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 celebrity moms who pursued higher education and obtained a Master’s or Ph.D.
Photo Credit: NBC
1. Eva Longoria – Eva Longoria received her Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and her master’s degree in Chicano Studies from Cal State University Northridge. According to a rep, the Desperate Housewives’ actress began the program while still on the show.
2. Ashley Judd – “The through line that allowed me to change my life was being able to complete my education. And that’s what we need to make sure all girls have access to – education.” That’s what Ashley Judd said when appointed UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for the Empowerment of Adolescent Girls. The actress and activist received her bachelor’s in French from the University of Kentucky and her master’s degree in public administration from Harvard.
3. Sigourney Weaver – Sigourney 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Meryl Streep – Meryl 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.
7. 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.
8. Christy Turlington Burns – Model and maternal health advocate Christy Turlington Burns received her bachelor’s in philosophy from New York University and her master’s degree in public health from Columbia University.
As a celebrity addict, I loved this list- especially b/c I’d love to one day pursue my PhD! Great share.
Interesting. I only knew about Mayam Bialek. I had no idea the others also earned high degrees.
This 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.
Such a great post to use celebrity power to encourage education. Thanks for sharing!
Love that all these women are multi-talented like this!
A bunch of strong inspirational women! This is great!
Wow! Look at Mayam Bialek! What an impressive list of accomplishments from all of these ladies!
Interesting list!
Meryl Streep!!! I love her….
This just made me love her more. 🙂
This is really interesting. They all are such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Very interesting list! I knew they were smart women!
Cool! 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!
Good to see that several of them did their Masters in drama – must have worked!
This 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.
Awesome! I love these ladies. They are talented and intelligent. There is a lot of inspiration shining throughout this list. Thanks so much for sharing!
I love talent it – talent, beauty and smarts. These ladies are the bomb and your blog is so fun. Thanks for sharing!
So many inspirational women! Great post!
Mayim Bialik is very impressive, amazing!
Great post!
Mayim 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 🙂
This is a great post, inspiring! Amazing women, enjoyed learning more about them.
Another great post! Thank you for sharing about these wonderful smart and talented ladies.