#20. Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman is an accomplished actress, producer and director. Apart from having worked in Blockbusters such as Star Wars, V For Vendetta and Thor, she successfully manages her personal life, being a wife and a mother of two. But few know that Portman is also a Harvard Graduate.
Portman majored in Psychology and obtained her diploma in 2003. When some of her professors were interviewed asking about her, they all said she was a dedicated and intelligent student. Portman had to deal with people ostracizing her for being famous, but she shut her haters down by taking classes such as neurobiology and advanced Hebrew literature.
#19. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
In the late 90s, Joseph Gordon-Levitt appeared in beloved comedies such as 3rd Rock From The Sun and 10 Things I Hate About You when he noticed he was gaining a heartthrob status. He decided to put his acting career on hold and go back to school in order to escape the spotlight.
In 2000, Gordon-Levitt was accepted to Columbia University where he studied French Poetry, History and Literature. However, during his fourth and final year at school he chose to drop out and go back to acting. Since then, he’s made some great films such as 500 days of Summer and 50/50.
#18. America Ferrera
America Ferrera started college back in 2002, but her flourishing acting career wouldn't let her complete school. After roles in films like The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants and Real Women Have Curves, and shows like Ugly Betty it was impossible for Ferrera to finish her studies in her early 20's.
Thankfully, Ferrera did not give up and went back to obtain her degree ten years later. She is now a proud University of Southern California graduate. In 2013, at the age of 29, while walking among her USC classmates, she tweeted "It’s finally happening! Took me ten years but it feels great".
#17. Shaquille O'Neal
Despite having picked numerous awards such as All American, National Player of the Year and Southeastern Conference Athlete of The Year, Shaquille O'Neal never managed to graduate from Louisiana State University. He left school in 1992 but promised his parents and coach that he would return and get his degree.
It was a long and difficult journey that took him eight years, but O'Neal finally earned his degree and joined the rest of his 2005 senior class to accept it. Not only that, but O'Neal decided to continue his education and received a Barry University's doctorate degree in education focusing on organizational learning and leadership back in 2012.
#16. Georgia May Jagger
Being the daughter of world-wide famous rockstar and playboy Mick Jagger while also having the right looks can sure have its benefits, such certain easiness at landing jobs. The Rolling Stones frontman's daughter, Georgia May Jagger, became a renowned model at a very young age. However, despite having worked with well-respected brands such as Rimmel London, the beautiful model had a great interest in her education.
It has been reported that Georgia is an avid photography enthusiast and attended New York's School of Visual Arts where she studied photography, art, and life drawing. This just goes to show that no matter how famous someone's parents are, it doesn't mean that they'd want anything for free.
#15. James Franco
The fact that James Franco was able to earn seven degrees while continuing to act is both admirable and perplexing. Franco dropped out of the University of California at the age of 28 but returned two years later and graduated with a degree in English. After that, he enrolled in four different graduate schools: New York University, Columbia University, Brooklyn College and Warren Wilson College.
And if that's not impressive enough for you, Franco enrolled in Yale for a PhD in English, as well as in Rhode Island School of Design when he turned 32. Regarding his obsession with 'overeducating' himself, Franco’s mother, Betsy, stated that he had an unusually high metabolism for productivity. This meant that his nearly superhuman ability to focus allowed him to quickly alternate projects without losing his mind.
#14. Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster, known for playing everyone's favorite Clarice Starling in Silence of The Lambs, began her acting career at a very young age. She even received her first Oscar nomination in 1976, at the age of 12, following her role as a child street worker in Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver.
Despite already being one of the most famous actresses of her generation, Foster enrolled in college right after high school. She attended Yale University, and managed to get her bachelor's degree in 1985, even after some terrifying incidents such as a stalker during her first year of college.
#13. Tyra Banks
While TV show host and supermodel Tyra Banks isn't really a Harvard Business School graduate, she did attend some classes on the school's campus as a part of a Owner/President Management extension program but not as a part of the school's Masters in Business Administration.
Despite not receiving a diploma, she still finished the program in three semesters and obtained a 'Certificate of Completion'. Banks is a hard worker, and before catwalks she got accepted to both UCLA and USC, but chose her modeling career instead.
#12. Steven Spielberg
With films such as E.T, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg is easily one of the most recognized and beloved directors of all time. With such blockbusters among his vast filmography, he won Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys and lifetime achievement awards. But he finally added a bachelor’s degree in arts a few years ago.
He was enrolled at California State University in his youth, but sadly dropped out with just one credit left. In 2001, 34 years later, Spielberg re-enrolled and at last earned his bachelor's degree in film and electronic arts. Talking about this achievement, he stated that he “wanted to accomplish this for many years as a thank-you to my parents for giving [him] the opportunity for an education and a career”.
#11. The Olsen Twins
Twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen grew up in the spotlight. They first appeared in the beloved family sitcom Full House when they were around 9 months old. The two have become millionaires since their introduction, with numerous films, TV shows, fashion companies and even a production company among other projects.
This, however, didn't seem to be enough for the ambitious twins, who enrolled in New York University to acquire their bachelor's degree. Ashley Olsen enrolled in the University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study in 2003 with her sister Mary-Kate, who eventually took a leave of absence during sophomore year to focus on Dualstar, the sister’s production company.
#10. Michael Jordan
NBA legend and accomplished athlete Michael Jordan was a junior student at the University of Carolina student when he dropped out to play professionally. He got drafted to the Chicago Bulls, where he made a name for himself and eventually became one of the most famous basketball players of all time.
Jordan even appeared in the 1984 Olympic games as a part of the U.S basketball team and aided in bringing home the gold medal. Still, he wanted to finish college and obtain his Geography degree, which he finally acquired in 1985 while continuing to play in the NBA.
#9. The Sprouse Brothers
Much like the Olsen twins, the Sprouse brothers became immensely famous at a very young age. They were cast in Disney’s The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and their career skyrocketed. It was one of Disney’s most successful shows, and the twins earned a lot of money and a solid fanbase.
However, Cole and Dylan Sprouse didn't want to miss the opportunity to get a higher education and the twins got admitted to New York University. Dylan studied Video Game design and his brother studied Archaeology, both graduating in 2015.
#8. Elisabeth Shue
Elisabeth Shue is an actress best known for her roles in The Karate Kid and Adventures in Babysitting, among other roles. Shue’s first gig, and the beginning of her acting career, was in a Burger King commercial when she was 16 years old.
After graduating high school in 1981, she attended Wellesley College and, years later, determined to continue her education, she enrolled in Harvard University where she studied on an off again until obtaining her 2000 bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
#7. Dakota Fanning
Like many other child stars, Dakota Fanning began her acting career when she was a little girl. She starred in critically acclaimed films such as I am Sam, Hide and Seek and War of the Worlds. Fanning also believed that she should receive a higher education and put her career on hold in order to study at New York University.
In 2011, Fanning particularly enrolled in the school's Gallatin School of Individualized Study, which allows actors to design a curriculum that adjusts their interests. The actress admirably decided to major in women's studies, with a focal point on how women are portrayed in film and culture.
#6. Claire Danes
Claire Danes spent her teenage years as a television star on My So-Called Life, a teenage drama where she even had her very first kiss. After a few critically acclaimed movies, Danes chose to take a two-year break from the spotlight and enrolled Yale University where she studied Drama from 1998 to 2000.
Although the actress attended the Ivy League school, Danes eventually dropped out in order to return to her acting career. This turned out to be a wise choice, since she earned her second Golden Globe for her role in the HBO film Temple Grandin.
#5. Scott McCreery
Scott McCreery broke into the music scene in 2010 when he won American Idol, and later went on to become a highly successful country music singer. Back in the day, McCreery was a student at North Carolina State University but found it incredibly hard to juggle both a music career and his education.
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, the country singer admitted that it was exhausting to grow his music career while still taking a full load of classes. Nevertheless, McCreery returned as a part-time student in 2014, after a brief hiatus, and continues his college education to this day.
#4. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is probably the most beloved —and wealthy— TV host of all time. Thanks to The Oprah Winfrey Show, she has become a billionaire. Surprisingly, she accomplished all that without a college degree. Winfrey was a student at Tennessee State University but had to drop out because she was getting too many jobs in showbusiness, despite needing only one credit to graduate.
Many years later, the celebrated and award-winning host was invited to return to the school and speak at its 1987 commencement. At first, Winfrey was hesitant to accept since she hadn't really earned her degree and promised to speak on the grounds when she finally obtained it, which she eventually did.
#3. Julia Stiles
Just like her 10 Things I Hate About You co-star, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, actress Julia Stiles also believed in the importance of getting a higher education, and chose Columbia University as the perfect school to finish her studies.
Even though Stiles had already gained some success and praise thanks to films such as Save The Last Dance and the Bourne series, the actress took some time apart from Hollywood and made sure she obtained her diploma, which she did in 2005, having majored in English Literature.
#2. Swizz Beatz
Just like Tyra Banks, Alicia Key's husband and music producer Swizz Beatz also got accepted to Harvard University’s Owner/President Management Extension program. In one of his social media accounts, Beatz stated that "this might be one of the happiest days of [his] life".
The program's classes are centered around cruising the global economy, aligning strategies and sales, maximizing financial resources and other business skills that Beatz may find useful, despite being a highly accomplished businessman.
#1. Emma Watson
Harry Potter star Emma Watson was completely serious about getting her degree, no matter how long it took. She began her freshman year at Brown University in 2009, where she majored in English literature. Watson also studied at England's Oxford University while she was also working in her acting career. Although this turned out to be quite exhausting, since Watson took a year off in 2011.
Thankfully, she eventually earned her degree in 2014. Regarding her fame, she admitted that trying to blend in with her peers was a bit nerve-wracking. "On the first day I walked into the canteen and everyone went completely silent and turned to look at me", she commented, and added "I had to say to myself ‘it’s okay, you can do this. You just have to take a deep breath and gather your courage".