Before the Oscars, movie sets, and red carpets, even Hollywood legends were just students trying to survive cafeteria food and questionable dorm décor. Unlocking vintage photos of public figures in college is like flipping through a yearbook full of future icons who had no idea what was coming.
There’s Meryl Streep, all poise and potential, already looking like she could out-act everyone in the drama club. Tommy Lee Jones, intense even in a letterman jacket, probably arguing with professors between football practices. And Robin Williams, wild-eyed, hilarious, and unmistakably himself, lighting up classrooms long before lighting up stages.
These snapshots are proof that even the most legendary stars once struggled with term papers, bad haircuts, and finding their place in the world. College might not have made them famous, but it sure helped shape the brilliance (and the quirks) that the world would later adore.
1
Jodie Foster, Yale University
Class of 1985. Graduated with a B.A. in Literature.
2
Bill and Hillary Clinton, Yale Law School
Early 1970s. Met while earning their J.D. degrees at Yale Law School.
3
Michael Jordan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Freshman year, 1982. Majored in Geography; starred on the Tar Heels basketball team.
4
Denzel Washington, Fordham University
Class of 1977. Earned a B.A. in Drama and Journalism.
5
Peter Dinklage, Bennington College
Late 1980s. Studied Drama and graduated in 1991.
6
Rowan Atkinson, The Queen’s College, Oxford
Around 1980. Completed an M.S. in Electrical Engineering while performing comedy sketches.
7
Pedro Pascal, New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
Class of 1997. Earned a BFA in Drama.
8
Magic Johnson & Greg Kelser, Michigan State University
Late 1970s. Teammates on the Spartans basketball team; Johnson majored in Communications.
9
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Santa Monica College
Circa 1979. Studied Business and Economics while pursuing bodybuilding and acting.
10
Robin Williams, Juilliard School
Mid-1970s. Studied Drama under John Houseman alongside classmate Christopher Reeve.
11
Meryl Streep, Yale School of Drama
Graduation, 1975. Earned an MFA in Drama.
12
Brooke Shields, Princeton University
Class of 1987. Graduated with a B.A. in French Literature.
13
Tommy Lee Jones, Harvard University
1968. Played on the varsity football team; majored in English Literature.
14
Brian May, Imperial College London
BSc 1968. Studied Physics; later completed his PhD in Astrophysics.
15
Bruce Springsteen, Ocean County College
Late 1960s. Briefly attended; pursued general studies before focusing on music.
16
Art Garfunkel, Columbia University
B.A. 1965, M.A. 1967. Studied Art History and Mathematics.
17
Chris Farley, Marquette University
Circa 1984. Studied Communications and Theater; played on the rugby team.
18
John Elway, Stanford University
Late 1970s–1982. Studied Economics while leading the Stanford Cardinal football team.
19
Tiger Woods, Stanford University
1994–1996. Majored in Economics before turning professional in golf.
20
Bill Bradley, Princeton University
Class of 1965. Graduated with a B.A. in History; Rhodes Scholar at Oxford thereafter.
