Seth Rogen left high school in Vancouver at 16 after landing a role on Freaks and Geeks. By that point, he had already spent years doing stand-up comedy as a teenager, making the decision feel natural. School gave way to show business, and that early leap launched his career as a comedy writer and actor. | © Lionsgate Television
Johnny Depp dropped out of high school in Florida at just 15, convinced his future was in music, not classrooms. A few weeks later, he tried to return, but his principal famously told him to keep chasing his dream instead. That push led him down an unexpected road, one that eventually turned a would-be rock musician into one of Hollywood’s most distinctive actors. | © Paramount Pictures
Drew Barrymore walked away from high school after an extremely turbulent childhood that included entering rehab at just 13. Traditional school stopped making sense as she struggled with growing up too fast in Hollywood. Over time, she rebuilt her career on her own terms, becoming a successful actress and the founder of Flower Films. | © Miramax Films
Demi Moore left high school at 16 after a turbulent childhood made staying put nearly impossible. She moved to Los Angeles and jumped straight into acting and modeling, choosing work over classrooms. That early risk paid off, turning her into one of Hollywood’s most recognizable and highest-paid stars of the 1990s. | © MUBI
Al Pacino dropped out of the High School of Performing Arts at 17 after academics and financial pressure collided with his obsession with acting. Growing up in the South Bronx made school feel secondary to surviving and chasing something bigger. He committed fully to stage work, a gamble that eventually led to defining roles like The Godfather. | © Paramount Pictures
Simon Cowell left school at 16 after realizing academics weren’t his strength and work felt like the better option. His father helped him land a mailroom job at EMI, giving him an early foothold in the music business. Starting young proved crucial, as he steadily climbed the industry ladder and later built massive franchises like The X Factor and Got Talent. | © Syco Entertainment
Russell Crowe left high school at 16, choosing work over staying in the classroom while growing up between New Zealand and Australia. He gravitated toward real-world experience, picking up odd jobs and even trying his hand at a short-lived music career. Acting eventually pulled him back in, and that winding path led to some of the most acclaimed performances of his generation. | © AGC Studios
Jennifer Lawrence left school at just 14, walking away from formal education without a diploma or GED. She has said acting gave her a sense of focus and confidence that classrooms never did. That early commitment to her craft ended up pushing her all the way to global stardom. | © Lionsgate Films
Tom Cruise dropped out of high school at 18 after a childhood spent constantly moving from place to place. He headed straight to New York, putting everything on the line to chase acting full-time. That laser focus paid off quickly, turning him into a leading man known for relentless drive and physically demanding roles. | © Paramount Pictures
Ryan Gosling had a rocky relationship with school early on, dealing with social anxiety and even a suspension in first grade. His mother homeschooled him for years, but by 17, he dropped out of high school altogether to move to Orlando. That decision landed him on The Mickey Mouse Club, setting the stage for a career that took a very unconventional route to Hollywood. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Leonardo DiCaprio never finished high school in the traditional sense, largely because acting took over his life at a young age. Growing up as a working child actor in Los Angeles meant long days on set instead of sitting in a classroom. He completed his education through on-set tutoring and earned an equivalent, but never received a standard high school diploma. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Rihanna left secondary school in Barbados at 16 after signing her first major record deal with Def Jam. Finishing school took a back seat once her music career suddenly became very real and very global. That early leap paid off fast, leading not only to superstardom but eventually to the Fenty empire that made her a billionaire. | © Rihanna / YouTube
Keanu Reeves bounced between four high schools in five years, never quite settling into one place. He was expelled from Etobicoke School of the Arts at 16 for being “too rambunctious,” which effectively ended his formal education. Acting took over soon after, and he left school behind to chase roles full-time, eventually heading to Los Angeles to build his career. | © Lionsgate Films
Jim Carrey left high school at 16 after his family fell into financial trouble and needed his help to get by. He took a janitorial job when his father lost his income, putting survival ahead of school. Comedy stayed in his sights, and that persistence eventually carried him from stand-up clubs to becoming one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. | © Saban Films
Eminem left Lincoln High School in Warren, Michigan, at 17 after struggling academically and repeating ninth grade multiple times. School never really fit his life, especially while dealing with a rough upbringing that pulled his focus elsewhere. Instead, he poured everything into battle rap and recording, a decision that ended up reshaping hip-hop entirely. | © Eminem / YouTube
Not every superstar followed the traditional school path. For some, classrooms gave way to auditions, recording studios, or the need to simply survive early on. These celebrities left high school behind and bet everything on a different kind of education.
