Famous School Dropouts - List of Famous School Dropouts - page 4

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
Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando was an American actor, considered to be one of the greatest and most influential actors of all time

AmericanApril 3, 1924167 views

Judd Nelson

A talented actor, Judd Nelson has made a career out of playing the bad boys and anti-heroes

AmericanNovember 28, 1959182 views

Ewan McGregor

Ewan McGregor is a famous Scottish actor

ScottishMarch 31, 1971318 views

Christina Applegate

Christina Applegate is an award winning American actress and dancer

AmericanNovember 25, 1971183 views

Dale Earnhardt

Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr

AmericanApril 29, 1951130 views

Sugar Ray Robinson

Sugar Ray Robinson is regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time

AmericanMay 3, 1921232 views

Joe Morgan

Joe Morgan is a former American baseball player and baseball broadcaster, who played as a second baseman

AmericanSeptember 19, 1943225 views

Helmut Newton

Helmut Newton was a German-Australian fashion photographer who gained international fame with his erotic photos for various fashion magazines.

AustralianOctober 31, 1920120 views

Emmy Rossum

Emmy Rossum is a talented American actress and singer-songwriter

AmericanSeptember 12, 1986171 views

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron is a Hollywood actress best known for her award winning role in the film ‘Monster’