These celebrities are more than just actors: Famous Hollywood stars with prestigious college degrees

It’s not all red carpets and flashy nights out for Hollywood celebrities, many of whom have had their fair share of lecture halls and late-night study sessions.

Behind the spotlight, many well-known stars have pursued testing academic paths, earning degrees from some of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Here’s a look at three of the most famous faces on TV who have top-tier university educations:

Natalie Portman graduated from Harvard University in 2003 with a degree in psychology, all while filming the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Despite her rising fame, Portman was committed to her studies and even co-authored two scientific research papers, one of which focused on frontal lobe activation in child development.

She famously stated, “I don’t care if college ruins my career. I’d rather be smart than a movie star,” reflecting her strong academic drive. Portman lived in dorms and took part in campus life like any other student, though with added security.

Emma Watson earned a degree in English Literature from Brown University in 2014 while simultaneously wrapping up the final films in the Harry Potter series. She began her studies at Brown in 2009 and took a brief break to finish filming and promote the franchise.

During her college years, she also spent a year abroad at Oxford University through a visiting student program. Watson often praised Brown for its welcoming and intellectually open atmosphere. Her education played a significant role in shaping her later activism, particularly her work with the United Nations and the HeForShe gender equality campaign.

Conan O’Brien graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1985 with a degree in American History and Literature. While at Harvard, he served as president of The Harvard Lampoon, where he honed his now-iconic comedic writing style and pulled off numerous legendary campus pranks.

His senior thesis, titled “Literary Progeria in the Works of William Faulkner and Flannery O’Connor,” explored themes in Southern Gothic literature. O’Brien’s academic foundation helped propel his early career as a writer for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons, and later established him as one of the most intellectually sharp minds in late-night television.

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As well as those mentioned, all of Allison Williams, Rashida Jones, Brooke Shields, Mira Sorvino, Angela Bassett, Issa Rae, Ken Jeong, and Jodie Foster attended Ivy League or top-tier schools and excelled academically.

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