Famous School Dropouts - List of Famous School Dropouts - page 9

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
Madonna

Madonna

Madonna is a versatile artist of America and a renowned name in pop music world, known for albums MDNA and Like a Virgin

AmericanAugust 16, 1958266 views

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan is a popular American actress, fashion designer and recording artist

AmericanJuly 2, 1986207 views

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland is a well-known British-Canadian actor, film producer and director

CanadianDecember 21, 1966146 views

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter

AmericanFebruary 20, 1967164 views

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet is a renowned English actress and soprano singer

BritishOctober 5, 1975332 views

Keanu Reeves

Known for his impeccable character of ‘Neo’ in ‘The Matrix’ trilogy, Keanu Reeves is a Canadian-American actor who has done a variety of roles in Hollywood movies.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp is a famous Hollywood actor renowned for his roles of Captain Jack Sparrow in the ‘Pirates of Caribbean’ movies

AmericanJune 9, 1963188 views

John Travolta

John Travolta is an outstanding American actor, dancer, and singer

AmericanFebruary 18, 1954197 views

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey is a famous Canadian-American actor known for his exceptional performance in ‘The Truman Show’

CanadianJanuary 17, 1962253 views

Jay-Z

Jay-Z (Shawn Corey Carter) is a prominent rapper and hip-hop entrepreneur