#20. Natalie Portman
If we think about Natalie Portman, the less thing we are going to think about her is that she decided to study at Harvard, especially after being part of films like Star Wars franchise, Black Swan or V For Vendetta.
But Natalie decided to make a big change in her life and went to Harvard where she studied Psychology and earned her degree in 2003. Some of her teachers said she was a very intelligent student that liked to learn about neurobiology and Hebrew literature.
#19. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph Gordon-Levitt was on the top of his career after being part of films like 3rd Rock From The Sun and 10 Things I Hate About You. But Joseph decided to abandon Hollywood because he was becoming famous for the heartthrob status.
Joseph escaped from the spotlights and entered Columbia University in New York in 2000. He took classes of French Poetry, History and Literature. but when he was in the final year of school he came back to Hollywood and starred 500 Days Of Summer with Zooey Deschanel.
#18. America Ferrera
Hollywood surprised America Ferrera when she was in the middle of her university’s career. America abandoned her studies and started when her acting career. The most memorable roles were in The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants and Real Women Have Curves and in the TV series Ugly Betty.
After 10 years since 2012, America returned to college and decided to finish her degree. IN 2013, America received her diploma at the University Of Southern California and posted on Instagram: “It’s finally happening!”
#17. Shaquille O’Neal
This is a very touching story. Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most famous basketball players of all time, perhaps we believe he didn’t need to finish school but when he left Louisiana State University in 1992 he made a promise to his parents and his coach that someday he was going to return and get his diploma.
In 2005, Shaquille made his promise came true and received his bachelor’s degree with his other classmates. Also, the basketball player received a doctorate degree in education and organizational learning at Florida’s Barry University.
#16. Emma Watson
Emma Watson had already fame and status in Hollywood when she decided to stop for a while and study again. Emma wanted to get her college degree and started to study at Brown University in 2009. Emma’s majoring was in English Literature that’s why she continued her studies at England’s Oxford University.
At the same time, she continued with her acting career but less intense. In 2014 she finally graduated with very good qualifications. In an interview, she declared that she felt nervous about being the “famous one” in her university but she could have a very normal student life at the end.
#15. James Franco
Believe it or not, James Franco has earned seven degrees in his 32 years old — and we believe he will continue studying. When James was 28, he decided to aband the University of California but came back two years later to finish a degree in English.
Soon after, James got four more degrees in New York University, Columbia University, Brooklyn College, and Warren Wilson College. He also studied at Yale for a Ph.D. in English and one in Rhode Island School Of Design. According to his mom, Betsy, James has the opposite of ADHD and he is able to focus on many things at the same time. Incredible!
#14. Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster is one of the most talented actresses of all time and she is very intelligent too. Some of her most memorable films are Silence Of The Lambs, Panic Room and A Very Long Engagement. After received an Oscar nomination at the age of 12 for her role in Taxi Driver, Jodie decided to enroll in university after high school.
The actress was studying at Yale while she had to abandon for a while after a stalker followed her in her first year of college. Finally, in 1985 she received her degree in literature.
#13. Tyra Banks
Model Tyra Banks hasn’t graduated from Harvard Business School but she has been part of the Owner/President Management extension program on the Harvard Business campus. At the end of three semesters, Tyra received her “Certificate Of Completion”.
It is not that Tyra isn’t intelligent to study at university, in fact, she was admitted to UCLA and USC but she decided to continue with her modeling career and, of course, she was extremely talented.
#12. Steven Spielberg
Perhaps one of the Hollywood stars that we didn’t imagine that wanted to finish school was the great director Steven Spielberg. The director is well-known for his films like Jaws, E.T., Lincoln, Jurrasic Park and The Color Purple. When he started with filming career he abandoned California State University without any credits.
34 years later in 2001 he came back and got his degree in film and electronic arts — just to learn more about his profession. In his speech, he thanked his parents that let him studied and work as a director at the same time.
#11. The Olsen Twins
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are one of the most successful and rich actresses from the world. The twins became famous after being part of the TV series Full House with 9-months old! After that, the twins were part of many films and TV series.
But fame and money weren’t enough for them and decided to enroll in New York University in 2003. Ashley studied in the Gallatin School Of Individualized Study and Mary-Kate took a break to continued working with her production company, Dualstar.
#10. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is considered the best basketball player of all time and a legend in the NBA. When Michael was young and he was making his first steps into professional basketball, he decided to abandon the University Of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and focus on his athletic career.
When Michal was already a loved figure in the NBA and Chicago Bulls, he decided to come back to school and get his degree. In 1985, Michael got his bachelor’s degree in Geography and continued with his professional life in the courts.
#9. The Sprouse Brothers
Dylan and Cole Sprouse were the stars of Disney as they had been part of the successful TV series The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody. The boys had been part also of Friends and in the film Big Daddy.
But the brothers didn’t want to be just Disney stars and decided to obtain higher education at New York University. Dylan studied Video Game Design while Cole focused his degree in Archaeology. They both graduated in 2015 and they looked adorable!
#8. Elisabeth Shue
Elisabeth Shue rose to fame when she was only 16-years-old and she was part of the Burger King commercial. Also, Elisabeth is well-remembered for her roles in The Karate Kid and Adventures In Babysitting.
After Elisabeth finished high school, she attended Wellesley College in 1981 decided to abandon it later and continued her studies at Harvard. Finally, Elisabeth got her bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 2000.
#7. Dakota Fanning
Dakota Fanning has been working in Hollywood since she was very little. We all remember her performances in films like I Am Sam, War Of The Worlds, The Cat Hat and Hide And Seek. When she was older enough she decided to study at New York University.
Dakota started to study at Gallatin School Of Individualized Study and got a major in women’s studies. Dakota decided to study women’s cultures and histories around the world. Good for her!
#6. Claire Danes
Claire Danes was at the top of her acting career when she was part of the TV series My So-Called Life where she was the superstar of the show. Claire decided to aband the spotlights and attended Yale University from 1998 to 2000.
After 2 years of studying, Claire decided to aband school and continued with her acting career with the HBO series Temple Grandin. For that role, she received her second Golden Globe. Nowadays, Claire is most remembered for her role in Homeland.
#5. Scott McCreery
We can imagine that the singer Scott McCreery wasn’t prepared for all the fame that came after he won the TV reality show American Idol in 2010. Nowadays, he is a well-known country music star. Before entering the competition, he was attended North Carolina State University.
But Scott was not going to give up school and decided to return his studies in 2014 as a part-time student while he continued with his raising career. Great for him!
#4. Oprah Winfrey
Without a doubt, Oprah Winfrey is one of the most successful TV Hosts of all time. Oprah has also many foundations that help people that want to finish school. Surprisingly, when she became famous she hadn’t finished college.
Oprah was a student from Tennessee State University when she had to abandon because of work. When she returned to her university she did with her degree with her and she also gave a touching speech for everyone there.
#3. Julia Stiles
Julia Stiles became internationally famous after being part of the film 10 Things I Hate About You as a co-star of Gordon-Levitt. It seemed that Julia had a promising future in the film industry but decided to abandon it and enroll at Columbia University.
Julia is also remembered for her roles in movies like Save The Last Dance, The Bourne films and The Prince And Me. With a lot of effort, Julia decided to continue with her studies and finally, in 2005 she received her diploma and majoring in English Literature.
#2. Swizz Beatz
Like Tyra Banks, Swizz Beatz — the music producer and Alica Key’s husband — decided to take the Harvard University's Owner/President Management Extension program. For Swizz, it was one of the happiest days of his life, as he said: “From BX to Harvard”.
Swizz enjoyed the global economy, financial resources and business skills classes, although he is already a very talented music producer.
#1. Georgia May Jagger
Being the daughter of a famous singer like Mick Jagger could open many doors in your life. But Georgia May Jagger has made her own space in Hollywood. Georgia is a very famous top model as she had worked for brands like Rimmel London.
But Georgia wanted to do more with her life and decided to attend New York’s School Of Visual Arts and study her passions: photography, art and life drawing. Good for Georgia that decided to make her own steps.