Celebrities You Didn't Know Were High School Dropouts

Phil Collins is best known for his work with the popular rock band Genesis. Having sold more than 150 million copies worldwide, he is one of the best-selling music artists in the world. Phil is one of three recording artists who have sold more than 100 million records both as principal members of a band and as solo artists.

Keith Richards is a musician and songwriter. He is credited with co-founding one of the most popular rock bands ever, The Rolling Stones. Also a guitarist, he was ranked fourth on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 best guitarists list in 2011. Richards' look and characterization inspired the character of Captain Teague who appears in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.

As a 16-year-old girl who loved surfing and sunbathing more than attending school, Bo Derek did not think twice before starting a sexual relationship with John Derek, 30 years her senior. She eventually starred in the comedy film, 10, and established herself as an actress. An animal welfare spokesperson and horse lover, Bo Derek continues to serve as an activist.

British fashion designer, Dame Vivienne Westwood, is credited for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream. She attended a course on jewelry at the University of Westminster but left before graduating. She worked as a teacher for a while before turning to fashion designing. She eventually opened four boutiques in London.

Judd Nelson is an American actor known for playing important roles in popular films, such as The Breakfast Club, New Jack City, and St. Elmo's Fire. Although he left Haverford College during his sophomore year, he did not give up on acting, which he studied under Stella Adler. Also an author, Nelson has written four books, including The Power of Speech.

Jack Albertson was an eminent American actor having presence in films and plays alike, as evident from his successful performances in The Subject Was Roses both on the stage and on the big screen. The winner of Tony, Oscar and Emmy awards had such a passion for his career that he continued his acting despite being diagnosed for colorectal cancer.

Rock, country, and folk singer-songwriter, Steve Earle, developed an early interest in music and started his career when he was a teenager. Rebellious as a young man, he went through his share of struggles before he was able to establish himself successfully as a singer. Also a political activist, he is a vocal opponent of capital punishment. 

Legendary Kannada actor and singer Dr. Rajkumar had gained titles such as Nata Saarvabhouma and Gaana Gandharva from his fans. He was a major force behind the Gokak agitation for Kannada language. He had also been awarded with the Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

German singer/songwriter Gabriele Susanne Kerner, better known as Nena, soared to international fame with the hit 99 Luftballons. Known for her energetic performances, Nena is also a mother of four and has co-founded the Neue Schule Hamburg school, based on the American Sudbury model of education.

English singer Shaun Ryder, best known for his association with Happy Mondays and Black Grape, once confessed to learning the alphabet at age 26. While he suffered from ADHD and alopecia, he was also a heroin addict for over two decades and eventually overcame his addiction through cycling.

Jacque Fresco was an American futurist who lectured and wrote his views on various subjects, such as energy efficiency, sustainable cities, cybernetic technology, natural-resource management, and automation. His life and career inspired the 2006 semi-biographical film Future by Design. In 2016, Jacque Fresco was honored with a Novus Summit award for his work.

John Williamson is an Australian folk and country music singer-songwriter. A multi-talented individual, JOHN Williamson is also known for his skills as a multi-instrumentalist, conservationist, and television host. One of the most respected musicians in Australia, Williamson has released more than 50 albums and has won several awards. In 2010, he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Raymond John Leppan, better known by his ring name, Adam Rose, is a retired South African wrestler. He once described himself as the “life of the party” and has also represented NXT and WWE. He was also part of an E:60 documentary titled Behind the Curtain.

Charlotte Dawson was a New Zealand–Australian TV personality best remembered for her work as the host of popular TV shows, such as Getaway and The Contender Australia. A former model and fashion advocate, Dawson also appeared as a judge on the reality television series, Australia's Next Top Model. Her death by suicide in 2014 made headlines in Australia.

Jim Bolger is a New Zealand retired politician best known for serving as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2 November 1990 to 8 December 1997. He led the National Party to victory in 1990. An influential politician, Jim Bolger also served as the Minister of Fisheries, Minister of Immigration, and Minister of Labour.

Jack Webster was a journalist and television and radio personality. Nicknamed the king of the Vancouver airwaves, Webster was an influential journalist from the 1950s until his retirement in 1988. Webster's work inspired the establishment of the Jack Webster Foundation which gives away the prestigious Jack Webster Award every year to honor and promote excellence in journalism.