From Stephen Curry to Kim Kardashian — Stars Who Pursued Education Despite Fame

Fame may open doors, but it does not always satisfy a hunger for growth. From courtrooms to classrooms, some of the world’s most recognizable stars quietly chose education as a parallel pursuit, redefining success beyond awards, wealth, and headlines.

For many celebrities, success came early, often at the expense of everyday experiences like attending school, enrolling in college, and graduating. Yet a select group refused to let fame close the book on learning, proving that ambition does not end once the spotlight turns on.

Stephen Curry: Finishing What He Started

Stephen Curry’s basketball legacy was already secure when he returned to Davidson College to complete his degree. On May 22, 2022, the NBA superstar received his diploma 13 years after leaving school to enter the league.

Curry celebrated the milestone with photos on Instagram, describing the moment as deeply personal. “Class of 2010….aka 2022, but we got it done!” he wrote. “Thanks to my whole village that helped me get across the finish line. Made the promise when I left and had to see it through.”

Kim Kardashian: Persistence in the Legal World

Kim Kardashian’s legal journey has unfolded far from a traditional classroom. Inspired by her late father, attorney Robert Kardashian Sr., she chose California’s law apprenticeship route, committing to hands-on training with a San Francisco firm.

The process has tested her resolve. Kardashian failed the Baby Bar exam three times before passing on her fourth attempt in 2021. She later took the full California Bar Exam in July 2025 but did not pass, with results announced that November.

Rather than stepping back, Kardashian has remained vocal about continuing. California allows multiple attempts, and she has made it clear that setbacks have not shaken her determination to practice law.

Renée Zellweger: Learning Beyond the Spotlight

Renée Zellweger used a break from Hollywood to explore interests outside acting. Between 2010 and 2016, the Oscar winner stepped away from the industry and turned toward personal growth, including education.

In a 2022 interview on “Today,” Zellweger explained her decision. “I needed to step away and kind of grow as a person and learn some things that were not related to work,” she said.

She later revealed that she took classes at UCLA, focusing on public policy and international law. When asked directly about school, Zellweger clarified, “I snuck into UCLA for a little while and did some public policy. International law. Interested in politics.”

Natalie Portman: Ivy League While Acting

Natalie Portman entered Harvard University in 1999 at just 18 years old, choosing academics alongside a rising acting career. She graduated in 2003 with a degree in psychology, balancing coursework with major film roles.

Portman later shared that her father encouraged her to think beyond Hollywood. “My dad pulled me aside when I was 25 and was like, ‘I think it’s time for you to go to law school or grad school,’” she recalled, emphasizing the importance of intellectual fulfillment.

Her college years coincided with her career. She graduated the same year she appeared in “Cold Mountain” alongside Nicole Kidman and Renée Zellweger.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen: Education Meets Entrepreneurship

After spending most of their childhood on screen, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen shifted their focus off camera. The twins graduated from Los Angeles’ Campbell Hall School in 2004 before enrolling at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study.

Their time at NYU was brief, as they chose to leave and pursue personal interests. In 2006, they launched their luxury fashion brand, The Row, transforming early fame into a successful business venture.

Jodie Foster: A Scholar from the Start

Jodie Foster’s career began almost as early as her education. She became a household name before kindergarten and had already appeared in dozens of projects by her teenage years, including “Taxi Driver,” which earned her an Oscar nomination at 14.

Despite her early success, Foster followed an academic path that matched her intellect. In 1980, she enrolled at Yale University and later earned a bachelor’s degree in literature, proving that even prodigies benefit from formal education.

Together, these stars show that learning is not limited by age, schedule, or fame. Their stories reveal that education remains a powerful form of self-investment, even for those who already seem to have it all.