Far fewer people actually achieve celebrity status because of their work as professors and researchers (think: Stephen Hawking). So if you’re searching for fame and fortune, pursuing a career in academia might not be the wisest choice.
If the last few decades are any indication, however, the converse just might be true: it you’re searching for a career in academia, one clear path is to get very famous first. Consider the 11 celebrities on this list—talents from the worlds of entertainment, modeling, sports, and more—who have dedicated at least a fraction of their star-studded careers to playing the part of college professor.
Oprah Winfrey
Ever heard of her? The ultra powerful Winfrey was a professor at her hometown Chicago’s Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. She taught a course called Dynamics of Leadership with her partner, Steadman Graham.
Kevin Spacey
In 2008, Spacey was named the (incredibly wordy) Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at Oxford University in England. Having already spent time in Britain as artistic director for London’s Old Vic Theatre, "The Usual Suspects" star spent his year at Oxford conducting workshops, seminars, and lectures.
Alec Baldwin
No, he did not teach at Trump University. He did stick close to home, however, teaching an acting course at Southampton University on Long Island in the summer of 2002.
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