Famous School Dropouts - List of Famous School Dropouts

Education is undoubtedly an important part of every human’s life and it’s widely believed that academic success leads to a secure future. However, there are several individuals who have proved that you don’t always need good grades to be successful in life. You would be surprised to know that some of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs and big achievers, in general, haven’t even graduated from high school. Yet, some of these eminent personalities are role models to millions of people from across the world. Hollywood heartthrobs like Johnny Depp, Jim Carrey, John Travolta, Charlie Sheen, Quentin Tarantino, Katy Perry and Nicolas Cage are some world renowned names who never studied much. Maverick filmmaker Quentin Tarantino’s school teachers would have hardly expected their student to make cult classics like ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Inglorious Bastards’. These films didn’t just strike gold at the box office, but garnered a lot of acclaim at film festivals around the world too. Although actors Nicolas Cage and Jim Carrey failed to finish high school, their lives went on to be known as one of the greatest success stories of all time. ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’ star Johnny Depp’s net worth is estimated to be around $400 Million and interestingly, he isn’t a Harvard or Stanford graduate. These celebrities have proved that graduating from high school and taking up a job like everybody else isn’t the only route to success. Here’s a list of high school dropouts who are famous worldwide for their endeavors.

Johnny Depp, Katy Perry, Tom Cruise and Nicolas Cage are some celebrities who didn't graduate from high school

The Most Famous School Dropouts

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Charles BukowskiAugust 16, 1920German, AmericanCharles Bukowski was a German-born American novelist, short story writer and poet
Nicole KidmanJune 20, 1967Australian, AmericanNicole Kidman is one of the most talented actors that the Hollywood film industry can boast of
Henry CavendishOctober 10, 1731BritishHenry Cavendish was a theoretical chemist and physicist, renowned for discovery of hydrogen and calculation of the mass of earth
Frank IeroOctober 31, 1981AmericanFrank Iero is an acclaimed American musician
Joaquin PhoenixOctober 28, 1974AmericanJoaquin Phoenix is a famed actor of Hollywood known for the films, ‘Walk the Line’ and ‘Gladiator’
Al PacinoApril 25, 1940AmericanAl Pacino is a very famous American film/stage actor, known for his extraordinary acting skills
Tom CruiseJuly 3, 1962AmericanTom Cruise is an award-winning American actor and filmmaker best known for movies in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ film series
Charles TaylorJanuary 28, 1948LiberianCharles Taylor is a former politician from Liberia, who served as the President of the country for six years
Simon CowellOctober 7, 1959BritishSimon Cowell is a television personality, producer and entrepreneur
Bobby FischerMarch 9, 1943American, IcelanderBobby Fischer is considered one of the greatest chess players of all times
Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski was a German-born American novelist, short story writer and poet

GermanAugust 16, 19201,868 views

Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez was an American union leader and labor organizer

AmericanMarch 31, 1927197 views

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz is a famous American film actress

AmericanAugust 30, 1972300 views

Boy George

Boy George is an English singer and lyricist who was also the lead singer of the English pop band ‘Culture Club’

BritishJune 14, 1961180 views

Phil Collins

Phil Collins (Philip David Charles Collins) is an English musician, drummer, singer, and actor

BritishJanuary 30, 1951236 views

Avril Lavigne

Avril Ramona Lavigne is a mufti-faceted Canadian singer-songwriter

CanadianSeptember 27, 1984234 views

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger is an American actor popularly known as ‘Terminator’ and is also the former Governor of California

AmericanJuly 30, 1947167 views

Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson was an American singer widely regarded as the pioneer of Minneapolis sound

AmericanJune 7, 1958138 views

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine Zeta-Jones is a renowned Welsh actress

WelshSeptember 25, 1969157 views

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts is famous Hollywood actress

BritishSeptember 28, 1968169 views