Unknown – Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton is one of those rare actresses that come around every once in a blue moon. Her unique facial features and overall look, as well as her astounding acting skills, have made her a worldwide acting icon. She started out in the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1984 and landed her first Hollywood role in “The Deep End,” for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe.
She’s landed roles in many groundbreaking cinematic masterpieces, including several of the Coen Brother’s films, “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “We Need to Talk About Kevin.” But what’s also impressive is this English lady’s mind; she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge, no less!
150 - Jerry Springer
Jerry Springer became a national sensation when "The Jerry Springer Show" hit screens nationwide. The show ran from 1991 to 2018 and is regarded as one of the highest-grossing shows in TV history in the US. What will come as a surprise to many, is that this tabloid-like, sensationalist show's host is actually incredibly smart.
Before he became a famous TV personality, Springer graduated with a law degree from the prestigious Northwestern University, and actually worked as a campaign adviser for Robert Kennedy in 1968! He even tried his luck in politics, becoming the mayor of Cincinnati in 1977.
153 - Colin Firth
This British actor has made a name for himself on the big screen. Colin Firth graduated with honors from Barton Peveril College in the U.K., where he fell in love with English literature. In fact, Firth was considered one of the smartest in his class, since his incredible memory allowed him to quote novels by Thomas Hardy and Lord Byron by heart!
You might know him for his award-winning performance in "The King's Speech," but what you probably don't know is that he commissioned scientists to scan politicians' brains and find out if there were any particular traits to them depending on their political affiliations. How cool is that? Firth was credited as a co-author of an academic paper on human brain research.
134 - Edward Norton
Norton is not only considered one of the best actors of the 21st century, but he is also incredibly smart. The three-time Academy Award-nominated actor graduated with a Bachelor's degree in history from Yale University. After an injury, he started to get interested in theater, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Norton moved to Japan shortly after graduating, where he learned Aikido and became fluent in Japanese! This genius has proved himself to be a consistently first-rate actor who impressed audiences and critics alike. He has graced our screens in masterpieces like "Primal Fear," "American History X," "Birdman," "Fight Club," and several of Wes Anderson's films.
Unknown - Lupita Nyong'o
Born in Mexico, Lupita started her career in the early 2000s, as part of the production crew for many major films. She went on to make her debut as an actress in the short film, "East River." In 2009, she wrote, directed, and produced her own documentary about the albino population in Kenya. Shortly after, she enrolled in the Yale School of Drama and graduated with a Master of Fine Arts.
Lupita got her big-screen breakthrough shortly after graduating when she was cast in Steve McQueen’s "12 Years a Slave." She even won an Academy Award for her performance. Nyong'o went on to star in award-winning films after that, including two "Star Wars" movies, "Black Panther," "Us," and more. She’s talented, AND a genius!