Many celebrities are known for their talent and public personas, but some have surprisingly impressive intellects that go beyond their Hollywood fame. Here are a few older, popular celebrities who are known for their intelligence and academic achievements:
1. Mayim Bialik
Famous For: The Big Bang Theory, Blossom
Surprisingly Smart Fact: Mayim Bialik holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA. She completed her doctorate while taking on roles in television, and her academic background heavily influenced her portrayal of Amy Farrah Fowler, a neurobiologist, on The Big Bang Theory.
2. Emma Watson
Famous For: Harry Potter series
Surprisingly Smart Fact: Emma Watson graduated from Brown University with a degree in English literature. She’s also known for her work as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and for launching the HeForShe campaign, advocating for gender equality worldwide.
3. Meryl Streep
Famous For: The Devil Wears Prada, Sophie's Choice, Kramer vs. Kramer
Surprisingly Smart Fact: Meryl Streep is often regarded as one of the greatest actresses of all time, but she also holds a degree in English from Vassar College and a Master of Fine Arts in Drama from Yale University. Her academic success helped pave the way for her deep, nuanced performances.
4. Natalie Portman
Famous For: Black Swan, Star Wars, V for Vendetta
Surprisingly Smart Fact: Natalie Portman graduated from Harvard University with a degree in psychology. She also published two research papers while in college and is fluent in several languages, including Hebrew, French, and Japanese.
5. Brian May
Famous For: Lead guitarist of Queen
Surprisingly Smart Fact: While many people know Brian May for his musical genius, fewer know that he has a Ph.D. in astrophysics. He completed his doctorate from Imperial College London in 2007 after taking a break from academia to pursue his music career.
6. Ken Jeong
Famous For: The Hangover series, Community
Surprisingly Smart Fact: Before becoming a comedian and actor, Ken Jeong was a licensed physician. He earned his M.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and even worked as a doctor before fully transitioning into comedy and acting.
7. Cindy Crawford
Famous For: Supermodel, House of Style
Surprisingly Smart Fact: Cindy Crawford was a straight-A student in high school and earned a chemical engineering degree from Northwestern University. While she went on to become one of the most famous supermodels in the world, her academic achievements are often overlooked.
8. Sharon Stone
Famous For: Basic Instinct, Casino
Surprisingly Smart Fact: Sharon Stone graduated with a degree in Creative Writing and Fine Arts from the University of Pennsylvania at the age of 19. She is known for her quick wit and sharp intelligence in interviews, as well as her advocacy for social issues.