Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and Other Celebrities Who Succeeded Without a High School Diploma
Many famous actors found success despite not completing high school. Jeremy Allen White, star of The Bear, recently shared a heartfelt moment involving an old teacher at the New York City premiere of his new film Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.
“I wasn’t a good student because I didn’t go to school enough,” White said on the October 23 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, referring to his time at the Professional Performing Arts School in NYC, where he never graduated.
After the film screening, his teacher gave him a gift that took him by surprise.
“And I was like, ‘Ah, you don’t have to do this, this is crazy, what are you giving me a gift for?’ And I open it up, and it is my high school diploma. So… at 34 years old, I graduated high school!”
Nicole Kidman, who has won two Oscars, also shared her feelings about leaving school early.
“I’m a high school dropout, which I’m not proud to say,” she revealed on 60 Minutes. “I had some teachers that I still think of fondly and were amazing to me.”
By age 15, Kidman was resolute about pursuing acting and moved to Los Angeles to follow her dream.
Highlights
- Jeremy Allen White graduated high school at 34, thanks to the encouragement of a former teacher.
- Nicole Kidman regrets dropping out but credits inspiring teachers during her early education.
- Both demonstrate that lack of a traditional diploma did not hinder their professional achievements.
Summary: These stories show that unconventional educational paths don’t prevent success, as determination and support can lead to fulfilling careers without a traditional high school diploma.