Late Academic Bloomers

For celebrities, working on the craft can often seem more important than working on traditional schooling. Kids who grow up working in showbiz are required to do on-set tutoring, but we often hear stories about celebs who made it all the way through to adulthood without a high school diploma in hand. These stories are often spun to communicated the idea that you can be successful without school – which is true, in select cases, but most often only in the land of stardom.

However, it appears that schooling is more important to some of these celebs than pop culture might have led us to believe. Here are just a few of the stars who believed education to be important, no matter what their status and success, and went back later in life to get their diplomas.

1. Mark Wahlberg.

Wahlberg just completed his GED program this June, at the age of forty-two. He stated that it was a move inspired by his four children. He’s also interested in furthering his education, saying, “I would love to go to USC and study film.”

2. Christian Slater.

Like Wahlberg, Christian Slater’s motivation for getting his GED was to set a good example for his kids. He discussed his decision on The Ellen Show in 2010.

3. Beyonce.

In 2012, Beyonce was spotted visiting Adult Education offices in New York. It was widely reported that she was pursuing getting her GED, after dropping out of school at the age of 15 to tour with Destiny’s Child.

4. Michael J. Fox.

Fox attended high school, but never finished. After being married and having kids, he found the motivation to complete his GED.

5. Charlie Sheen.

Just last week, Charlie Sheen got his GED at the age of 48. He told TMZ that “it was a loose end that always bothered me. I just have this lifelong habit of never finishing things.” He plans on hanging up his diploma “maybe in the kitchen.”

6. Gretchen Wilson.

Like so many celebs, Wilson was inspired by her daughter to complete her high school education as an adult.

7. Drake.

Drake dropped out of school at fifteen to pursue acting, and in 2012, he finished his GED requirements.

8. Bill Cosby.

Cosby dropped out of high school to join the military – but he later got his GED and went on to earn a Doctorate of Education from the University of Massachusetts.

9. Pink.

Pink had a troubled childhood, nearly overdosing at fifteen and dropping out of high school before finding success in the music industry. She ended up getting her GED as an adult.

10. Chris Rock.

Chris Rock dropped out of high school in the tenth grade, but later, while beginning to pursue his career in comedy, he found the time to go back to earn his GED.

Featured image via Shutterstock

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