Sometimes it’s shocking to learn that celebrities are just normal people like us. Whether it’s because of the way the media portrays them or how they are treated, it’s hard to imagine big stars doing things that everyday people do—for example, going to college. It’s a prestigious honor to attend college, as it should be. But a college degree isn’t required to make it big in the entertainment industry, especially for those who were born with silver spoons in their mouths or stars who got an early start to their career. Still, a lot of actors and musicians worked hard to hone their craft during their college years, which I find intriguing! So here are some of our favorite stars and where they earned their degrees (or briefly attended).
Dylan and Cole Sprouse
You may remember the Sprouse twins as the stars of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Suite Life on Deck. After some amazing TV and film performances from such a young age, they went to college to pursue fields that have nothing to do with acting, both attending NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Dylan graduated with a degree in Video Game Design, while Cole earned a degree in Archaeology (Geographical Information Systems & Satellite Imaging, specifically).
Tina Fey
Comedian Tina Fey is recognized for countless movies and TV shows, including some of our favorites like Mean Girls, Saturday Night Live, and 30 Rock. She attended the University of Virginia, where she studied acting and playwriting. She graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in Drama.
Lady Gaga
Stefani Germanotta, known professionally as Lady Gaga, is famous for her wild outfits and amazing music. But did you know she was also admitted to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts? She spent a year studying in the Collaborative Arts Project 21 after being accepted when she was only 17. She dropped out of college to pursue her music career, but the fictional MTVU did bestow her an “honorary degree” in 2011 for supporting college students through her constant crusade for anti-bullying and individuality.
Related: Spotlight on 5 Colleges Supportive of LGBTQ+ Students
Kourtney Kardashian
Kourtney is one of just two Kardashian children who went to college and earned a degree, along with her brother Rob. Mainly recognized for her role in the reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kourtney went to college at Southern Methodist University in Texas before transferring to the University of Arizona. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Spanish.
Gal Gadot
A previous model, combat fitness instructor, and Miss Israel 2004, Gal Gadot is most well known for her role as Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe. After two years of military service required by Israel for all citizens, she went to Reichman University—a private research university in Herzliya that was inspired by the Ivy League model—to study Law and Government. She completed one year of college before she was contacted by a casting director, and the rest is history.
Elizabeth Banks
Known for her eccentric roles in The Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect, the talented Elizabeth Banks went to school at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She graduated with honors in 1996, earning a Communications degree and Theater Arts minor. She went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco in 1998.
Related: List: Alma Maters of Actors
I think it’s pretty cool that these stars went to college, not just because they extended their education to benefit them personally and professionally, but because it makes them more humane. Celebrities seem untouchable and unrealistic sometimes, and it’s very inordinate and eminent. Hopefully this brings some satisfaction to the fallacious perception we have of famous people and inspires you to pursue what you love in college.
Interested in learning about other colleges that produced famous alumni? Check out the College Trivia section of our Lists & Rankings to discover the alma maters of celebrity chefs, comedians, musicians, and more!
