1. Mayim Bialik:
- Known for her roles in "Blossom" and "The Big Bang Theory," Mayim Bialik holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA. She has also taught neuroscience and authored books related to the field.
2. Natalie Portman:
- Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 2003. She later pursued research in neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience.
3. Ken Jeong:
- Ken Jeong gained fame as Leslie Chow in "The Hangover" trilogy. He holds a medical degree and was a licensed practicing physician before transitioning to acting.
4. Lisa Kudrow:
- Lisa Kudrow, best known for playing Phoebe Buffay on "Friends," graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology in 1978.
5. Conan O'Brien:
- Late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien attended Harvard University, where he was president of the Harvard Lampoon, the university's humor publication. He graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in history.
6. Jodie Foster:
- Jodie Foster is a renowned actress and director. She attended Yale University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature in 1985.
7. Hugh Laurie:
- Hugh Laurie, famous for his role as Dr. Gregory House in "House," studied at Cambridge University and holds a degree in archaeology and anthropology.
8. Rowan Atkinson:
- British comedian and actor Rowan Atkinson, known for his character Mr. Bean, studied electrical and electronic engineering at Oxford University.
9. James Franco:
- Actor, director, and writer James Franco graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in English. He also holds an MFA in creative writing from Brooklyn College and a Ph.D. in English from Yale University.
10. Steve Martin:
- Comedian, actor, writer, and musician Steve Martin studied philosophy at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He completed some coursework towards a Ph.D. in philosophy before pursuing entertainment full-time.
11. Brian May:
- Queen guitarist Brian May earned a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Imperial College London. He published a thesis titled "A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud."
12. David Schwimmer:
- David Schwimmer, best known for his role as Ross Geller in "Friends," graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater and speech.
13. Emma Watson:
- Following her widely recognized role as Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" series, Emma Watson attended Brown University, where she studied English literature.
14. Neil Patrick Harris:
- Actor Neil Patrick Harris, famous for his roles in "How I Met Your Mother" and "Doogie Howser, M.D.," is an alumnus of UCLA. He graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater.
15. Rashida Jones:
- Actress and writer Rashida Jones graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and philosophy in 1997.
16. Lisa Ling:
- Journalist Lisa Ling graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a degree in journalism. She embarked on her broadcasting career shortly after.
17. LeVar Burton:
- LeVar Burton, beloved for his role as Geordi La Forge in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," holds a Bachelor of Science degree in theater from the University of Southern California (USC).
These are just a few examples of celebrities who have impressive educational qualifications and achievements. Their stories demonstrate that success in the entertainment industry can coexist with a strong academic foundation.