Known for his work with the comedy group, Monty Python, none of us would have imagined John Cleese being a lawyer. Cleese earned his degree in law in 1963 from Downing College, Cambridge University. Prior to studying law, he taught science, geography, history, English, and Latin at St. Peter’s, a preparatory school in Weston where he also attended when he was a kid.
But comedy was his passion. Cleese joined the Cambridge Footlights and had his first success when he wrote and appeared as a cast member in A Clump of Plinths. He then completely left the legal life to embark on a career in the comedy industry.
Ron Jeremy Has a Master's in Special Education
Adult film actor, Ron Jeremy, has not always been in the adult film industry, and it’s amazing how different his world was prior to being in the entertainment field. Jeremy earned two degrees in college—a bachelor of arts in education and a bachelor of arts in theater. He then received a master’s degree in special education from Queens College. After graduating, he taught special education classes in high school. He particularly worked with children with autism and teens with schizophrenia.
However, Ron Jeremy had always loved acting, and teaching wasn’t going so well for him financially. After a few hops, skips and jumps, he found himself in the adult film world. Is it even possible for you to imagine him being a clean-cut teacher who changes the lives of special kids?
Rowan Atkinson Has a Master's in Electrical Engineering
Mr. Bean has given so much laughter to so many people because of his comical simple-mindedness, but the man who portrays him is far from simple. Rowan Atkinson attended Newcastle University where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. He later received a master of science in electrical engineering from The Queen’s College, Oxford. Atkinson eventually became an Honorary Fellow in 2006.
During his time in Oxford, Rowan Atkinson started writing and performing comedy revues. He first gained attention in The Oxford Revue at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1976. Atkinson eventually left the electrical field and spawned a very successful career in comedy.
Vinny Guadagnino Has a Bachelor's in Political Science
Vinny Guadagnino may have been surrounded by party people on the reality television series, Jersey Shore, but who knew this television personality is a political science major? That’s right, he graduated with a bachelor of arts in political science from the College of Staten Island. And he graduated with a remarkable 3.9-grade point average.
The actor was about to go to law school and was studying for his LSATs when he was cast in Jersey Shore. He has often expressed his desire to attend law school, but right now, he is seizing all the opportunities thrown at him.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Has a Bachelor's in International Business and Economics
The Austrian-American actor and former governor of California is more than just his huge biceps. Arnold Schwarzenegger completed a degree in international business and economics at the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1979. He also had a degree in fitness marketing and business administration, obtained in 1980.
The filmmaker, author, and philanthropist made use of his degrees as he invested in real estate and marketed gym equipment and exercise supplements. With his success in bodybuilding and in business, he was on his way to becoming a millionaire before he even turned 22. It was then that he tried to get into acting. He rose to international fame with the movie Pumping Iron, which gave him the notoriety he needed to take over Hollywood.