There are a surprising number of celebrities who have Ph.D. degrees. It’s not something you would necessarily expect, but many famous people have put in the hard work to earn advanced academic degrees. Some celebrities with PhDs are singers and actors, while others are scientists or academics.

One of the most well-known celebrities with a Ph.D. is actress Mayim Bialik. She earned her degree in neuroscience from UCLA, and she has spoken about how having a Ph.D. has helped her in her acting career. Another actor with a Ph.D. is Alan Alda, who earned his degree in physics from Fordham University.

There are also quite a few musicians who have PhDs. For example, singer and songwriter John Legend have a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, the rock band Muse has members who hold doctorates in astrophysics and engineering.

Celebrities with Ph.D. Degrees

10. Rowan Atkinson

Rowan Atkinson, the actor and comedian, best known for his roles in ” Blackadder ” sitcoms” and “Mr. Bean,” has a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Newcastle University. Atkinson decided to pursue a Ph.D. after becoming interested in the subject while working on the “Blackadder” set. He completed his degree in 1991 and has said that it was a “very tough” experience.

Other celebrities with PhDs include actress Natalie Portman (Harvard), singer Gwen Stefani (UCLA), and talk-show host Conan O’Brien (Harvard). While having a Ph.D. may not be essential for success in show business, it seems familiar among celebrities who have achieved a high level of success.  Television producer John Lloyd discovered him in 1976.

9. David Duchovny

The X-Files and Californication David Duchovny is one celebrity who has achieved a great deal of success while also earning a Ph.D. degree. He is best known for his roles in the popular TV series “The X-Files” and “Californication”.

What many people may not know is that he also has a Ph.D. in literature from Yale University. Duchovny has said that he believes it is essential to have a well-rounded education and that getting a Ph.D. was something he always wanted to do.

He has spoken about how his time at Yale helped him grow as an artist and thinker and allowed him to explore different areas of study. Duchovny is just one example of a celebrity who has achieved great things while earning a doctoral degree.

8. Dolph Lundgren

Dolph Lundgren, a graduate of the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, has a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. Lundgren worked as a chemical engineer for two years after completing his degree. He then pursued an acting career and has starred in more than 50 films. Lundgren is also an accomplished martial artist; he holds black belts in Kyokushin karate, Taekwondo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

7. Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver is one celebrity you may not have known who a Ph.D. degree has. She earned her doctorate in English from Yale University. But, Weaver said, “A Ph.D. is a licence to teach; it’s not a licence to think.” She has used her education to become a successful actress and producer.

6. James Franco

James Franco is a well-known actor, director, and author who holds a Ph.D. degree. Franco began his higher education at the University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in English. He later attended Columbia University, where he earned his MFA in writing.

In 2010, Franco was awarded his Ph.D. in English from Yale University. While attending school, Franco continued to work as an actor and appeared in such films as “Pineapple Express” and “127 Hours.” He has also directed several short films and television episodes.

5. Brian May

Brian May, a guitarist and singer-songwriter for the rock band Queen, is also a doctor of astrophysics. He was awarded his Ph.D. in 2007 from Imperial College in London. May’s research focused on zodiacal dust in the solar system.

In addition to his work in astrophysics, May is an activist for animal rights and has written a book about guitar playing.  It took 37 years for his thesis on zodiacal dust to be approved, 

3. Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik is a celebrity who has attained great success while also earning herself a Ph.D. She is best known for her roles on Blossom and The Big Bang Theory TV sitcoms. However, many people may not know that she is also a neuroscientist.

Bialik earned her Ph.D. from UCLA in 2007, studying the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Since then, she has been a vocal advocate for women in science and has spoken about the importance of having more female representation in STEM fields.

2. Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong is a successful actor and comedian, but also a doctor. Jeong has a Ph.D. in medicine from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He worked as a physician before becoming a full-time actor. Jeong has said that his medical background helps him play doctors on TV shows. He also uses his knowledge of medicine to help improve the accuracy of medical scenes in TV shows and movies.

1. Shaquille O’Neal

Many celebrities have Ph.D. degrees, but Shaquille O Neal may be the most famous. After all, he is a seven-time NBA champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist. O Neal earned his Ph.D. in education from Barry University in 2015. His dissertation was on the use of digital media in teaching and learning.

While attending college, O Neal worked as a broadcaster for the Miami Heat. He also did some acting, appearing in Blue Chips and Kazaam films. After retiring from professional basketball in 2011, O Neal turned his attention to academia. He has since served as a professor at Louisiana State University and Florida State University.

O Neal isn’t the only celebrity with a Ph.D. degree. Others include Hugh Laurie (actor), Mayim Bialik (actress), and Ice T (rapper).