Entertainment
Top 20 Series About Small Towns With Dark Secrets
25. John Legend
John Legend skipped two grades and turned down Harvard to study English at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on African-American literature. Long before becoming an EGOT (winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony), he was already blending intellect and artistry to move people through words and music. | © John Legend
24. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal earned an MBA and a doctorate in education after retiring from the NBA, keeping a promise to his mother to finish school. From business ventures to community work, he’s shown that lifelong learning matters just as much as championship rings. | © Shaquille O’Neal
23. Rashida Jones
Rashida Jones graduated from Harvard with a degree in religion and philosophy, and once considered law or politics before turning to entertainment. She’s since written screenplays, directed documentaries, and proved that serious brains make a powerful combo. | © Netflix
22. Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster was reading by age three, became a high school valedictorian, and graduated with honors from Yale, all while acting in major films. With an IQ of 132 and fluency in French, she’s as sharp as she is talented. | © Jodie Foster
21. Chris Martin
Coldplay’s Chris Martin graduated with first-class honors in ancient world studies from University College London, where he studied Greek and Latin. His lyrics reflect that thoughtful background – emotional, poetic, and rooted in something deeper. | © Chris Martin
20. Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep earned a BA from Vassar and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama – where even the dean said she was clearly destined for greatness. Her legendary talent is matched by the serious academic work behind. | © Miramax Films
19. Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino went from video store clerk to acclaimed director, fueled by an obsessive love of cinema. He wrote Reservoir Dogs in just over three weeks – packed with the kind of film references only a true movie nerd could pull off. | © Universal Studios
18. Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman overcame shyness and a childhood stutter, showing early talent in ballet and acting – and reportedly has an IQ of 132. Her fearless curiosity and willingness to tackle complex roles make her one of the most compelling performers in the industry. | © A24
17. Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg’s genius isn’t just in his flow – he’s been reinventing himself since his school days, when his rhymes at age 12 started drawing crowds. From choir kid to cultural icon, he’s always known how to command attention with brains and style. | © Snoop Dogg
16. Matt Damon
Matt Damon wrote the first draft of Good Will Hunting while at Harvard, launching his career with an Oscar before even finishing college. He’s also the co-founder of Water.org, using his platform to bring clean water to communities in need. | © The Samuel Goldwyn Company
15. Lisa Kudrow
Before becoming Phoebe on Friends, Lisa Kudrow earned a biology degree from Vassar and worked on medical research with her father. Science was her first path, but comedy ended up stealing the show. | © Sony Pictures Releasing
14. Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett earned both a B.A. and an M.F.A. from Yale, using that foundation to power her unforgettable performances. Her deep preparation and passion for representation show just how far brains and artistry can go together. | © Angela Bassett
13. Mayim Bialik
Mayim Bialik started as a child actor, then took a major academic detour – earning a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA, along with degrees in Hebrew and Jewish studies. She later returned to TV to play a neuroscientist on The Big Bang Theory, art imitating life. | © CBS
12. Edward Norton
Edward Norton graduated with honors in history from Yale, speaks Japanese, and worked for a nonprofit in Japan before acting. He’s also an environmental activist and investor in sustainable projects – smart on screen and even sharper off it. | © Paramount Pictures
11. Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian is following in her father's footsteps and passed California’s notoriously tough “baby bar” exam – all while advocating for criminal justice reform. She’s used her platform to help free wrongfully imprisoned people, proving her focus goes far beyond fame. | © Kim Kardashian
10. Cindy Crawford
Before becoming a supermodel, Cindy Crawford was valedictorian and studied chemical engineering at Northwestern. Her love of math and science never left, and it shows in the way she’s built a smart, enduring brand. | © Summit Entertainment
9. Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck started acting at 7, taught himself Spanish at 13, and moved to L.A. by 18 to chase his career. With a Harvard-educated teacher as a mom, he grew up in a home that valued brains as much as creativity. | © Netflix
8. Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone isn’t just the face of Rocky – he wrote the original script and went on to direct and write several sequels. He studied drama at the University of Miami and has quietly built one of the longest-running careers in Hollywood history. | © Lionsgate Films
7. Geena Davis
Geena Davis is a Mensa member with an IQ over 140, and once trained so hard in archery that she nearly made the U.S. Olympic team. She also founded an institute to fight for gender equality in media – proving smarts, strength, and purpose can absolutely go together. | © Columbia Pictures
6. Shakira
Shakira speaks five languages and even took a course in ancient philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania during the pandemic. Whether she’s on tour, raising her kids, or studying, she’s always feeding her mind as much as her music. | © Shakira
5. Emma Watson
Emma Watson juggled superstardom and studies, graduating from Brown University while also spending time at Oxford. Beyond acting, she’s a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and helped launch Time’s Up UK – brains, activism, and talent all in one. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
4. Dolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren isn’t just a movie tough guy – he has a master’s in chemical engineering and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to MIT. Science was his first passion, and he still brings that precision and discipline to his roles. | © MGM
3. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger went from sneaking into gyms as a teen to becoming a champion bodybuilder, movie star, and governor. He may have struggled in school, but his drive and vision built an empire. | © Orion Pictures
2. Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman graduated from Harvard and even published research in scientific journals before returning full-time to acting. She’s the rare Oscar winner who can also hold her own in a neuroscience lab. | © Lucasfilm
1. Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson might play bumbling on screen, but he is razor-sharp in real life: he has a master’s in electrical engineering from Oxford. His comedy is as calculated as an equation, with characters he once described as “structured like math problems.” | © Universal Studios
