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Johnny Depp -

It might come as a surprise to discover that this well-known actor actually left high school to pursue a career in music.

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Jim Carrey -

At 15 years old, Carrey left high school due to his family's financial struggles. To assist with expenses, he and his family worked together as janitors.

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Cameron Diaz -

Diaz departed from Long Beach Polytechnic High School after landing a modeling contract. Shortly thereafter, she made her first appearance in 'The Mask' (1994) alongside Jim Carrey.

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Katy Perry -

The successful pop singer decided to leave Santa Barbara Don Pueblos High School at 15 years of age in order to pursue her singing career. It worked out pretty well! 

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Tom Cruise -

Cruise initially attended school with dreams of becoming a priest. That wasn't his fate, however. Once he developed an interest in showbiz, he left high school and relocated to New York in pursuit of his acting dreams.

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Nicolas Cage -

Cage left Beverly Hills High School at 16 to pursue a career in acting.

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Eminem -

The renowned rapper didn't pass the ninth grade after three attempts and subsequently left Lincoln High School at 17 years old.

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Robert Downey Jr. -

The actor famous for playing Iron Man started his journey as a child star in movies and decided to leave high school when he turned 16. He relocated to New York City to pursue his passion for acting.

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Jay-Z -

Raised in the Brooklyn projects, the rapper left high school early and turned to drug trafficking for a living, before finding success in music. 

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Michelle Williams Keep Text As -

The star of 'Dawson's Creek' went to various high schools, but ultimately chose to do a GED instead so that she would have more time for auditions and acting. 

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Christina Applegate -

Applegate left high school to pursue her acting career, soon securing a role on the renowned show 'Married with Children.'

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Matt Dillon -

During his time as a middle school student, Dillon was cast in the 1978 film 'Over the Edge.' Filming for the movie prevented him from attending school. Following this, he enrolled in Mamaroneck High School, but ultimately had to leave so as not to lose out on acting opportunities. 

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Christina Aguilera -

Aguilera left her high school in Pennsylvania during the ninth grade due to persistent bullying from her peers. As a result, she received homeschooling from her mother.

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Charlie Sheen -

Sheen was expelled from his high school for chronic absenteeism and poor grades shortly before graduation.

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Demi Moore -

At 16, Moore left high school to pursue a career as an actress.

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Seth Rogen -

Rogen left high school early, ironically to portray a high school student on TV. He achieved fame with his notable role on the hit show 'Freaks and Geeks.'

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Drake -

In a similar fashion, the Canadian artist left high school to participate in 'Degrassi: The Next Generation,' a TV series focused on high school students.

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John Travolta -

Travolta left high school and relocated to Los Angeles with aspirations of becoming an actor.

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Chris Rock -

During his teenage years, Rock endured relentless bullying at an all-white school. Consequently, he decided to withdraw from school during the 10th grade and obtain his GED.

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Kristen Stewart -

The actress from 'Twilight' faced academic difficulties and failed multiple classes, leading her to drop out of school at 13. Consequently, she received homeschooling and earned her GED.

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Lindsay Lohan -

Lohan's career flourished early with her performances in 'The Parent Trap' and 'Herbie Fully Loaded.' She left high school and later attained her diploma through homeschooling.

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Whoopi Goldberg -

Goldberg has shared that she quit high school because of how much she struggled in class. It wasn't until a later stage in her life that she was diagnosed with dyslexia.

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Jessica Simpson Jessica Simpson -

The stunning actress being crowned homecoming queen twice in high school comes as no surprise; however, she also endured relentless bullying from other girls. Simpson left school after signing with Columbia Records and later obtained her GED.

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Mark Wahlberg -

Wahlberg, entangled with drugs and alcohol from a young age, eventually decided to leave high school without graduating. 

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Al Pacino -

The renowned actor and filmmaker faced difficulties during his time in high school with subpar academic performance, leading to his decision to leave and pursue his dreams of becoming an actor.

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Cher -

The renowned singer and actress faced challenges maintaining acceptable grades in school as a result of her severe dyslexia. At the age of 16, she made the decision to withdraw from Fresno High School in California.

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Robert De Niro -

Similar to numerous individuals in his profession, De Niro chose to leave school at a young age in order to fully dedicate himself to the pursuit of acting.

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Pink -

Pink had difficult teenage years filled with minor theft and substance misuse. At 15, she experienced an overdose, left school, and eventually obtained her GED.

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Steven Tyler -

Despite not graduating high school, Tyler went on to achieve great fame as one of the most legendary rock stars of his era.

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Jessica Chastain -

The 'Zero Dark Thirty' (2012) actress missed too many days in high school and couldn't graduate. She often chose to read Shakespeare in her car instead of going to class. 

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Emma Stone -

Stone had to depart from high school when she was offered a chance to feature in her first major film, 'Superbad' (2007).

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Michael J. Fox -

According to USA Today, the 'Back to the Future' star left high school despite his teacher's warnings that it would be a "big mistake."

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Arnold Schwarzenegger -

The ex-California governor and actor dropped out of school to pursue bodybuilding.

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David Bowie -

This musician dropped out of school to chase his glam rock music dreams.

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Ryan Gosling -

The Canadian actor was previously suspended from school for throwing knives at other kids! As a result of being a victim of bullying during childhood, he received home education for a short period. Subsequently, he decided to leave school at the age of 17 to pursue a career in acting.

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Avril Lavigne -

After signing a record deal in her teenage years, she departed from school to dedicate her time to her first album, 'Let Go.'

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Charlize Theron -

The actress faced bullying in school from peers who mocked her, leading to her decision to drop out of high school.

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Nicole Kidman -

Kidman pursued her acting aspirations from age 16, leaving school behind.

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Jude Law -

The actor decided to quit school at 17 in order to appear in the soap opera 'Families.'

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Gisele Bündchen -

The Brazilian supermodel began her career at the age of 14, leading her to leave school and prioritize modeling.

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Ozzy Osbourne -

The musician had various learning disabilities, which made his school years challenging. Ultimately, at the age of 15, he left to take up various odd jobs.

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Kelly Osbourne -

Following in her father's footsteps, Osbourne similarly quit school to pursue a career in entertainment.

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Keanu Reeves -

The Canadian actor got kicked out of his high school when he was 16 because he and the principal didn't get along.

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Simon Cowell -

The ex-'American Idol' judge left school at 16 and started working, taking whatever jobs he could find. 

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Catherine Zeta-Jones -

When she was 15, this actress decided to leave high school and go to London to pursue acting.

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Russell Crowe -

Ironically, Crowe left high school at 16 and started his acting career to save money for his education. He aimed to attend the National Institute for Dramatic Art in Australia. However, his acting progress was so successful that he eventually chose not to pursue further education. A colleague's suggestion that it would be a wasted endeavor influenced his decision.

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Colin Farrell -

Farrell left school and achieved great success in his career. He appeared in notable movies such as 'Minority Report' (2002), 'Phone Booth' (2002), 'The Recruit' (2003) and 'Daredevil' (2003). 

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Elton John -

The icon pursued his musical dreams after leaving school at 17 years old.

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Harry Styles -

Styles prioritized his band, One Direction, over his education.

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Naomi Watts -

The actress, who didn't graduate high school, had a series of odd jobs before finding success. 

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Pierce Brosnan -

At the age of just 16, Brosnan made the decision to drop out of high school. Nevertheless, he opted to pursue further education at Drama Centre London instead.

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Daniel Radcliffe -

Following the debut of the first 'Harry Potter' movie, the actor encountered difficulties in balancing school and work. Consequently, he opted for on-set tutors to complete his education.

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Princess Diana -

Lady Diana left school at 16 years old due to failing her O-level exams twice.

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Rihanna -

During an interview with GQ, the singer revealed that her original plan was to complete high school and graduate, but her busy schedule hindered her.

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Orlando Bloom -

At the age of 16, Bloom bid farewell to his classmates and pursued a career in acting.

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Ringo Starr -

A former member of the Beatles had to leave school because of severe illnesses in his childhood that made it impossible for him to attend classes.

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Boy George -

At the age of 15, he was expelled from school and began taking on various occupations, such as being a runner at a printing company and working on a fruit farm.

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Kate Winslet -

Winslet dropped out of school at 16 and started working at a deli, trying to earn enough money for train fare to her auditions.

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Richard Branson -

Struggling with dyslexia and poor grades, the business mogul dropped out of high school at 15. Today, the investor is a multi-billionaire. 

See also: Celebrities who went back to school after they became famous

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