Famous School Dropouts - List of Famous School Dropouts - page 5

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
Bobby Fischer

Bobby Fischer

Bobby Fischer is considered one of the greatest chess players of all times

AmericanMarch 9, 1943411 views

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg is one of the most successful and established African American actresses

AmericanNovember 13, 1955137 views

Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman is an award winning American actress best known for her work in ‘Pulp Fiction’ and the ‘Kill Bill’ films

AmericanApril 29, 1970249 views

Lil Xan

Lil Xan is an American rapper, singer and songwriter

Steve Earle

Steve Earle is a Grammy award winning singer-songwriter, whose albums have a mix of folk, country and rock music

AmericanJanuary 17, 1955227 views

Ray Charles

Ray Charles was a popular American singer, songwriter and was the discoverer of soul music

AmericanSeptember 23, 1930207 views

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan is an actor most famous for his role in the ‘James Bond’ film franchise

IrishMay 16, 1953380 views

Matt Dillon

Matt Dillon is a renowned American actor and film director

AmericanFebruary 18, 1964232 views

Eminem

Eminem is one of the most famous rappers worldwide, with numerous hit albums including 'The Marshall Mathers LP’

AmericanOctober 17, 1972309 views

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix is a famed actor of Hollywood known for the films, ‘Walk the Line’ and ‘Gladiator’

AmericanOctober 28, 1974650 views