Famous School Dropouts - List of Famous School Dropouts - page 8

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
Richard Wright

Richard Wright

Richard Wright was one of the most acclaimed African-American authors

Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino is one of Hollywood’s most distinctive directors

AmericanMarch 27, 1963170 views

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton is a popular American hotel heiress, actress, socialite, model and writer

AmericanFebruary 17, 1981290 views

Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne is a famous vocalist and songwriter

BritishDecember 3, 1948213 views

Orlando Bloom

Orlando Bloom is a British actor, popularly known for his role in ‘The Lord of the Rings’

BritishJanuary 13, 1977184 views

Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage is a famous American actor, producer and director, best-known for his role in action and sci-fi films

AmericanJanuary 7, 1964364 views

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman is one of the most talented actors that the Hollywood film industry can boast of

AustralianJune 20, 1967985 views

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg is an actor and singer who rose to fame from a life of childhood crime and drug abuse

AmericanJune 5, 1971273 views

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was a famous and one of the foremost and biggest sex symbol of Hollywood

AmericanJune 1, 1926410 views

Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball was an American model and actress, particularly known for her iconic role in the television sitcom ‘I Love Lucy’

AmericanAugust 6, 1911162 views