Famous School Dropouts - List of Famous School Dropouts - page 7

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
Walt Disney

Walt Disney

Walt Disney was one of the most prolific and innovative creators that the world of animation can boast of

Dame Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood is an award winning British fashion designer

BritishApril 8, 1941253 views

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is an award-winning American actor and filmmaker best known for movies in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ film series

AmericanJuly 3, 1962448 views

Bo Derek

Bo Derek is an American film and television actress and producer, best known for being one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1970s and 1980s.

AmericanNovember 20, 1956149 views

Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler is the lead singer of the rock band Aerosmith and also plays multiple instruments for the band

AmericanMarch 26, 1948362 views

Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell is a television personality, producer and entrepreneur

BritishOctober 7, 1959422 views

Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr is an American actress, director, comedian, producer and writer

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro is a legendary actor of Hollywood who has given some iconic movies

AmericanAugust 17, 1943114 views

Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams is an English singer-cum songwriter, record producer, and musician

BritishFebruary 13, 1974270 views

Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr is the legendary drummer for ‘The Beatles’

BritishJuly 7, 1940204 views