Not all celebrities, especially actors and musicians, drop out of school to follow their passion. Although most people think acting is perfect for idiots and uneducated fellows, that’s far from reality, especially in the current generation, where education is highly valued. Some famous people in Hollywood acquired impressive academic credentials before appearing on the screen, while others decided to study and act simultaneously.
This review highlights the top 10 celebrities with advanced degrees and their unique qualities.
Admirable Qualities of Celebrities with Degrees
Some great celebrities with degrees are born talented, while others learn to be excellent performers by enrolling in acting schools. Regardless of these differences, they possess unique qualities that stand out. Let’s look at some of their attributes.
- Hardworking. Acting is a professional career that requires hard work and patience. Most celebrities with advanced college degrees were diligent workers, an attribute that enabled them to be dedicated beyond their academics.
- Intelligent. Successful actors with great academic achievements are knowledgeable. They are well-informed about different aspects of life and activities happening across the globe.
- Confident. Becoming an educated, self-reliant actor requires confidence. Besides encouraging actors to be vocal on stage, it helps them be courageous and overcome challenges.
- Energetic. Balancing school work and career is not as easy as most people think. It requires physical and vocal energy, which is essential in developing a great character and dedicated learner.
List of 10 Celebrities with Advanced Degrees
Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper acquired his Bachelor’s degree in English at Georgetown University in 1999. After graduating, he moved to New York City to pursue a Master’s in acting at Pace University. Bradley had small roles on television shows like Jack & Bobby and films like Carnival Knowledge before landing a lucrative deal in Wedding Crashers in 2005. In the subsequent years, he became one of the highest-paid actors worldwide.
Drew Daniel
Drew Daniel is categorized among the famous musicians with advanced degrees. He is a proud alumnus of the University of California, where he acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. Drew Daniel later enrolled in the University of Oxford for his second undergraduate degree in English Literature. Besides excelling in the music industry, he has published several articles on political philosophy, Elizabethan drama, and contemporary film and art.
Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o is among the most popular celebrities with Master’s degrees in Fine Arts. She was enrolled in an undergraduate program at Hampshire College in 2007, where she pursued Film and African studies before advancing her education and graduating in 2012. Lupita served as an intern and production assistant in various movies while still a student; these opportunities laid a strong foundation for her acting career. Despite having an insecure upbringing, the actress has defied all odds to become one of the most talented stars in movies like Black Panther and 12 Years A Slave.
Most celebrities with college degrees prove that people can rise to fame and succeed academically. With numerous companies assisting individuals who say, “Write my essay for me,” students don’t have any reason to skip their homework while studying and pursuing their interests in acting and other events for fame. Besides improving your understanding of concepts taught in class, professional writing services like CustomWritings can help you produce top-quality materials as you engage in other school or after-school activities. Depending on your interests, their services will likely increase your chances of having a bright future as an actor, actress, musician, or famous person.
Mayim Bialik
Mayim Bialik is among the top celebrities with Ph.D. degrees. She is a qualified neuroscientist with a Ph.D. and Bachelor of Science in neuroscience.
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep is one of the most highly educated female celebrities ever. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Vassar College and later attended Yale University for her Master’s in Acting. The actress has earned several awards, including Oscars and nominations for over 22 Academy Awards, due to her ability to deliver excellent performances in comedy, musicals, and drama.
Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson, the famous lovable idiot “Mr. Bean,” attained his Master’s in Electrical Engineering at Oxford University. He made his first earning from the film industry after featuring in several festivals like the Edinburg Fringe. In addition, he was the scriptwriter and actor in Not Your Nine O’clock News, a British television series that won him the British Academy Award.
Rowan enrolled for a Master’s in Electrical Engineering at Queen’s College; however, he found acting more fulfilling and dropped out. Nonetheless, he’s a qualified engineer, one of the most admired professions worldwide.
David Duchovny
David Duchovny is one of the most accomplished celebrities with college degrees from Princeton University; he has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. After his undergraduate studies, the actor pursued a Master of Art in English Literature at Yale University. Like Rowan Atkinson, he enrolled for a Ph.D., although he didn’t complete his doctoral thesis.
John Legend
John Legend is a highly educated and talented actor, singer, and songwriter. Besides mentoring upcoming singers in The Voice singing competition, his academic qualification is worth emulating. The star attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English, specializing in African American Literature.
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin stands out amongst celebrities with honorary degrees. Her success is attributed to her vocal power and piano skills. Aretha Franklin has received several awards from prestigious learning institutions, including Yale University. In 2014 she earned an honorary degree in Doctor of Arts from Harvard University.
Brian May
Brian May finalizes our list of celebrities who, despite looking for fame, dedicated their time to academics. May has a doctoral degree in Astrophysics from London’s Imperial College and was a key partner during NASA’s New Horizon Pluto Mission. In addition, he served as Liverpool John Moore’s chancellor between 2008 and 2013. Besides successfully building an admirable academic profile, Brian May is a dedicated member of Band Queen, one of the most popular rock bands in the country.
So, is it possible to balance academics and fame?
While celebrities, especially actors and musicians, may play like idiots giving the illusion of a lack of academic qualifications, don’t be deceived; most are intelligent and have admirable brilliance. Some have doctorates in marketable courses like medicine, engineering, and film production, while others have undergraduate degrees from prestigious universities across the globe. Their achievements show that the desire and motivation to become famous shouldn’t hinder anyone from pursuing higher education. Hopefully, this review will inspire you to fall in love with academics as you strive to rise to fame.
