
in journalism and earned a BA degree in Communications from the University of Technology in Sydney.
Furthermore, he has been a member of the School of Practical Philosophy since 1992.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Renowned for his career as a politician, actor, and bodybuilder, this star, best known for
his iconic role in the "Terminator" series, possesses a solid understanding of business
thanks to his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin.
He earned a bachelor's degree in Marketing and Business Administration from the university,
equipping him with valuable knowledge and skills in the field.
Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson, famously known as Mr. Bean, is considered to be one of the most academically
accomplished actors in the industry.
He graduated from Newcastle University in 1975 with a degree in electrical engineering
before pursuing a Master's degree in the same field at the Queen's College of Oxford University.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Oxford University granted Atkinson the prestigious
title of "honorary fellow" in 2006.
While studying at Oxford, he was actively involved in numerous clubs and societies,
including the Oxford University Dramatic Society, where he honed the iconic qualities that would
later define the beloved character of Mr. Bean.
Dolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren, originally from Sweden, earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from the
University of Sydney, Australia, in the late 1970s.
He went on to receive academic scholarships to both Clemson University and the University
of Washington.
With his academic achievements, Lundgren's educational journey continued at the renowned
MIT, where he received a Fulbright Scholarship.
Despite his success as an action hero, he is also considered one of the best-educated
actors in Hollywood.
Hugh Grant
A prominent figure both on and off the screen, Grant completed his studies in English Literature
at Oxford University in 1982, during which he was granted an educational scholarship.
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep, the iconic actress known for her range and depth, has always been a scholar
at heart.
Her academic journey began at Vassar College, where she earned her B.A. in Drama and also
took her first steps on the path to stardom.
But Meryl's thirst for knowledge didn't stop there.
She went on to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree at the prestigious School of Drama
at Yale University, honing her craft and refining her skills as an actor.
Years later, in 2009, Meryl was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Princeton
University, her alma mater located in her home state of New Jersey.
Reese Witherspoon
Although she is widely recognized for her role as the ditzy blonde Elle Woods in the
2001 blockbuster hit Legally Blonde, there's more to Reese than meets the eye.
Contrary to her on-screen persona, Reese is actually among the brightest minds in Hollywood.
As a young woman, she was accepted into the prestigious Stanford University to study English
Literature, but her passion for acting ultimately led her to leave the academic world after
just one year.
Nonetheless, her brief stint at Stanford was a testament to her intellectual curiosity
and pursuit of knowledge.
Brian May
Brian May, the lead guitarist and musician of the legendary rock band Queen, is not only
a talented musician but also an accomplished scholar.
He earned a degree in Physics from Imperial College London and even pursued a Ph.D. in
Astrophysics, although he discontinued his studies in 1974.
However, in 2007, after a 33-year hiatus, May completed his Ph.D. in Astrophysics and
his thesis, entitled "A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud," was finally published.
Conan O’Brien
In 1985, Conan O'Brien obtained his Master's degree in American History with a focus on
history and literature from Harvard University, where he was hailed as a "preeminent jokester"
by the campus newspaper.
The subject of his thesis, which spanned 72 pages, was "The Old Child in Faulkner and
O'Connor."
Ashton Kutcher
Although Ashton Kutcher is often associated with playing lighthearted characters on screen,
it may surprise you to know that he studied Biochemical Engineering at the University
of Iowa in 1996.
His motivation for pursuing this degree was to seek a cure for his brother's heart disease,
indicating his dedication to making a positive impact in the world beyond the entertainment
industry.
Jodie Foster
This dazzling and Academy Award-winning actress earned a Bachelor's degree in English Literature
from Yale University in 1985.
In recognition of her impressive career accomplishments, Jodie Foster was granted an honorary Ph.D.
from Yale University in 1997, a full twelve years after her graduation.
Lisa Kudrow
After graduating from Vassar College in 1985 with a degree in biology, the star of the
hit TV show "Friends" pursued a career in acting.
Gerard Butler
Gerard Butler, who later became famous for his role in the epic war film "300," actually
earned a degree in Law from the University of Glasgow School.
After completing his degree, he began working as a trainee lawyer but struggled to balance
his job with his active social life.
Eventually, he decided to pursue his passion for acting, and at the age of 25, he moved
to London to start his career in the entertainment industry, ultimately achieving great success.
Mara Wilson
After captivating audiences with her supernatural performance as the lead character in "Matilda,"
this actress went on to attend NYU Tisch's School of the Arts.
However, upon reflection, she decided to shift her focus away from acting and towards writing.
In a 2013 interview with Parade, she shared that acting was something she did in her youth
and now considers it more of a hobby.
Writing, on the other hand, has become her life's work and primary passion.
Angela Bassett
On a scholarship, Angela Bassett earned a Bachelor's degree in Afro-American Studies
from Yale University, where she later also pursued an MFA in Drama.
During her time as a graduate student, Bassett had the opportunity to work alongside Lloyd
Richard, a world-renowned director, which helped to set her on a successful path in
the entertainment industry.
Spike Lee
Spike Lee is a renowned African-American filmmaker who transformed the role of Black individuals
in the entertainment industry.
He obtained his BA degree from Morehouse College in Georgia and subsequently pursued a Master's
degree in Fine Arts with a focus on Film and Television from the prestigious Tisch School
of the Arts at New York University.
James Franco
While working on multiple films, James Franco managed to earn a graduate degree in English
from UCLA with an impressive 3.5 GPA.
He subsequently pursued further education in multiple disciplines, including studying
filmmaking at NYU, taking fiction writing courses at Brooklyn College and Columbia University,
and participating in the poetry program at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina.
Continuing his educational journey, Franco is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in English at
Yale University alongside his illustrious acting career.
David Spade
Long before he gained widespread recognition for his roles on "Saturday Night Live" and
"Just Shoot Me!," the comedian obtained a bachelor's degree in business from Arizona
State University in 1986.
Brooke Shields
The well-established model and actress graduated from Princeton University in 1987 with a Bachelor's
Degree in French Literature.
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," is regarded as
a highly regarded piece of academic writing.
Weird Al Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic, known for his parodies of popular songs, actually
holds a degree in a surprising field - architecture.
He earned his bachelor's degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
With that, we’re going to go ahead and wrap up this video, but before you move on to watching
another one of our facts-packed offerings, let us know in the comments which celeb you
were most surprised to see featured in this video!
And as always, thanks for watching!