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Danica McKellar of Wonder Years fame has written a textbook. Math Doesn’t Suck encourages middle school girls to master mathematics. McKellar is even tutoring students through her website.
This got us thinking: If Winnie Cooper could grow up to be a math whiz, there must be similar stories about the academic pursuits of other famous people. With help from research editor Kara Kovalchik, we’ve compiled a list of twenty celebrities with impressive degrees and/or unexpected majors.
Dolph Lundgren is nothing like Ivan Drago, the mindless Russian machine he portrayed in Rocky IV. He’s not even Russian. (He’s a Swede.) Dolph has a masters degree in chemical engineering from the University of Sydney. He was even awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to M.I.T., but left after two weeks to pursue acting in New York. And he speaks five languages: Swedish, English, German, some French and some Japanese.
Queen guitarist Brian May recently earned his PhD in astronomy from London’s Imperial College, handing in his thesis, “Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud.” He’s written a book called Bang! The Complete History of the Universe. May is also an active blogger, with a page on his official website called Brian’s Soapbox.
Cindy Crawford may not have her PhD. Or a masters. OK, she didn’t even finish her freshman year of college. But up until that point, she was quite the scholar. Crawford was DeKalb High School’s valedictorian and earned a scholarship to Northwestern, where she briefly studied chemical engineering. Then the whole modeling thing took off. The lesson: stay in school, unless you’re supermodel hot.
Keep reading for Borat, Blossom and Hugh Hefner.
Before Ali G and Borat, Sacha Baron Cohen studied history at Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he wrote his thesis on the role of Jews in the American civil rights movement. Before breaking into the fake-interviewer business, he worked for investment powerhouses JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs.
Greg Graffin formed Bad Religion with a few high school classmates when he was 15. He is credited with helping rejuvenate the Los Angeles punk scene in the mid-1980s. And when he’s not touring, he’s a professor of life science at UCLA. Graffin – sorry, Dr. Graffin – earned a PhD in biology from Cornell. His thesis was titled “Monism, Atheism and the Naturalist Worldview: Perspectives from Evolutionary Biology.”
We don’t set the bar too high for child stars. Avoid jail and rehab and exceed all expectations. But Mayim Bialik has kept her name out of the tabloids and her nose in the books. The former Blossom star is closing in on her PhD in neuroscience at UCLA. She’s writing her thesis on Prader-Willi syndrome, a strange DNA disorder that forces its victims to go crazy and destroy their homes in a desperate search for food.
More tidbits about the academic lives of celebrities:
• Art Garfunkel has a masters in mathematics from Columbia University.
• Frank Capra graduated from Caltech (then named the Throop College of Technology) in 1918 with a degree in chemical engineering.
• Jay Leno received his BA in speech therapy from Emerson College in 1973.
• Gene Simmons of KISS studied education at Richmond College on Staten Island, and spent a stint teaching elementary school in Spanish Harlem. He also was a personal assistant for an editor at Vogue.
• “Weird Al” Yankovic graduated as his high school’s valedictorian at age 16, and later received his degree in architecture from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo.
• Mira Sorvino graduated magna cum laude from Harvard with a degree in East Asian studies.
• Milwaukee Brewers lefty Chris Capuano graduated from Duke University with a degree in economics. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
• Two-time Best Actress Oscar winner Jodie Foster earned a degree in literature from Yale. She graduated magna cum laude.
• Although he didn’t graduate, Ashton Kutcher studied biomedical engineering at the University of Iowa.
• Mick Jagger attended the London School of Economics before dropping out to give music a try.
• Steve Martin studied philosophy at California State University at Long Beach before transferring to UCLA and switching his major to theater studies. He left school to focus on comedy.
• Hugh Hefner was a psychology major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and he graduated in under three years.
• And let’s finish things up by coming full circle. Danica McKeller’s Wonder Years co-star, Fred Savage, graduated from Stanford University in 1999 with a degree in English. His brother Ben, of Boy Meets World fame, graduated from the same institution in 2004.
I’m sure there are scores of other celebrities with impressive (or unexpected) degrees or majors. If you know of one, add to the list.
Previously on mental_floss:
• A Surprisingly Long List of People Who’ve Attempted Suicide
• Strange Gravestones
• America’s 10 Worst-Paying Jobs
• Life Before Air Conditioning
• The Great Public Restroom Debate
Comments (66)
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Conan O’Brien: valedictorian of his high school. Graduated magna cum laude from Harvard.
posted by Lalaine on 9-8-2007 at 2:24 am
“Art Garfunkel has a masters in mathematics from Columbia University.”
But I heard he “Don’t know much about Geography.”
posted by Cy Guy on 9-8-2007 at 2:51 am
Matt Damon dropped out of Harvard 12 credits short of graduating with his English degree to pursue his acting career.
posted by Lindsey on 9-8-2007 at 6:52 am
I dated a few J-school students from Mizzou. Too bad I missed Brad Pitt!
posted by Miss Cellania on 9-8-2007 at 7:15 am
I’m glad to see lists like this – with all the idiots out there (you know who – Paris, Britney, Lindsay, Nicole) taking up all the media spotlight, its nice to see there are some smart folks in the business…
David Duchovny was a brainiac – He graduated from Princeton University. He also holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Yale University and began work on a Ph.D. that remains unfinished. (info from Wiki)
posted by donner on 9-8-2007 at 9:05 am
Jon Krasinski graduated from Brown with honors, and from what I understand is a fabulous writer. He seems to just ooze cleverness and cerebral wit. And so doggone young. (ooh, if only I was one of those Hollywood “cougar” women!)
An aside: even if you don’t finish a degree, it doesn’t negate the knowledge acquired during your attendance , nor does impede your learning or affect intelligence thereafter. I didn’t even get through my sophomore year at a pay-and-get -in junior college. However, I have been an autodidact since grade school, and have CLEP tested out of several classes with above average scores. I am well read, a free thinker, culturally literate and can hold my own with Ivy Leaguers. (a shocker, I know. And I do it whle wearing lipstick and heels!)While earning a degree from a superior institution is the ultimate proof of diligence and effort and should be respected, one should not confuse a building or the “validation” they issue with education. I kind of sensitive about that. Especially when graduate act like I don’t have the “right” to be smart.
“A whaleship was my Harvard and my Yale.”
Herman Mellville (who would SO be reading ‘_floss if he were here today.)
posted by Allison on 9-8-2007 at 9:51 am
Ick, maybe people question my intelligence because of my perpetual typos!
posted by Allison on 9-8-2007 at 9:54 am
Oddly enough, Lisa Kudrow has her BS in Psychobiology and even spent some time doing research with her father (a physician) before being convinced to go into comedy by Jon Lovitz.
posted by Ben on 9-8-2007 at 11:06 am
The actress who played Kimmy Gibler on Full House attended an Ivy League College and graduated with something. I obviously don’t remember the details, but if you google her, you can see for yourself.
posted by Amy on 9-8-2007 at 11:53 am
I’m with Allison. Let’s hear it for all the self educated, street smart, smarty pants out there!
My Hubby is a Rocket Scientist but I can hold my own with him AND his college edumacated friends.
I kick his butt in Jeopardy every time.
posted by CropTillDawn on 9-8-2007 at 11:59 am
Can’t verify this, but I’ve heard from several sources that Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone have the highest IQs in Hollywood.
Considering the overall median IQ of that institution (the film industry), this may not be much of a recommendation. I worked there as a special effects tech and a music scorer for a number of years and rarely met a “star” that could talk about anything other than their career, and then in sentences of less than 10 words and words of less than three syllables.
posted by Doc on 9-8-2007 at 12:23 pm
Charlie Korsmo, or Jack from Hook, graduated from MIT with a degree in physics.
Julia Stiles graduated from Columbia with a degree in English in 2005 (actually saw her at Barnard when I was looking there in 2002!). Also classmate of Anna Paquin.
Natalie Portman graduated from Harvard in 2003.
Hooray for smart celebrities!
posted by Kate on 9-8-2007 at 1:28 pm
I hear you, Allison – I’m the same way. Never managed to actually finish a degree but I feel like I’m well-read and possibly better “educated” than some of my peers who actually have the diplomas.
However, my big brain and Jeopardy prowess aren’t going to get me a job where they require a Bachelor’s degree. SIGH.
posted by Rachel on 9-8-2007 at 1:46 pm
Here is a real one:
Hedy Lamarr, Hollywood actress in the 30s who also co-held a patent on Frequency-hopped spread spectrum invention, a major innovation on wireless communications technology.
Look it up on Wikipedia if you like.
posted by Rodrigo on 9-8-2007 at 3:25 pm
That’s HEADLEY.
posted by Ray DelMundo on 9-8-2007 at 4:35 pm
Dvictor and allison:
I agree with allison that it is possible to gain intelligence and/or be considered “smart” without one, but it is not easily verifiable without evidence. There were over 100 students who “studied” engineering at my school, but only 40 got acceptable grades to graduate. So for the sake of making lists of people who you don’t know personally, it is best to use a “graduated” requirement instead of “studied.” Think of it as being an employer, would you accept a resume that said “I studied engineering” or one that said “earned B.S.E.E.”?
posted by Halftime on 9-8-2007 at 9:10 pm
Brian Keith “Dexter” Holland of the NeoPunk band “The Offspring” was the High School valedictorian. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, both from the University of Southern California and was a Ph.D. candidate before deciding to focus on The Offspring. He’s also a licensed Airline Transport Pilot. (he also has better hair than I do, but I digress)
and
Dr. Robert Leonard has his BA, MPh, MA AND his PhD from Columbia University. His field is Linguistics, particularly Swahili where his is one of four main translators in the United States. He is a professor at Hofstra University…
and none of that might have come to pass had his band, Sha-Na-Na, parlayed that slot at Woodstock into the Western Hemispheres answer to the the Rolling Stones.
posted by Scott on 9-8-2007 at 10:13 pm
Halftime,
Oh I agree with you whole heartedly from the employment angle, espeially in an industry where certification is absolutely necessary. But getting a job isn’t the only reason to get an education, all English majors would be writing or teaching,all religion majors would be clergy, and all philosophy majors would be… well, what would they be? You attend school to gain knowledge as well as a diploma.
But you miss my point entirely. Here’s an example: Some people go to law school and never take the bar , because they don’t plan on practicing law. It doesn’t make them any less knowledgeable in the subjects they already studied, even if they can’t, for good reason. And it certainly doesn’t cancel out their intelligence altogether. So a few people took a detour from academia because they enjoyed working in film or music. It doesn’t mean they aren’t just as smart as those who stayed in school. So Matt Damon will probably never be a fancy pants lit professor at his alma mater or an editor at The New Yorker, but I can tell you right now his studies do contribute to his intelligence, and his mental acuity is none too shabby. (come on, you have to be pretty sharp to begin with to get admitted into Harvard!)
I’ll go even deeper in defending the intelligence of some of these celebrities, especially the ones who are really skilled as actors and musicians. Not only must a REAL actor have a fair share of natural, creative talent, many are fabulous lateral thinkers, good communicators, avid readers,innovative thinkers, and good writers. Drama itself can be a subject for the erudite. Musicians must have, in addition to their artistic abilities, a solid grasp of mathematical concepts to be able to master their field. (David Israel -where are ya? Back me up on this one!)
We really shouldn’t be surprised that there is intelligent life in entertainment. We might be a little surprised at WHO has the brains, but hey, not everyone wants to do Eugene O’Neill, ya know? I just never liked the idea that you are “math/science” smart or “artsy smart” and never both. Pigeonholes just chap my derriere.
posted by Allison on 9-8-2007 at 10:29 pm
Little “Blossom” is going to have her PhD in Neuroscience? Is she old enough? OMG–How old have I gotten?
posted by Shari on 9-8-2007 at 10:41 pm
My main focus is not that these people did not gain education, it is merely that for us to consider them the “smart” stars, I could reasonably argue that a B.S. or some other form of verification should be required, given that over 28% of Americans have achieved bachelors degrees.*
I suppose my real objection is that the statement “studied …” does not include any hard information. According to our source, Damon came within 12 credits of getting his degree, that displays that he actually earned the majority of the credits and therefore probably learned a great deal. However, I knew several people who “studied” at college for a year but failed out, never to return. I am just saying that we should limit our list of praise to those that we know actually achieved something, because “studying” a major at college doesn’t even denote passing a single class.
As a side note, I fully agree that people should not be pigeonholed into being “artistic” or “analytical” or “scientific” as it were.
* http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/004214.html
posted by Halftime on 9-8-2007 at 11:01 pm
A little addition to my earlier comments, this merely means that I feel Brad Pitt, Mick Jagger, and Ashton Kutcher should be left off the list, as their accomplishments of attending college for an unspecified amount of time, doesn’t quite rank up there with Dr. Brian May, Professor Graffin, PhD, and the like. There should just be a distinction between PhD, Masters, Bachelors, and “went to college.”
posted by Halftime on 9-8-2007 at 11:08 pm
The lead singer for the rock band “Disturbed,” David Draiman, holds three bachelors from Loyola (business administration, political science, and philosophy).
posted by SaDiablo on 9-9-2007 at 12:00 am
isn’t every member of queen super-smart?
posted by katiedert on 9-9-2007 at 8:25 am
A slight digression, but has anyone else noticed how much easier it seems to be to get into an Ivy League school if you are a movie/tv star? It’s definitely impressive that they are able to keep high grades and graduate from Harvard and Yale, but would they have even gotten in if they weren’t household names? Just curious.
posted by SN on 9-9-2007 at 9:01 am
SN,
It is my understanding that Harvard and Yale will often accept students on their perceived aptitude over past academic achievement. In other words, some schools are interested in the kind of students they can produce coming out rather than what they are coming in. Perhaps the admissions department takes into consideration that, along with having enough smarts to comprehend their coursework, actors and performers are often already driven toward success, accustomed to tremendous pressure and meeting deadlines, and will most likely be able to retain information well (think about it: if you can memorize pages of dialogue and direction notes, you are most likely going to do well memorizing facts, formulas, etc.) This is also why a lot of top shelf schools admit and even give scholarships to underpriviledged students that haven’t had the chance to become as well-versed as the upper class. Often a student with a great deal of dedication and promise can get a Harvard slot even if their school didn’t teach Aristotle or have the resources for a good start in chemistry. The school takes the chance because they believe these students can come out on top if given a better opportunity.
Then again, I’m sure that having a few high profile alumni does help out in the long run for PR purposes. So it may be easier, but not necessarily for terribly unfair reasons.
posted by Allison on 9-9-2007 at 12:11 pm
Through all of my mental flossing, I know that Sharon Stone is a member of MENSA, Glenn Close and Jon Stewart graduated from the College of William and Mary with degrees in Theatre/Anthropology and Psychology respectively, and Andrea Barber (Kimmy Gibler) studies Mathematics at the University of York in England. Wentworth Miller from Prison Break also graduated from Princeton with a degree in English Literature.
posted by Patrick on 9-9-2007 at 12:42 pm
I would carry the above dialog one step further: is not King George II (oops! Meant to say “President”) a Harvard Alum?
posted by Doc on 9-9-2007 at 12:44 pm
John Astin from the Addams Family is an intellectual, but his father was a scientific genius who ran the US Bureau of Standards for many years.
posted by Dcer on 9-9-2007 at 3:34 pm
Bruce Dickinson, singer with Iron Maiden, studied History at university for three years before his music career took off… but the stuff he’s done since then show’s he’s never stopped learning. He’s been a published author, Radio and TV presenter, represented Britain at Fencing, and set up a Fencing equipment company. Oh, and Bruce is a qualified commercial pilot, and flies as co-pilot for a UK charter airline. Nickname: Conan the Librarian. 8)
posted by brian t on 9-9-2007 at 4:03 pm
I believe that most of the members of Queen actually met while in college. And Brad Pitt went to high school in the Kickapoo school district in Springfield, MO. I just like saying it.
posted by katie on 9-9-2007 at 7:54 pm
I can’t believe you missed Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, who became an expert in counterterrorism. He got famous playing guitar with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers.
posted by Jack on 9-9-2007 at 8:44 pm
James Woods
He got a 1580 on the SATs
Dropped out of MIT right before he graduated.
…and to answer a question from above
Sharon Stone’s IQ: 148 or 154 depending on the source
posted by unsub on 9-9-2007 at 9:26 pm
“Dr. Robert Leonard has his BA, MPh, MA AND his PhD from Columbia University. His field is Linguistics, particularly Swahili where his is one of four main translators in the United States. He is a professor at Hofstra University…
and none of that might have come to pass had his band, Sha-Na-Na, parlayed that slot at Woodstock into the Western Hemispheres answer to the the Rolling Stones”
Frederick Dennis Green, lead singer of Sha-Na-Na, received his J.D. and is a professor at a Law School specializing in entertainment law
posted by Jeff on 9-9-2007 at 10:22 pm
According to her website, country/folk singer Suzy Bogguss has a degree in metalsmithing from Illinois State University.
posted by Duke_E on 9-9-2007 at 11:04 pm
Geena Davis has a degree in drama from Boston U, is a member of Mensa, and speaks fluent Swedish.
Here’s the best one, though:
Ron Jeremy has bachelor’s degrees in education and theater, and a master’s in special education, all from Queens College NY. Before getting into “acting,” he taught special ed in NYC.
Yes, THAT Ron Jeremy.
posted by MadMolecule on 9-9-2007 at 11:47 pm
I feel I must note that Ashton Kutcher did not study Biomedical engineering – it was actually Biochemical engineering (according to VH1’s special on him). But this is confusing to me, as he was only at Iowa for what..a year? maybe less, I forget – and if so, then he wouldn’t have actually specified biochemical engineering, he would just be plain chemical engineering with an intent to specify the bio part in his second year. Or maybe I’m wrong – maybe that’s how the old (pre-2003 entrance) curriculum was.
posted by Lindsay D on 9-10-2007 at 7:08 am
I’m a smart, soon-to-be celebrity! I have studied mechanical engineering, computer science, and have a degree in product design, and next week, I’m going to New York to be on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire!
posted by Anthony on 9-10-2007 at 10:46 am
Gerard Butler (300 and Phantom of the Opera) has a law degree from Glasgow University where he was president of the school’s law society.
posted by Linda on 9-10-2007 at 11:34 am
I agree with halftime. For the purposes of this article, one should have graduated to actually claim the smarty pants award. I know plenty of people who started out studying engineering and didn’t know their a** from a hole in the ground (and did not continue on in engineering. worth a shot, I guess!)
but of course, you dont have to go to college to be smart! that’s for damn sure!
posted by ac on 9-10-2007 at 12:06 pm
So what?
I have a BS in Chemistry (UVA), an MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering (Notre Dame). I got 1560 on my SATs- with 800 on Math- and speak 6 languages fluently, fluently write and read in four of them and won $1,100 of Ben Stein’s Money. I climbed the top ten highest mountain peaks in the Western hemisphere, took a bronze medal in weightlifting at the Pan American games. I also have a Black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a Red belt in karate and a Brown belt in Judo.
I am now retired at the age of 38 after having amassed a fortune in real estate and Wall Street.
I was born with a face for radio, I am missing my left ear (too much rugby), have an inner ear problem that makes me sea sick while sitting in a still chair and I am missing 4 toes and 2 fingers (frostbite).
I am not “Hollywood” nor rock and roll material but I think I have a little more to brag about than these “pretty” clowns.
posted by Mike on 9-10-2007 at 12:43 pm
I think some of the comments miss the point. I would submit that earning higher degrees is not necessarily an indicator of above average intelligence, but rather an indicator of ambition and drive. Each of these folk (including such diverse folk as Ron Jeremy and Brad Pitt) are driven to succeed. As such, they did well in school due to their ambition and drive, and do well in entertainment due to the same ambition and drive.
posted by Izzy on 9-10-2007 at 2:19 pm
from a 2002 press release:
Gorgeous actress Sharon Stone has finally admitted she’s not a member of Mensa – to the genius organization’s immense relief. Rumors have long persisted about the star’s high IQ, but she told last month’s Academy Award ceremony she has never joined the organization. Jim Blackmore, Mensa’s national marketing director for America, says, “It’s delightful to finally see Ms. Stone admit that she’s not and never has been a member of our society. But then she goes on to say, ‘I went to a Mensa school.’ Not so.” Blackmore is certain Stone didn’t attend the school, because no such institution has existed since the early 1960s.
posted by recalcitrant jenny on 9-10-2007 at 6:23 pm
No respect for the classics? Kris Kristofferson was a Rhodes Scholar before moving to Nashville and writing some of the most treasured country songs of the 20th century.
posted by adam on 9-11-2007 at 2:57 pm
Wow Mike, bragging a little? What exactly is your point, genius man? Unless you happen to be a celebrity, the article was not questioning your manhood. Don’t worry.
posted by Ryan on 9-20-2007 at 12:30 pm
George W. Bush recieved his BA in History at Yale and then went on to recieve his MBA from Harvard…all this while not reading one book…Skull & Bones in da house!
posted by jyankee on 9-20-2007 at 12:51 pm
Donald Thomas Scholz (born March 10, 1947 in Toledo, Ohio, U.S.) is a guitarist and electronics engineer. He is best known as the founder of the rock band Boston
posted by Skully on 9-20-2007 at 6:39 pm
I’m glad somebody cleared up that Sharon Stone in Mensa thing – I know I’ve never seen her at a meeting.
posted by Andy on 9-22-2007 at 10:51 am
Real-life Buckaroo Banzai (and RoboCop!) Peter Weller holds a Master’s degree in Roman and Renaissance art. He is an occasional lecturer at Syracuse University, and sometimes pops up on History Channel documentaries on ancient Roman architecture, etc.
posted by jason on 9-26-2007 at 8:19 am
Greg’s a bully. I remember him hassling me and a friend (we were maybe all of seventeen) for being vegetarians..”Humans need meat.” Yargh.
posted by Jennifer on 9-26-2007 at 4:17 pm
Gene Simmons of KISS majored in theology when he went to college. Not sure if that indicates any degree of intelligence but I bet he must have a tonne of snarky comebacks whenever he is accosted by some bible thumping fundamentalist.
posted by JD on 9-26-2007 at 9:58 pm
Rivers Cuomo of Weezer fame has an English degree from Harvard University. He first enrolled in 1995, but due to the demands of his musical career, did not graduate until 2006.
posted by andy on 9-27-2007 at 4:53 am
Adam Sandler has a degree in fine arts from NYU
posted by Tina on 9-27-2007 at 11:20 am
John Tichy, lead guitarist of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, received a PhD in Engineering in 1969. He took a 7 year detour into music, and joined the faculty of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY) in 1976. From 1996 to 2006 he chaired the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering at RPI and just retired (from academia, but not the music scene).
posted by Phil on 10-8-2007 at 9:42 pm
That this article inplies this kind of intelligence is not the norm in Hollywood explains alot.
posted by Andy on 10-22-2007 at 7:52 pm
Sergei Shnurov, singer of the Russian ska-punk band famous for it’s use of the most vulgar language available in the language, is supposedly a holder of multiple impressive degrees, according to my Russian friend. (I couldn’t find the on the English Wikipedia, but maybe on the Russian one?)
posted by Sarah on 12-18-2007 at 9:43 am
Rowan Atkinson has an MSc in electrical engineering from Oxford University. This makes Mr. Bean funnier to me.
posted by A different Allison on 3-26-2008 at 8:30 am
Bridget from “The Girls Next Door” has a master’s degree in French. Proof that you can be blond, busty, and smart! (I qualify for two of the three. I’ll leave you to decide which two. ;) )
posted by Amy on 4-29-2008 at 9:57 am
According to IMDb, Geena Davis is a member of Mensa along with James Woods, Alan Rachins, Cy Frost, Ben Rollins and Chino XL
posted by AB on 5-14-2008 at 11:16 am
Elisabeth Shue (Leaving Las Vegas, Hollow Man, Karate Kid, etc.) had withdrawn from Harvard in 1985, but returned and graduated with a degree in Government in 2000.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Home Improvement) attended Harvard (through 2002) and spent spring semester of his third year at the University of St. Andrews.
posted by Sara on 6-22-2008 at 12:08 am
Groucho Marx never went to college but made up for it by intensive reading and became known for his avid desire to learn. One of his famous quotes, “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
Also, every writer to ever write for “The Simpsons” has been a Harvard graduate.
posted by Josh on 8-21-2008 at 1:37 am
Hey Mike, that’s a nice pedestal you have there.
posted by Asno667 on 2-5-2009 at 9:02 am
Isn’t James Woods far and away the smartest celebrity?
posted by Jake Le Master on 2-5-2009 at 11:25 am
For SOPRANOS Fans… Dan Grimaldi, who played Philly/Patsy Parisi:
Has a BA in Mathematics from Fordham College, MS in Operations Research from NYU, Ph. D in Data Processing from City University of New York
(from IMDB)
posted by Amy on 2-5-2009 at 12:38 pm
Mike – the difference between you and them isn’t that you are smarter – it is that they are much much more likable.
All the accomplishments in the world can’t make up for a total and complete lack of charisma and/or social knowledge.
I’d also like to point out that people who play jeopardy win a hell of a lot more then a thousand bucks. Even people who play are you smarter than a 5th grader get more money. Your haul kinda sucks.
posted by Anthony on 5-22-2009 at 4:22 pm
Josh – every writer to have ever written for the Simpson’s is a Harvard grad? Total bullshit.
im graduated from University College at the University of Toronto
David X. Cohen graduated from Berkely.
Joel Cohen did not graduate from any college
Dan Castellaneta graduated from Northern Illinois University (yes, he has written many episodes)
Ian Maxtone-Graham graduated from Brown
The list goes on and on and on and on.
posted by Anthony on 5-22-2009 at 4:28 pm
Viggo Mortensen (Lord of The Rings, The Road) has dual degrees in Government and Spanish from St Lawrence Univ in upstate NY
posted by MLD on 10-20-2009 at 2:52 am