When you think about working actors in Hollywood, associating them with a college-educated group of people may not seem like a natural connection. It may come as a surprise to learn that many movie stars are also holders of advanced degrees in a variety of fields. Here are a few:
Taking the term rock star literally, Brian May is a member of the rock band Queen as well as a holder of an advanced degree in astrophysics. This England-born musician is a founding member of Queen. Having played in the band for over 30 years, his reputation as a rock star is undisputed. However in the very beginning years of Queen, Brian was also working toward a PhD at Imperial College. As the band rose to to fame, Brian's college aspirations fell by the wayside. While he and the other members of Queen were were reaching legendary status, Brian never lost sight of his interest in astrophysics. Over thirty years later, Brian once again enrolled into Imperial College. He completed his degree program and graduated with his PhD in 2008.
Mayim got her start as a child actor in the 1990's on the television show Blossom. However, instead of being content with only being an actor, Mayim continued to further her education at UCLA. She completed her undergraduate degree with a triple major in Jewish studies, Hebrew and neuroscience. She didn't stop there; in 2008 she completed her PhD in neuroscience. Currently, she works as an actor on The Big Bang Theory. Funny enough, her character on the show is a neuroscientist herself so it is not much of a stretch for Mayim to play a scientific genius.
Dexter has been the front man for the punk rock band The Offspring since 1984. While he was in his 20's, he pursued a bachelor's degree in molecular biology. However, music came first in his life and his rising music career took precedence over his academic goals. He has been quoted as saying that when he reached age 40, he would rather be a college professor instead of being a musician. That quote was said in 1995. Today, he is 50 years old and a PhD student working on a doctorate in molecular biology at the University of Southern California. He is also a published co-author of several academic papers.
Swedish actor and martial artist Dolph Lundgren may be most famous for his iconic roles in Rocky IV (1985) and The Expendables (2010) but acting credits are not the only accomplishments that he has under his belt. In the early 1980's, Dolph received a degree in chemistry from Washington State University, a chemical engineering degree from the Royal Institute of Technology and a master's degree in chemical engineering at the University of Sidney, Australia. It is unclear whether or not he has used his degrees in any capacity but his acting career is still flourishing.
Ken has made quite the name for himself as a comedic actor. With a discography that includes a reoccurring role on Community and a major role in the hit movie trilogy The Hangover, Ken has been making audiences laugh for over a decade. What many people do not know about Ken is that he is also a medical doctor. In 1995 he received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Specializing in internal medicine, he worked in the field for a few years. Although he was successful, his love of acting was always in the back of his mind. It wasn't until his wife (who is a practicing physician) encouraged him to follow his dream that he decided to change career paths. Given Ken's career background, he gives a new meaning to the phrase “laughter is the best medicine”.
Mr. Bean has been an iconic figure in pop culture for over 20 years. With a television show and multiple movies, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who isn't familiar with the senseless and lovable character. However, the actor who has made Mr. Bean so famous is anything but senseless. Rowan Atkinson is an alumni of Oxford University who holds an advanced degree in electrical engineering. In 2006 he was presented with the Honorary Fellow accolade from his alma mater.
