Smart celebrities might seem like a contradiction in terms, but that's not entirely fair. The two things aren't mutually exclusive, and there are actually some pretty clever famous people. Many have studied at an advanced level, and some have a very high IQ. So here are just some of the smart celebrities out there ...
1 Lily Cole
Model Lily Cole clearly has plans for her future, which is smart when you're in a profession based on your looks. Not only is she moving into acting (yes, the old model-turned-actress cliche), but she's also obtained a first-class degree from Cambridge University.
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Cole's intelligence is not to be underestimated. Holding her own against the rigorous academic standards of Cambridge University, she majored in the Arts and has proven her mental mettle. Her strategic transition to acting is complemented by a passion for environmental and social activism, illustrating a wide array of interests and a keen sense of responsibility. Her cerebral ventures beyond the runway underscore her multi-dimensional talents and promise a future rich with possibility, far beyond the whims of fashion.
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2 Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman is well-known for being on the list of smart celebrities. Although I'm not much of a fan of her acting, I do admire her brain. Natalie has a degree in psychology from no less an institution than Harvard - that´s pretty impressive.
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Portman's intelligence extends beyond her Ivy League education; she is also a published scientist. Her research paper on memory was published in a scientific journal while she was still an undergraduate. Furthermore, her smarts have clearly complemented her career, with intelligent choices in film roles and active involvement in various causes off-screen. She's proof that beauty and brains can indeed go hand-in-hand, making her accomplishments in academia and her contributions to discussions on important issues all the more impressive. A true inspiration, Natalie deftly balances Hollywood glamour with intellectual prowess.
3 Dolph Lundgren
Action star Dolph Lundgren is probably the last person you'd have put on a list of smart celebrities. But you'd be wrong! Dolph has a master´s degree in chemical engineering, and won a Fulbright scholarship to the prestigious MIT. How many of us can boast those achievements?
4 Jayne Mansfield
Actress Jayne Mansfield was known for being a "blonde bombshell", and thus stereotyped as not being blessed with brains. However, she proved that looks and intelligence can go together. Jayne spoke five languages, and had a very high IQ.
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Contrary to the dumb blonde stereotype often thrust upon her, Mansfield was a woman of substance beyond her onscreen persona. Not only was she a talented actress capable of delivering riveting performances, but her linguistic prowess and reported IQ of 163 placed her well within the bounds of genius. Those close to her knew her as a voracious reader, an aficionada of classical music, and someone who enjoyed discussing philosophy. This multifaceted intelligence made her much more than just another beautiful face in Hollywood.
5 Quentin Tarantino
The director dropped out of high school at age 16, and given his subsequent successful career you may think that he didn't need qualifications. Reportedly, Tarantino has a massive IQ of 160, which if true would put him among the very smartest celebs!
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Quentin Tarantino's intellectual prowess is not just reflected in his memorably complex storylines and multi-layered characters, but can also be seen in his expansive knowledge of film history and his ability to master various genre styles. With a career that has produced cult classics such as Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, his cerebral approach to filmmaking often has his fans and critics alike considering him a true auteur. His achievements serve as an inspiration for aspiring filmmakers everywhere, proving that with passion and an innate talent, formal education is not the only path to success.
6 James Franco
How many celebrities have PhDs? Indeed, how many people outside the celebrity world have a doctorate? Well, actor James Franco is working on his PhD at Yale. I wonder if he'll be credited in film roles as Dr. James Franco - that would be cool!
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Franco embodies the Renaissance man spirit, balancing his Hollywood career with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. The Pineapple Express and 127 Hours star isn't just collecting degrees as a hobby; he's passionate about education and has even taught film classes. Whether he's in front of the camera, behind it, or immersing himself in academia, Franco's pursuit of a PhD is a testament to his dedication to continual growth and learning. Who knows, perhaps his next role will be inspired by his scholarly endeavors!
7 Jennifer Connelly
It takes a smart person to learn to speak not one, but two languages fluently (I can tell you it isn't easy to learn a foreign language!). Jennifer Connelly speaks both French and Italian, on top of having studied at Yale and Stanford.
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Connelly's intelligence shines through her academia as well as her multilingual talents. Not only did she grace the halls of prestigious universities, but she also applies her sharp intellect to her craft in acting, portraying complex characters with depth and nuance. Her brainpower extends beyond the script, as she engages in thoughtful interviews and advocates for education, illustrating that her smarts are both bookish and worldly. It's no wonder this talented actress has earned critical acclaim and a loyal fan base appreciating her beauty and brains.
8 Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster was one of the first smart celebrities. After some notable early roles, the actress put aside her career to concentrate on her studies, gaining a degree in literature from Yale. She also speaks fluent French, and is reported to have a high IQ.
9 Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford totally debunked the notion that all models are dumb, when she became a valedictorian of her graduating class and received a scholarship to study chemical engineering at Northwestern University. She is a complete package filled with beauty and knowledge!
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Despite leaving college to pursue modeling, Crawford's intellectual prowess didn't diminish with her career shift. She leveraged her smarts into a successful business venture, launching a line of beauty products and becoming a savvy entrepreneur. Her acumen for business is reflected in the longevity of her career in a notably fickle industry, proving that her brains are just as striking as her runway presence. Cindy Crawford remains a timeless icon—an inspiration to women who value both beauty and intellect.
10 Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal followed his sister's foots steps and actually enrolled at Columbia University as she was finishing up her senior year. Both of them admit that Columbia has filled them with knowledge and opened up their minds, but of course Jake Gyllenhaal had to drop out because of his success with "October Sky".
11 Vampire Weekend
Believe it or not but all members of the Vampire Weekend graduated from Columbia University! Before they become known around the world, they actually worked as an English teacher, an archivist for SONY and an assistant for a film score composer!
12 Ken Jeong
Ken Jeong is best known for playing the role of Mr. Chow in the Hangover movies, but don't let his character fool you! Ken Jeong actually studied pre-med at Duke University, received his MD at UNC Chapel Hill and finished off his residency in New Orleans! It's pretty impressive!
13 David Duchovny
David Duchovny actually went to TWO Ivy League schools, Princeton University which is currently rated number one and Yale University. He studies literature and earned his masters in English but later dropped his studies for PhD for a career in acting.
14 Matt Damon
Matt Damon actually came out with the "Good Will Hunting" idea as he was finishing off his studies at Harvard University and we all know how prestigious that place is. Although he had to drop out in order to pursue his acting career, the Crimson school actually still awarded him with the Harvard Arts Medal.
15 Lisa Kudrow
Despite playing a very confused and slightly clueless character on 'Friends', Lisa Kudrow is a one smart cookie! Before Kudrow went into acting she actually drowned herself in medical research working as a part of her father's staff for about 8 years. I guess it made sense for her to follow her family's path, her father is a doctor and her brother is a neurologist after all! She actually receives B.S in biology an earned credit for research on headaches.
So, it appears that there are some pretty smart celebrities out there! Fame isn´t everything, and it's good that so many celebrities recognise the importance of education. Does it surprise you that there are famous people with brains as well, or do you think that they are just stereotyped as pretty but dumb actors?
