It's a mistake to underestimate Arnold Schwarzenegger based on his action-hero persona or bodybuilding past. His strategic mind propelled him to the top of three wildly different fields: champion bodybuilder, Hollywood star, and Governor of California. That success is backed by a formidable intellect, with a reported IQ of 135. | © Orion Pictures
Kate Beckinsale's talents extend far beyond her roles in action and romance films. She is a skilled polyglot, reportedly fluent in French, Russian, and German alongside English. Her intellectual strength is confirmed by a reported IQ of 132, which she honed during her time studying at Oxford University before her acting career fully took off. | © Sony Pictures Releasing
Cindy Crawford was the valedictorian of her high school class and earned a full scholarship to study chemical engineering at Northwestern University. Her modeling career took off before she could attend, but that sharp intellect never left. She has since applied her analytical skills to building a highly successful and enduring business empire. | © Vogue / YouTube
Before landing her iconic role on Friends, Lisa Kudrow was on a completely different path, earning a degree in biology from Vassar College. She even assisted her father, a renowned headache specialist, in his medical research. Her sharp, quick-witted comedy likely benefits from that scientific background and her reported IQ of 154. | © Netflix
Madonna's intelligence was clear from her youth, where she was a straight-A student who earned a scholarship to the University of Michigan. She famously left college to chase her musical ambitions in New York. That sharp mind, with a reported IQ of 140, has guided her through decades of successful reinvention as a performer and savvy businesswoman. | © Miramax
Before Steve Martin became a comedy legend, he was a philosophy student at California State University. He seriously considered a career as a professor before shifting his focus to theater and performance. That sharp mind, with a reported IQ of 142, clearly informed the intelligent and inventive humor that made him famous. | © Carolco Pictures
Meryl Streep laid the foundation for her legendary career with a master's degree in drama from Yale. Her unparalleled skill in completely transforming into her characters has earned her a record number of Oscar nominations. This brilliant work is supported by a formidable intellect, with a reported IQ of 143. | © Universal Pictures
Before he was chasing aliens on The X-Files, David Duchovny was collecting Ivy League degrees. He earned a bachelor's in English Literature from Princeton and followed it up with a master's from Yale. That academic prowess is backed by a reported IQ of 147, proving his brain is as sharp as his on-screen charisma. | © Bleeker Street
Aisha Tyler put her Dartmouth degree in political science to the side to dive into comedy and acting. She's since built a diverse career as a stand-up comedian, director, and the voice of Lana Kane on Archer. Her wide-ranging success is a testament to her sharp mind, which boasts a reported IQ of 156. | © Scott Evans / YouTube
Matt Damon famously left Harvard University just a dozen credits short of his degree to pursue acting. That academic background clearly served him well, as he and Ben Affleck later co-wrote the Oscar-winning script for Good Will Hunting. His impressive intellect is backed by a reported IQ of 160, which certainly hasn't hurt his journey to becoming a major movie star. | © The Samuel Goldwyn Company
Natalie Portman is also a Harvard graduate with a degree in psychology. While building her film career, she co-authored a scientific research paper and has even served as a guest lecturer at Columbia University. Her academic achievements are a clear match for her reported IQ of 140. | © Paramount Pictures
Quentin Tarantino's brilliant, layered films are a direct reflection of his powerful intellect, boasting an IQ of 160. He famously dropped out of high school, becoming a self-taught expert in cinema history. This deep, autodidactic knowledge fuels his unique storytelling and his mastery of dialogue. | © Miramax Films
Mayim Bialik first captured attention as the star of the '90s sitcom Blossom. In a unique case of life imitating art, she later played a neuroscientist on The Big Bang Theory while holding a real-life PhD in neuroscience. With a reported IQ of 163, her intelligence is not just a character trait. | © Warner Bros. Television
The man who brought the delightfully simple Mr. Bean to life is actually an Oxford-educated engineer with a master's degree. Rowan Atkinson first excelled in the complex world of electrical engineering before turning to comedy. His reported IQ of 178 proves the genius behind the character is very real. | © Universal Pictures
Before his acting career, James Woods was a student on an impressive academic path, studying political science at MIT. He left university to pursue acting, becoming a recognizable face and an iconic voice in projects from "Hercules" to "Family Guy." His intellectual firepower is undeniable, with a reported IQ of 184 that places him in a truly elite category. | © Universal Studios
We know these celebrities for their award-winning performances and chart-topping hits. But behind the glamour, many of them possess a powerful and often surprising intellect. From Ivy League graduates to certified geniuses, here are the stars with some of the highest IQs in Hollywood.
