While some celebrities were destined for fame and stardom for the day they were born, there are plenty of other celebs who had intended to go on a different path. We assume that our favourite musicians and actors were singing and taking drama classes from the day they started school, but that is not the case. In fact, you may be surprised by some of the different degrees and classes they choose to take. So, with that being said, read on to discover more about some of the most surprising celebrity college degrees.
Brian May – It is only right that we start with a member of one of the world’s most famous bands, Queen. You know Brian May as the lead guitarist with the bushy hair. However, those at Imperial College, in London, know him as a graduate of Science. He earned a degree in Physics in 1968 from the well-regarded university. If that was not enough, he also earned a Ph.D in astrophysics. He started work for this in 1971. Nevertheless, as you know, his life took a very different path. Nevertheless, he completed the work and got his Ph.D in 2007 to add to his accolades.
David Spade – The popular comedian has featured in the likes of Just Shoot Me! And Saturday Night Live, as well as a number of other popular sitcoms across America. However, it wasn’t always giggles and jokes for Spade. He actually attended Arizona State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business in 1986.
Brooke Shields – The long-time actress and model has a Bachelor’s Degree in French Literature. She earned the degree in 1987, after attending Princeton. For her senior thesis, she explored the pre-adolescent journey in Louis Malle films Lacombe Lucien and Pretty Baby.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – Is there anything The Rock cannot do? Not only has he mastered the world of pro wrestling, he is now a mega film star. However, life started very different for Dwayne Johnson, as he attended the University of Miami, earning a General Studies Bachelor Degree in physiology and criminology in 1995. He has often discussed how this was one of the most difficult periods of his life, as he suffered with depression. Nevertheless, he still managed to battle through it and secure his degree. Impressive, right? If you suffer with depression, anxiety, or anything of this nature, you may want to look into the option to study online at James Cook University for your MBA. More and more people are turning towards online courses today because it gives them the ability to study from the comfort of their own home. If this is something that appeals to you, explore the option further. You will benefit from the exact same degree as you would if you attended university physically.
Gerard Butler – Gerard Butler is one of the most loved actors. However, before he was leading us into an incredible battle in 300, he was actually getting his Law degree from the University of Glasgow School of Law. He didn’t just ditch this course of his life there, though. He was actually accepted as a trainee lawyer. Things did not go to plan, though. Butler liked to party hard, which meant he often missed work. In the end, he moved to London at the age of 25-years-old to follow his dreams of becoming an actor. Dare we say it – the rest is history!
Ken Jeong – You may not recognise the name, but he played one of the most memorable characters in The Hangover. That’s right, we are talking about Mr. Chow. He has since gone on to star in Dr. Ken, where he has the lead role in the ABC sitcom. Despite this, he has an M.D. in Medicine. He attended Duke University, where he graduated in 1900. He then obtained his M.D. in 1995 after attending the Chapel Hill School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina.
Rowan Atkinson – Everyone knows who Mr Bean is. But did you know that Rowan Atkinson is also an Oxford University graduate? Not only is he one of the best silent comedians of all time, but he has a degree in Electrical Engineering.
Ashton Kutcher – The famous actor also studied engineering, although his degree was in Biochemical Engineering. He attained it in 1996 after attending the University of Iowa. His reason for completing the degree will pull at your heartstrings – he hoped he would find a cure for his brother’s heart disease.
James Franco – James Franco is not only an amazing actor but he is an exceptional creative writer as well. Not only did he complete an M.F.A in Creative Writing in New York City, at Columbia University, but he then went on to study at Yale where he pursued a Ph.D in English. He debuted Palo Alto, which was a short story collection, the year that he graduated from Columbia University. He has also went onto have a number of stories and poems published at notable outlets since then.
- Kourtney Kardashian
– Last but not least, not only is she the oldest Kardashian, but she breaks the mould academically too. Kourtney didn’t jump straight into fame after high school. She, instead, attended the University of Arizona, achieving a degree in Theater Arts.
As you can see, there have been a number of surprising celebrity college degrees. Which one were you most surprised by? Things could have been very different for these celebrities if they were not lured by the fame of Hollywood.
