15 Celebrities Who Dropped Out of High School

In Hollywood, success stories often include surprising twists—and for some of the biggest stars worldwide, a high school diploma wasn’t necessary. These celebrities relied solely on their talent and determination, leaving high school early or pursuing unorthodox routes. From acclaimed actors and hit musicians to iconic comedians, find out which legends never graduated high school and how they overcame the odds without a diploma.

Seth Rogen

Seth Rogen attended Point Grey Secondary School in Vancouver, but dropped out before graduating to pursue his comedy career, per People.  After moving to Los Angeles, he landed his first job on Freaks and Geeks at 16, before channeling his passion for improv and stand-up into a successful film career.

Jeremy Allen White

Jeremy Allen White studied at the Professional Performing Arts School in New York, but left before completing his senior year to focus on acting opportunities, per People. White frequently ditched his after-lunch classes and did not earn enough credits to graduate, but was awarded a high school diploma at age 34. “I wasn’t a good student,” White admitted on Live with Kelly and Mark, explaining that he had “a hard time paying attention” and “I didn’t get all my credits, and so I never graduated.” His early start led him to land significant roles, most notably as Lip Gallagher in Shameless and Carmy in The Bear. White’s leap of faith from high school to Hollywood has clearly paid dividends, earning him critical acclaim.

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg attended Copley Square High School on Newbury Street in Boston, but dropped out in ninth grade. He famously took online classes at age 42 to earn his diploma, according to CBS News. Now 55, Wahlberg’s journey from a challenging adolescence to music stardom with Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, and then to blockbuster film roles, is a testament to his determination and reinvention.

Patrick Dempsey

Patrick Dempsey went to Buckfield Junior-Senior High School in Maine but left before graduating, later focusing on acting and his burgeoning career in magic and stage performance. At just 17, Dempsey quit school after landing a role in a touring production, as reported by Harpers Bazaar. After winning a talent contest in New York, Dempsey got an agent and turned to professional acting. The Grey’s Anatomy alum’s early departure from traditional education paved the way for a career both on screen and in motorsports, which he pursued after gaining fame.

John Travolta

John Travolta attended Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, New Jersey, but dropped out at 17 to pursue acting across the Hudson River in New York City, per Business Insider.  After moving, Travolta landed a role in the touring company of the musical Grease. His gamble paid off — Travolta shot to fame on Welcome Back, Kotter and became a movie legend with the film version of Grease as well as Saturday Night Fever.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro attended several schools in his hometown of New York City, including the Little Red Schoolhouse, the High School of Music & Art, McBurney School and Rhodes Preparatory School, but dropped out at 16 to focus on acting, according to The Denver Post. His decision paid off with iconic roles and numerous accolades, including two Oscars.

Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino admitted on the Howard Stern Show to dropping out of ninth grade Narbonne High School in California in ninth grade to attend acting classes. After two years, he found himself working in a video rental store in Manhattan Beach, where his real education began — he discussed cinema with his co-workers and paid close attention to the types of films people liked to rent. His encyclopedic film knowledge and bold voice redefined cinema with cult classics like Pulp Fiction.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. and his sister were immersed in film and the performing arts from a very young age, leading Downey Jr. to study at the Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in upstate New York, before moving to California with his father following his parents’ 1978 divorce. He attended Santa Monica High School but left at 17 in 1982 to move to New York City and act full-time, as reported by Looper. Despite many ups and downs, Downey’s gamble fueled a comeback story for the ages, from Chaplin to Iron Man.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp dropped out of Miramar High School in Florida at 16 to pursue a career in music, per Slate. His first band of note, the Kids, achieved a bit of success in the area, opening for the likes of the Ramones, Iggy Pop, the Pretenders and Talking Heads. When acting came calling, he proved his versatility and became a Hollywood A-lister with roles ranging from Pirates of the Caribbean to collaborations with Tim Burton. Depp’s creative risk led to a multi-billion-dollar career and global fame.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves attended four Toronto-area schools, including Avondale Secondary Alternative School, De La Salle College, and the Etobicoke School of the Arts, from which he was expelled for misbehaviour, according to The Canadian Encyclopedia. After leaving that school, he chased his dream of acting by relocating to Los Angeles.

Tracy Morgan

Tracy Morgan attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, but in 1985, during his sophomore year, he discovered that his father had contracted AIDS as a result of hypodermic needle use, according to People. His father’s condition worsened in 1987, and Tracy, who had also gotten married to his high school girlfriend, dropped out of school to take care of him. Morgan then took his comedic talents to the streets, working through early struggles before joining Saturday Night Live, where he was a cast member from 1996 to 2003, as reported by NBC News. His story is all about resilience and humor overcoming formidable obstacles.

Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank attended Sehome High School in Bellingham, Washington, but left at 16 to pursue acting full-time in Los Angeles, where she and her mother lived out of their car until Swank’s mother saved enough money to rent an apartment, per FOX 11 Los Angeles. Though Swank enrolled in South Pasadena High School, she later dropped out to work. Swank’s leap of faith landed her two Oscars and respect as an actress willing to tackle challenging roles, per Britannica.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet attended Redroofs Theatre School in Maidenhead, England, focusing on acting instead of finishing her formal education, as reported by Backstage. She balanced early roles with rigorous stage and screen auditions, quickly earning leading roles and eventually an Oscar. Winslet’s early start helped shape her into one of the most respected actresses today.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry enrolled at Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, California, but left after her first year of high school to start her music career, per Noozhawk. Her singing caught the attention of rock artists Steve Thomas and Jennifer Knapp from Nashville, Tennessee, who brought her there to improve her writing skills. In Nashville, she started recording demos and learned how to write songs and play guitar. Perry’s bet on her talent rewrote the rules for pop stardom and inspired millions.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey‘s early adolescence took a turn for the tragic when the family was forced to relocate from their cozy town of Newmarket to Scarborough. They all took security and janitorial jobs in the Titan Wheels factory, with Jim working 8-hour shifts after school let out. He attended Agincourt Collegiate Institute in Toronto, but dropped out at 16 to continue supporting his family, eventually moving into stand-up and television, as reported by Screen Dollars. His relentless drive turned early hardship into one of comedy’s most energetic film careers.