Mila Ross
15 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Actually Graduated College
When we think of celebrities, we often picture them walking red carpets or working on movie sets—not sitting in college classrooms, juggling assignments, and hitting the books like everyone else. Yet many famous actors, musicians, and entertainers actually earned college degrees long before they made it big in Hollywood.
Some balanced school with early auditions, while others pursued education first and fame later. Even more surprising, many studied subjects that had little to do with their current careers, proving that education can shape perspectives, build discipline, and open doors in unexpected ways.
1. Rashida Jones
Before stealing scenes in Parks and Recreation, Rashida Jones was busy earning straight As at Harvard University.
She graduated in 1997 with a degree in religion and philosophy, showing her intellectual side long before Hollywood came calling.
Her father, legendary music producer Quincy Jones, must have been incredibly proud.
While at Harvard, she actually performed with the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, one of the oldest theater groups in America.
This experience helped shape her comedic timing that fans love today.
Jones proves you can be brainy and funny at the same time, making her one of the most well-rounded stars in entertainment.
2. Ben McKenzie
Playing a troubled teen from the wrong side of the tracks on The O.C. was just acting for Ben McKenzie.
In reality, he graduated from the University of Virginia with degrees in both foreign affairs and economics.
Talk about being the complete opposite of Ryan Atwood, his most famous character!
McKenzie chose UVA because of its strong academic reputation and beautiful campus in Charlottesville.
His double major shows serious dedication to learning, not just partying through college.
After graduation, he moved to New York to pursue acting, eventually landing the role that made him a household name among teen drama fans.
3. King Bach
Once the most followed person on Vine, King Bach built his comedy empire after graduating from Florida State University.
He earned his degree in business management in 2010, learning skills that helped him turn six-second videos into a multimillion-dollar career.
Smart move, considering Vine eventually shut down!
Born Andrew Bachelor, he actually played cornerback for the FSU football team before focusing on comedy full-time.
His athletic background taught him discipline that translated perfectly to content creation.
Today, he acts in movies and TV shows, but his college education gave him the foundation to manage his own brand successfully.
4. Emma Watson
Hermione Granger would definitely approve of Emma Watson’s real-life academic achievements at Brown University.
Despite filming Harry Potter movies throughout her teenage years, Watson graduated in 2014 with a degree in English literature.
She even studied abroad at Oxford University for a year, because one prestigious school apparently wasn’t enough.
Balancing fame and finals couldn’t have been easy for the young actress.
She took breaks from Brown to complete her film obligations, showing incredible time management skills.
Watson has said her college experience helped her grow as a person beyond her famous wizarding role.
5. Maggie Gyllenhaal
Growing up in a Hollywood family didn’t stop Maggie Gyllenhaal from prioritizing her education at Columbia University.
She graduated in 1999 with a degree in literature and Eastern religions, subjects that clearly interested her beyond acting.
Columbia’s location in New York City also gave her access to theater opportunities while studying.
Her brother Jake Gyllenhaal followed a different path, dropping out of college to focus on acting full-time.
Maggie chose to finish her degree first, proving siblings can have totally different approaches to success.
Her Columbia education adds depth to the complex characters she portrays on screen, from secretaries to superhero moms.
6. Mike Colter
Playing an indestructible superhero on Luke Cage seems fitting for someone with Mike Colter’s impressive educational background.
He holds not one but two master’s degrees, including one from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts.
His first master’s came from the University of South Carolina, showing his commitment to continuous learning.
Colter initially studied at the University of South Carolina after growing up in South Carolina himself.
His advanced education in acting gave him techniques that shine through in every performance.
Unlike his bulletproof character, Colter earned his success through years of study and dedication to his craft.
7. Tatyana Ali
Fresh Prince fans remember Tatyana Ali as little Ashley Banks, but she grew up to become a Harvard graduate.
She earned her degree in African-American studies and government in 2002, taking a brief break from acting to focus on academics.
Her time at Harvard coincided with fellow student Rashida Jones, creating an unexpected celebrity classmate situation.
Ali has spoken about feeling intimidated at first by Harvard’s rigorous academic environment.
However, she pushed through and thrived, graduating with honors while maintaining her entertainment career.
Her education influences her choice of roles today, often picking projects that highlight important social issues and diverse storytelling.
8. Glen Powell
Texas native Glen Powell stayed close to home for college, attending the University of Texas at Austin.
He studied radio-television-film, which makes perfect sense given his current career starring in action blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick.
His southern charm and good looks made him a campus favorite before Hollywood discovered him.
Powell actually started acting as a child, appearing in small roles while growing up in Austin.
Choosing UT allowed him to study film theory while staying connected to the local entertainment scene.
His college years gave him technical knowledge about filmmaking that helps him collaborate better with directors today on major movie sets.
9. John Legend
Before winning Grammys and becoming an EGOT winner, John Legend was an excellent student at the University of Pennsylvania.
He graduated in 1999 with a degree in English, serving as president of a co-ed fraternity and singing with an a cappella group.
His musical talent was obvious even then, performing at campus events regularly.
Legend actually got accepted to Harvard, Georgetown, and Morehouse College but chose Penn instead.
During college, he was introduced to Kanye West, who would later help launch his music career.
His Ivy League education gave him confidence and connections that proved invaluable when breaking into the competitive music industry after graduation.
10. Jodie Foster
Child star Jodie Foster could have skipped college entirely, but she chose to attend Yale University instead.
She graduated magna cum laude in 1985 with a degree in literature, taking a break from her already successful acting career.
Walking around campus must have been surreal after starring in Taxi Driver as a teenager.
Foster has said attending Yale gave her normalcy during a chaotic time in her life.
She lived in regular dorms and attended classes like any other student, though security concerns sometimes complicated things.
Her Yale education taught her critical thinking skills that helped her transition into directing award-winning films later in her career.
11. America Ferrera
Ugly Betty star America Ferrera proved she was anything but ugly when it came to academics at the University of Southern California.
She graduated in 2013 with a degree in international relations, showing interest in global issues beyond Hollywood.
Balancing her hit TV show with college coursework required serious organizational skills and determination.
Ferrera grew up in Los Angeles but wanted the full college experience that USC offered.
She lived on campus her freshman year and participated in student activities between filming episodes.
Her education influences her activism today, as she frequently speaks out about immigration reform and Latino representation in entertainment and politics.
12. Lisa Kudrow
Friends fans might be shocked to learn that Lisa Kudrow has a biology degree from Vassar College.
She graduated in 1985 and initially planned to follow in her father’s footsteps as a headache specialist.
Her scientific background seems worlds away from playing the quirky, guitar-playing Phoebe Buffay on television.
After college, Kudrow actually worked with her father for eight years, researching headaches and earning a research credit on his study.
Comedy called to her eventually, and she left science for improv classes.
Her analytical mind from studying biology helps her approach comedy with precision, creating some of the most memorable comedic moments in TV history.
13. Stephen Fry
British treasure Stephen Fry attended Cambridge University, where he studied English literature at Queens’ College.
He graduated in 1981 after a somewhat rocky academic journey that included getting expelled from previous schools.
Cambridge gave him structure and introduced him to lifelong friend and collaborator Hugh Laurie.
At Cambridge, Fry joined the famous Footlights comedy troupe, performing alongside future stars in sketch comedy shows.
His time there shaped his intellectual humor style that fans worldwide appreciate today.
Despite early troubles with authority, Fry flourished at Cambridge, proving that finding the right educational environment makes all the difference for creative minds seeking knowledge.
14. Eric Mabius
Ugly Betty’s Daniel Meade might have been a party boy on screen, but Eric Mabius was serious about education at Sarah Lawrence College.
He graduated in the early 1990s after studying cinema, which prepared him perfectly for his future acting career.
The small liberal arts college in New York gave him intimate access to professors and personalized attention.
Mabius chose Sarah Lawrence for its creative atmosphere and focus on individual expression over traditional grades.
The college’s unique approach to education encouraged him to explore different aspects of performance.
His time there built confidence that helped him land roles in everything from indie films to network television shows throughout his career.
15. Ed Helms
Before making audiences laugh on The Office and in The Hangover movies, Ed Helms studied at Oberlin College in Ohio.
He graduated in 1996 with a degree in film theory and technology, learning the technical side of entertainment.
His college improv group experiences laid groundwork for his future comedy career on television and film.
Helms actually considered becoming a geologist before choosing film and comedy instead.
Oberlin’s creative environment encouraged experimentation, allowing him to discover his true passion for making people laugh.
After graduation, he moved to New York City to pursue comedy writing and performing, eventually landing correspondent roles that launched him toward Hollywood stardom and comedic success.
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