Celebrities who went back to school after they became famous

Millie Bobby Brown is still a young adult herself but one already so famous that she could understandably skip out on school and continue her acting career. But the 20-year-old has started college, and it's at Purdue University, which is funnily enough in Indiana, the same state where 'Stranger Things' takes place. Brown told Allure she's studying human services, a degree where "you learn about the system and how to help young people," she said. According to the school's website, the program trains students for a variety of careers in community- and home-based programs as well as health-related social services and mental health organizations.

1 / 37 Fotos

Steph Curry -

Golden State Warriors basketball star Steph Curry has made an incredible name for himself in the NBA, but he sacrificed the completion of his college degree to get there. Thirteen years later, he finally received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Davidson College, where he originally attended from 2006 to 2009. The athlete celebrated the achievement with a series of photos on social media, calling the degree a "dream come true."

"Class of 2010….aka 2022 but we got it done!" Curry wrote in his caption. "Thanks to my whole village that helped me get across the finish line. Made the promise when I left and had to see it through."

2 / 37 Fotos

Anthony Anderson -

'Black-ish' star Anthony Anderson officially earned his diploma from Howard University in Washington D.C. on May 7, 2022. At 51, he shared several photos of the momentous occasion on Instagram the next day and explained in the caption that his graduation was "30 years in the making."

"To quote Biggie, 'IT WAS ALL A DREAM!'" Anderson began his post. "Words can’t begin to describe the emotional roller coaster I’m on right now. It’s literally been 30 years in the making. This spring I was finally able to complete the work to graduate from Howard University with a BFA degree from the Chadwick A Boseman College of Fine Arts! Yesterday was a full circle moment. It’s never too late! Things happen when they’re supposed to happen!"

Anderson thanked the people who helped him along the way, including his son who inspired him to return to school and finish his degree after being accepted into Howard University himself.

3 / 37 Fotos

Megan Thee Stallion -

Three-time Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion received her bachelor's degree in health administration at Texas Southern University on December 11, 2021, after pursuing her career and her education simultaneously for several years now. Despite already achieving global fame as a rapper, she vowed to finish college not only for herself but for the influences in her family, including her grandmother and late mother.

With her degree, Megan says she always dreamt of opening a care facility to help the elderly. The 'WAP' singer also says that attending college has helped to keep her grounded through her journey to success. "I might have an amazing night but knowing I have to finish a paper, project or my homework to graduate, keeps my head on straight." She's become a strong advocate for higher education, inspiring her millions of fans and even awarding several scholarships to students.

4 / 37 Fotos

Bryce Dallas Howard -

Twenty-one years after enrolling in New York University back in 1999, the 'Jurassic Park' actress completed her degree. She wrote on Instagram that it's been a dream of hers to complete her formal education, but unfortunately due to the pandemic the grads couldn't have their ceremony that year.

5 / 37 Fotos

Amanda Bynes -

On May 23, 2020, the actress opened up on Instagram about undergoing treatment for her mental health for the past two months, and added that she's still working on getting her bachelor's degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, "trying to get a 4.0 GPA."

6 / 37 Fotos

Quavo -

The Migos rapper announced on Instagram that, at the age of 29, he finally graduated high school with the class of 2020. He posted a photo in a cap and gown, and released a song to celebrate.

7 / 37 Fotos

Steven Spielberg -

Thirty-three years after dropping out of California State University, Spielberg returned to finish his arts degree at the film school.

8 / 37 Fotos

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen - The Olsen twins began acting while they were children, in the 1980s. Years later, in 2004, they commenced at New York University, but neither completed their studies.

9 / 37 Fotos

Shaquille O'Neal -

Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal left Louisiana State University to pursue his career. In 2000, he returned and was awarded a bachelor's degree.

10 / 37 Fotos

Emma Watson - After becoming world-famous through the 'Harry Potter' franchise, Watson began studying at Brown University. She graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in English literature.

11 / 37 Fotos

James Franco - In 2006, Franco began studying an undergraduate English degree at UCLA. He has also attended Columbia University, and has actually taught university courses!

12 / 37 Fotos

Natalie Portman - The star of 1994's 'Léon: The Professional' attended the prestigious Harvard University from 1999 to 2003. She earned an undergraduate degree in psychology.

13 / 37 Fotos

Mayim Bialik - In 2000, Bialik attained an undergraduate degree in neuroscience, and seven years later she got her PhD in the same subject. Both came long after she found great success on the popular TV show, 'Blossom.'

14 / 37 Fotos

Claire Danes - After finding fame in 1996's 'Romeo + Juliet,' Danes started a degree in psychology and fine arts at Yale in 1998.

15 / 37 Fotos

Nick Cannon - In 2016, the actor, rapper, and producer began studying a master’s degree at Howard University in strategic legal management, legal communications, and administration of justice.

16 / 37 Fotos

Georgia May Jagger - While enjoying a successful career in modeling, Jagger attended the New York School of Visual Arts in 2010 to study photography.

17 / 37 Fotos

Yara Shahidi - The child star of 'Black-ish' was accepted into Harvard University in 2017 but took a gap year before beginning her studies. Her activism was noticed by Michelle Obama, who wrote her a letter of recommendation for Harvard. The actor went on to study at the university’s social studies and African American departments, concentrating on “Black political thought under a neocolonial landscape.” She graduated in May 2022.

18 / 37 Fotos

Joseph Gordon-Levitt - An actor since childhood, Gordon-Levitt started studying in 2000 in Columbia University's School of General Studies. He studied history and literature.

19 / 37 Fotos

Karlie Kloss - In 2015, the highly successful model began studying at NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study.

20 / 37 Fotos

Elisabeth Shue - Fifteen years after dropping out to pursue her acting career, Shue returned to Harvard in 2000 to finish her degree in political science.

21 / 37 Fotos

America Ferrera - After the success of 'Ugly Betty,' Ferrera postponed her studies. Ten years later, in 2012, she went back and graduated with a bachelor's degree in international relations.

22 / 37 Fotos

Michael Jordan - Jordan studied at the University of North Carolina before being recruited by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. Despite enormous success in the NBA, he returned to finish his bachelor’s degree in geography.

23 / 37 Fotos

Brooke Shields - Already an established actress, Shields graduated from Princeton University in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in French literature.

24 / 37 Fotos

Tyra Banks - In 2012, the famous model completed a course called the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School.

25 / 37 Fotos

Christy Turlington - Already a well-established supermodel, Turlington graduated from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study in the 1990s.

26 / 37 Fotos

Anna Paquin - The Canadian actress commenced studying at New York's Columbia University in 2001, after winning an Oscar in 1994. She left, however, after one year to return to full-time acting.

27 / 37 Fotos

Swizz Beatz - In 2017, the DJ graduated from Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management program.

28 / 37 Fotos

Jodie Foster - Beginning at Yale in 1980, Foster managed to earn her literature degree while maintaining her career in film by working during the summer.

29 / 37 Fotos

Eva Longoria - Already the star of 'Desperate Housewives,' Longoria finished her master’s degree in 2013. She studied Chicano and Chicana Studies at California State University.

30 / 37 Fotos

Cole and Dylan Sprouse -

Both brothers starting acting as children, and later attended NYU’s Gallatin School. Cole studied geographical information systems, and Dylan studied video game design.

31 / 37 Fotos

Oprah Winfrey - In 1987, Winfrey was already well-known on TV, having accepted a job at CBS. She was one credit short of graduating from Tennessee State University, however, so she went back to complete her degree.

32 / 37 Fotos

Julia Stiles - Stiles rose to fame with films like 1999's 'Ten Things I Hate About You.' She graduated from Columbia University in 2005, with a degree in English literature.

33 / 37 Fotos

Dakota Fanning - After establishing herself as a child star, Fanning started her studies in 2011, at the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Her major was in women's studies.

34 / 37 Fotos

Haley Joel Osment - The child star of 'Forrest Gump' and 'The Sixth Sense' graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2011.

35 / 37 Fotos

Miranda Cosgrove -

The former highest-paid child actress became famous through 'iCarly.' She later began studying psychology at the University of Southern California.

Interested in psychology? Click here to learn some strange and surprising psychological facts!

36 / 37 Fotos

0 / 37 Fotos

Millie Bobby Brown -

1 / 37 Fotos

Steph Curry -

Getty Images

2 / 37 Fotos

Anthony Anderson -

Anderson thanked the people who helped him along the way, including his son who inspired him to return to school and finish his degree after being accepted into Howard University himself.

Getty Images

3 / 37 Fotos

Megan Thee Stallion -

Getty Images

4 / 37 Fotos

Bryce Dallas Howard -

Getty Images

5 / 37 Fotos

Amanda Bynes -

Getty Images

6 / 37 Fotos

Quavo -

The Migos rapper announced on Instagram that, at the age of 29, he finally graduated high school with the class of 2020. He posted a photo in a cap and gown, and released a song to celebrate.

Getty Images

7 / 37 Fotos

Steven Spielberg -

Thirty-three years after dropping out of California State University, Spielberg returned to finish his arts degree at the film school.

Getty Images

8 / 37 Fotos

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen - The Olsen twins began acting while they were children, in the 1980s. Years later, in 2004, they commenced at New York University, but neither completed their studies.

9 / 37 Fotos

Shaquille O'Neal -

Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal left Louisiana State University to pursue his career. In 2000, he returned and was awarded a bachelor's degree.

Getty Images

10 / 37 Fotos

Emma Watson - After becoming world-famous through the 'Harry Potter' franchise, Watson began studying at Brown University. She graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in English literature.

11 / 37 Fotos

James Franco - In 2006, Franco began studying an undergraduate English degree at UCLA. He has also attended Columbia University, and has actually taught university courses!

12 / 37 Fotos

Natalie Portman - The star of 1994's 'Léon: The Professional' attended the prestigious Harvard University from 1999 to 2003. She earned an undergraduate degree in psychology.

13 / 37 Fotos

14 / 37 Fotos

Claire Danes - After finding fame in 1996's 'Romeo + Juliet,' Danes started a degree in psychology and fine arts at Yale in 1998.

15 / 37 Fotos

Nick Cannon - In 2016, the actor, rapper, and producer began studying a master’s degree at Howard University in strategic legal management, legal communications, and administration of justice.

16 / 37 Fotos

Georgia May Jagger - While enjoying a successful career in modeling, Jagger attended the New York School of Visual Arts in 2010 to study photography.

17 / 37 Fotos

18 / 37 Fotos

Joseph Gordon-Levitt - An actor since childhood, Gordon-Levitt started studying in 2000 in Columbia University's School of General Studies. He studied history and literature.

19 / 37 Fotos

Karlie Kloss - In 2015, the highly successful model began studying at NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study.

20 / 37 Fotos

Elisabeth Shue - Fifteen years after dropping out to pursue her acting career, Shue returned to Harvard in 2000 to finish her degree in political science.

21 / 37 Fotos

America Ferrera - After the success of 'Ugly Betty,' Ferrera postponed her studies. Ten years later, in 2012, she went back and graduated with a bachelor's degree in international relations.

22 / 37 Fotos

23 / 37 Fotos

Brooke Shields - Already an established actress, Shields graduated from Princeton University in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in French literature.

24 / 37 Fotos

Tyra Banks - In 2012, the famous model completed a course called the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School.

25 / 37 Fotos

Christy Turlington - Already a well-established supermodel, Turlington graduated from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study in the 1990s.

26 / 37 Fotos

Anna Paquin - The Canadian actress commenced studying at New York's Columbia University in 2001, after winning an Oscar in 1994. She left, however, after one year to return to full-time acting.

27 / 37 Fotos

Swizz Beatz - In 2017, the DJ graduated from Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management program.

28 / 37 Fotos

Jodie Foster - Beginning at Yale in 1980, Foster managed to earn her literature degree while maintaining her career in film by working during the summer.

29 / 37 Fotos

Eva Longoria - Already the star of 'Desperate Housewives,' Longoria finished her master’s degree in 2013. She studied Chicano and Chicana Studies at California State University.

30 / 37 Fotos

Cole and Dylan Sprouse -

Both brothers starting acting as children, and later attended NYU’s Gallatin School. Cole studied geographical information systems, and Dylan studied video game design.

31 / 37 Fotos

32 / 37 Fotos

Julia Stiles - Stiles rose to fame with films like 1999's 'Ten Things I Hate About You.' She graduated from Columbia University in 2005, with a degree in English literature.

33 / 37 Fotos

Dakota Fanning - After establishing herself as a child star, Fanning started her studies in 2011, at the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Her major was in women's studies.

34 / 37 Fotos

Haley Joel Osment - The child star of 'Forrest Gump' and 'The Sixth Sense' graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2011.

35 / 37 Fotos

Miranda Cosgrove -

The former highest-paid child actress became famous through 'iCarly.' She later began studying psychology at the University of Southern California.

Interested in psychology? Click here to learn some strange and surprising psychological facts!

36 / 37 Fotos

Celebrities who went back to school after they became famous

They're not just there to improve their career prospects

18/08/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Education

Educational qualifications are often viewed as a means to an end, whether that's an obvious vocational route, or an attempt to increase the earning potential of an individual. However, sometimes the thirst for knowledge and love of learning are reason enough to head back to school!

In the case of these celebrities, financial gain would certainly not have been their incentive. Rather, a sense of achievement, or perhaps setting an example for their children, might have been the motive.

Have a look through the gallery to find out who decided to go back to college and expand their minds.