14 Celebrities With Surprising Educational Backgrounds

There are many reasons why we suddenly experience career shifts. And they’re totally normal! Maybe that’s why our favorite stars decided to heed the curtain call and choose the limelight instead of pursuing the degrees they prepared for in college. It would be a whole lot different to picture them in desk jobs, in labs, or even in the field aside from the projects they star in.

Bright Side adores intellectuals who work hard to get where they are. That’s why we’re sharing stories of celebs who went the extra mile with their surprising degrees outside their usual line of work.

1. Natalie Portman studied psychology.

Natalie Portman might be doing a great job being a prolific, award-winning actress, but she had other plans. She juggled starring in the blockbuster Star Wars prequel films and studying psychology at Harvard University.

2. Emma Watson graduated with a degree in English literature.

The real-life Hermione Granger is as bright as her character from the Harry Potter films and books. Emma Watson earned her degree in English literature from Brown University and took a few courses at Worcester College in Oxford.

3. Ashton Kutcher was set to become a biochemical engineer.

You haven’t been Punk’d! Ashton Kutcher really studied at the University of Iowa to become a biochemical engineer. Although he didn’t graduate with a degree, his reason for taking it was actually sweet. He wanted to find a cure for his twin brother’s heart ailment.

4. Dwayne Johnson initially wanted to become a criminologist.

Before he became one of the most sought-out professional wrestlers today, Dwayne Johnson made it big as a college football player while taking up his bachelor’s in general studies, specializing in criminology and physiology. Even though his major league career was cut short, his pro wrestling one was stellar before becoming an actor.

5. Rowan Atkinson has a master’s in electrical engineering.

Mr. Bean wasn’t all that goofy before. Rowan Atkinson was a staunch academic and a brilliant electrical engineer before later pursuing a career in acting and comedy. He didn’t stop after earning his bachelor’s at Newcastle University. He continued until he earned his master’s at The Queen’s College in Oxford and had a brief stint with a doctorate.

6. Cole Sprouse studied to become an archaeologist.

The former child star did not fully relinquish his hard-earned fame with his twin brother since they became academics and graduated from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Cole Sprouse even worked briefly in archaeology, which was one of his majors, participating in dig sites in Europe and Asia.

7. Meghan Markle graduated in both theater and international studies.

Before starring in the Suits and eventually becoming the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle double-majored in theater and international studies at Northwestern University. She even interned at an embassy in Argentina and attended a study abroad program in Spain before graduating.

8. Adam Sandler studied acting at NYU.

There’s a reason why Adam Sandler is one of the most versatile and well-loved actors, switching between comedies, dramas, and even thrillers. He completed his bachelor’s degree in acting at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 1988, and the rest was history!

9. John Legend was a straight-A English major.

You might think of John Legend as an easy-going crooner, but he also boasts academic credentials as stellar as his music career. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English, majoring in African-American literature, at the University of Pennsylvania. Before entering Penn, he was offered admission and scholarships to Harvard, Georgetown, and Morehouse College.

10. Sigourney Weaver finished her English and fine arts degrees.

Being a multi-award-winning actress isn’t the only feather Sigourney Weaver can add to her cap. She was fully immersed in her studies, too. After graduating with a degree in English at Stanford University, she then went on to finish her MFA at Yale University.

11. Jamie Foxx got a scholarship for musical and performing arts composition.

His portrayal of blues singer Ray Charles in Ray really stood out, likely because of the musical know-how he developed back in college. Jamie Foxx was a scholar at the United States International University, where he studied musical and performing arts composition.

12. Rebel Wilson is an attorney at law.

Apart from being a comedian in Hollywood, Rebel Wilson thought it would be an excellent idea if she had a backup degree aside from theater and performance studies. Her backup? A Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of New South Wales!

13. Cindy Crawford wanted to become a chemical engineer.

You may know Cindy Crawford from her iconic Pepsi commercial, but the supermodel had other plans at first. After graduating valedictorian in high school, she got a scholarship from Northwestern University to study chemical engineering.

14. Kourtney Kardashian majored in theater and dabbled in Spanish.

The firstborn of the Kardashian girls is best known for her influential lifestyle and reality TV fame. However, she was also a dedicated student. Kourtney Kardashian attended 2 years at the Southern Methodist University and graduated in theater arts at the University of Arizona with a minor in Spanish.

Which of these celebs were you surprised to find here? Which of them has the most interesting degree?