What 16 Famous Stars Would Do if They Built Their Careers Based on What Their Diplomas Say

After finishing school, it can be hard for many of us to choose our future profession. Even popular stars didn’t know they would be actors or singers. This is why some of them have law degrees, some of them are doctors and economists. And maybe, the world would never hear the names of Eva Longoria or Dwayne Johnson, if they decided to take the career path they were going to take.

We at CHEERY found out what some celebrities would do now, if they hadn’t decided to build a show-business career.

Eva Longoria

Before she became an actress, Eva Longoria earned her Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Lionel Richie

In 1967, Lionel Richie decided to study economics and accounting at the Tuskegee Institute. And now, he’s a Grammy winner and is believed to be one of the most successful singers and songwriters of the 20th century.

Emeli Sande

Before she became one of the most famous young songwriters and singer in Great Britain, Emeli Sande studied medicine at the University of Glasgow but left after obtaining a degree in clinical medicine, specialising in neuroscience. She has stated that education was important to her, because, if her music career failed, she would have something to fall back on.

Wanda Sykes

Comedian Wanda Sykes earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing, graduating from Hampton University.

Hugh Laurie

Before becoming the star of House M. D., Hugh Laurie studied archaeology and anthropology, specializing in social anthropology, and graduated with third-class honors in 1981.

Ray Romano

Before becoming a successful comedian and the star of successful sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, Ray considered becoming an accountant and briefly attended Queens College, in Flushing, New York. But he liked numbers, he realized this job was not for him.

Gabrielle Union

Gabriele Union is popular on the big screen and social media. But there was a chance she would take a completely different career path. She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UCLA.

Rooney Mara

Before she became a famous actress, Rooney Mara studied psychology, international social policy and nonprofits at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study.

Dwayne Johnson

In 1995, Dwayne Johnson graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of General Studies and a dual major in criminology and physiology. He even said he wanted to work for the CIA, but when he found out he needed a law degree for that, he decided not to do it.

Brian May

Aside from being a guitarist of Queen, Brian May was awarded a PhD degree in astrophysics from Imperial College London. After graduation, May received a personal invitation from Sir Bernard Lovell to work at the Jodrell Bank Observatory while continuing to prepare his doctorate. But he declined the invitation because he didn’t want to be separated from his London band Smile.

Dolph Lundgren

Before Dolph Lundgren became Ivan Drago and did more than 80 movies, he enrolled for the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and graduated with a degree in chemical engineering.

Gal Gadot

After her military service, Gal Gadot studied law at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She never wanted to be an actress, and if things had gone the way she planned, she would have become a lawyer.

Chris Martin

Maybe, there was a reason why in Something Just Like This, there is a mention of Achilles and Hercules. The Coldplay frontman Chris Martin studied at University College London, where he graduated with first-class honors in Greek and Latin.

Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields was already a famous model and actress when she entered Princeton University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in French literature. She graduated in 1987.

James May

James May, also known as Captain Slow, thanks to Top Gear, studied music at Pendle College, Lancaster University, where he learned to play the flute and piano. And 25 years later, he got a Doctor of Letters degree.

Sacha Baron Cohen

Before his comedy movie career, Sacha Baron Cohen studied History at Christ’s College, Cambridge, graduating in 1993 with upper-second-class honors.

Do you do what you studied to do, or did you choose a different path?