“I’d rather be smart than a movie star.” That’s not a quote from a college professor it’s from Natalie Portman, who managed to juggle blockbuster roles with earning a psychology degree from Harvard. And she’s not the only A-lister who’s swapped red carpets for lecture halls.
In a world where brains are too often drowned out by celebrity, some stars have risen quietly to build résumés that could stand up to any accomplished scholars. From Ivy League dynamos to specialized areas of study, these celebrities show that brains and grit can burn as fiercely in an auditorium as they do on the big screen.
Here’s a closer look at nine celebrities whose scholarly success may just give you a new perspective on them.
1. Bridgit Mendler’s Triple Threat of Degrees
Bridgit Mendler went from Disney sweetheart to academic powerhouse. She earned a bachelor’s in anthropology from the University of Southern California before pursuing a master’s at MIT, where she studied technology and social action. She graduated in May 2024 with a J.D. from Harvard Law School while being co-president of the Harvard Space Law Society. She’s even working on a PhD at MIT, although it’s on hold for now.
Her drive doesn’t remain in academia alone. Mendler is also the CEO of Northwood Space, a startup developing a “data highway between Earth and space.” As she shared with followers on X, juggling advanced degrees, a startup, and family life meant learning “when to say no or not right now,” something she holds in as much value as saying yes.
2. Natalie Portman’s Harvard Years
Natalie Portman took a matriculation at Harvard in 1999, the same year Star Wars Episode I was released. Critics cautioned it could ruin her career, but she famously said in Vanity Fair, “I’d rather be smart than a movie star.” She graduated in 2003 with a psychology degree and even had her research published in scientific journals.
Portman later returned to Harvard in 2015 to deliver a commencement speech, sharing how her time there shaped her worldview. Her choice to prioritize education at the height of her fame has become a defining part of her public image.
3. Yara Shahidi’s Academic Hustle
To Yara Shahidi, Harvard wasn’t merely a line on a résumé it was a promise. During her time playing Grown-ish, she pursued studies in social studies and African American studies, focusing on “Black political thought in the context of a neocolonial world.” In 2021, she even coordinated her Emmy appearance so she could take a flight back to Boston to attend Monday classes.
She graduated in 2022, with a recommendation letter from Michelle Obama in her application. Shahidi’s ability to balance Hollywood demands with rigorous academics makes her one of the most disciplined young stars in the industry.
4. Sigourney Weaver’s Ivy League Training
In preparation for fighting extraterrestrials on the screen, Sigourney Weaver was studying literature at Stanford University. She further graduated with an MFA in acting at the Yale School of Drama, where she was a classmate with Meryl Streep.
Weaver’s educational journey wasn’t smooth sailing professors tended to cast her in minor roles because of her height. But she would not be deterred, going on to crack the big time later with her classic Alien role as Ellen Ripley. Her tale is an inspiration that determination reaps rewards, even in the most cutthroat fields.
5. Meryl Streep’s Double Diplomas
Meryl Streep’s trophy shelf is storied, but so is her academic achievement. She majored in drama and costume design from Vassar College, and went on to gain an MFA from Yale School of Drama.
Her early ability was so apparent that her Vassar drama teacher once commented, “I don’t think anyone ever really taught Meryl acting, she really taught herself.” This combination of natural ability and formal education has ignited a career of more than four decades and a record number of Oscar nominations.
6. Emma Watson’s Cross-Continental Education
Emma Watson did not merely act Hermione Granger she embodied the role of the bookish overachiever. She studied at Brown University, graduating in 2014 with a degree in English literature, and also spent a year at Oxford’s Worcester College.
Watson took time off from school for acting obligations, yet always came back to complete. In 2023, she entered a master’s degree program in creative writing at Oxford, and by 2025, was working on a doctorate. Her constant pursuit of learning speaks volumes about her commitment to lifelong education.
7. Shaquille O’Neal’s Doctorate in Education
Shaquille O’Neal vowed to his mother that he’d complete his schooling once he left LSU for the NBA and kept his word. He graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and in 2012, a doctorate degree in education from Barry University.
As he explained to the Miami Herald, “Everyone thinks this is honorary. But this is not honorary. I put in four and a half hard years. The work was very rigorous, but very enjoyable.” Shaq has even suggested he may take on law school next.
8. Ken Jeong’s Medical Credentials
Ken Jeong may become famous for over-the-top comedic performances, but he is also an officially licensed doctor. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his M.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jeong did internal medicine at night while doing stand-up and later relocated to Los Angeles to act full-time. His medical experience brings a surprising element to his on-camera presence and he continues to hold his license to practice.
9. Lupita Nyong’o’s Global Perspective
Lupita Nyong’o’s schooling is transcontinental. She holds a bachelor’s degree in film and African studies from Hampshire College, whose thesis film was screened in the New York African Film Festival. She also holds an MFA in acting from Yale School of Drama.
Born in Mexico City to Kenyan parents in political exile, Nyong’o grew up in a climate of resilience and flexibility abilities that reflect in her acting. She had won an Oscar for 12 Years a Slave only a year after graduating from Yale.
These stars demonstrate that intellectual aspiration and artistic achievement aren’t incompatible. Whether it’s an education doctorate, a JD, or intensive study of political philosophy, their accomplishments are a reminder that curiosity and focus can take any profession to new heights. In an industry sometimes characterized by appearance, their narratives remind us that brains are every bit as celebrity-worthy as talent.
