Celebrities are often in the spotlight, whether attention is drawn to a performer’s striking looks, or recognition given to a thespian’s acting ability, or perhaps a celeb has fallen victim to the latest salacious scandal; whatever fame brings it’s safe to assume that most want to hear about the positive achievements like these five celebrity moms who pursued higher education and obtained a Masters or PhD.
1. Sigourney Weaver – Weaver’s involvement with acting began while studying at Sarah Lawrence College and then later Standard University. The actress/producer later went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University School of Drama in 1974.
Photo Credit: Jared Narber/Flickr
2. Mayim Bialik – After a successful run as the title character on the hit TV show Blossom, Mayim Bialik, attended UCLA, even though she had been accepted at both Harvard and Yale. Bialik wanted to remain close to her parents, and earned a B.S. degree in neuroscience, Hebrew studies, and Jewish studies, and she didn’t stop there. In 2007 the Big Bang Theory actress also obtained a doctorate in neuroscience.
Photo Credit: Adam Fagen/Flickr
3. Angela Bassett – Angela Bassett not only received her B.A. degree in African-American studies from Yale University in 1980, but her Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama in 1983. The Oscar nominee was the only member of her family to go to college and graduate school. She even met her future husband, Courtney B. Vance (a 1986 drama school graduate), while at Yale.
Photo Credit: Mehmet Cagatay/Flickr
4. Meryl Streep – Streep received her bachelor’s degree in Drama from Vassar College in 1969, where she demonstrated an early ability to mimic accents and to quickly memorize her lines. The multiple Oscar winner also obtained her MFA from the Yale School of Drama in 1975.
Photo Credit: Love for HBC/Flickr
5. Marcia Cross – Desperate Housewives star, Marcia Cross, received a half-scholarship to Juilliard and graduated in 1984 with a B.F.A. in Acting. Cross later returned to school in 1997 to earn a master’s degree in psychology, which she received from Antioch University Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: Donate Link/Flickr
Six Pack Mommy says
April 15, 2015 at 8:25 amAs a celebrity addict, I loved this list- especially b/c I’d love to one day pursue my PhD! Great share.
Allison says
April 15, 2015 at 8:27 amInteresting. I only knew about Mayam Bialek. I had no idea the others also earned high degrees.
Jean says
April 15, 2015 at 9:22 amThis list is really interesting. I think it is interesting that two of them obtained degrees in something other than fine arts. I didn’t know that Mayam Bialek had a degree in Neuroscience. I bet that makes it easier for her to play the character on The Big Bang Theory.
Amy Nielson says
April 15, 2015 at 9:52 amSuch a great post to use celebrity power to encourage education. Thanks for sharing!
Robin says
April 15, 2015 at 9:54 amLove that all these women are multi-talented like this!
Ronda says
April 15, 2015 at 10:10 amA bunch of strong inspirational women! This is great!
Kim says
April 15, 2015 at 10:22 amWow! Look at Mayam Bialek! What an impressive list of accomplishments from all of these ladies!
Leslie says
April 15, 2015 at 11:11 amInteresting list!
Takisha says
April 15, 2015 at 11:18 amMeryl Streep!!! I love her….
This just made me love her more. 🙂
Deepika says
April 15, 2015 at 12:06 pmThis is really interesting. They all are such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Jen says
April 15, 2015 at 12:21 pmVery interesting list! I knew they were smart women!
yanique says
April 15, 2015 at 1:09 pmCool! I am impressed with Mayim Bialik and her neuroscience degree! I dabbled in neuroscience for oh six classes before I realized neuroscience is a language I don’t understand. Kudos to her and the other accomplished ladies!
annabelt - geeks diet says
April 15, 2015 at 1:15 pmGood to see that several of them did their Masters in drama – must have worked!
Gail Cavanaugh says
April 15, 2015 at 4:00 pmThis is very interesting! Although, I am not surprised. I read that the entertainers have very high IQ’s compared to the rest of society. Education certainly helps anyone in any profession.
JcCee Watkins Barney says
April 15, 2015 at 5:47 pmAwesome! I love these ladies. They are talented and intelligent. There is a lot of inspiration shining throughout this list. Thanks so much for sharing!
April Rutherford says
April 15, 2015 at 7:37 pmI love talent it – talent, beauty and smarts. These ladies are the bomb and your blog is so fun. Thanks for sharing!
Her Heartland Soul says
April 15, 2015 at 7:44 pmSo many inspirational women! Great post!
mommytime365 says
April 15, 2015 at 9:08 pmMayim Bialik is very impressive, amazing!
Great post!
Sara says
April 16, 2015 at 7:34 amMayim Bialik is my absolute favorite actress! I fell in love with her as Blossom but even more when I got to know her in her later years. She definitely has a good head on her shoulders 🙂
Jane says
April 16, 2015 at 6:01 pmThis is a great post, inspiring! Amazing women, enjoyed learning more about them.
Kim Seghers says
April 19, 2015 at 3:41 pmAnother great post! Thank you for sharing about these wonderful smart and talented ladies.