Famous Individuals Who Left High School Early
Dec. 7, 2025, Published 12:05 p.m. ET
Al Pacino
Al Pacino, acclaimed actor, attended the High School of the Performing Arts but left after 10th grade to pursue acting. He told The Washington Post in 2016, “I wasn’t focused on my classes. My mother had problems, and there was no money coming in.”
Avril Lavigne
After securing her first record deal, Avril Lavigne moved from Canada to New York, leaving high school behind. She shared on Private Sessions that she did not complete her homeschooling, saying, “I’m a high school dropout.”
Gisele Bündchen
Gisele Bündchen, now a mother of three, left school to pursue a successful modeling career.
Hailey Bieber
Hailey Bieber admitted in a Wall Street Journal interview that she did not finish high school because she “got lazy” during her senior year. Despite this, she expressed pride in her accomplishments.
Harry Styles
Harry Styles auditioned for The X Factor UK in 2010, leaving formal education behind to pursue music.
Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank left high school at 16. She shared on Today that she regrets not finishing, emphasizing the importance of education.
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence, now a mother of two, left school to focus on her acting career.
Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain revealed in 2015 that she did not graduate due to too many absences. She shared this with Entertainment Weekly.
John Travolta
John Travolta left school at 16 to pursue acting. He told The Phoenix in 1978 that his peers did not understand his dedication to acting.
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp initially pursued music before shifting to acting, leaving school to follow his dreams.
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet worked in a deli as a teenager before her acting career took off.
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves attended multiple high schools but left due to conflicts and not fitting in. He shared his experiences with Daily Mail in 2008.
Rihanna
Rihanna left Barbados to pursue her music career in America, eventually becoming a billionaire.
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. left school at 16 to focus on acting, which led to a successful career in Hollywood.
Seth Rogen
Seth Rogen left high school to work on Freaks and Geeks. He told CNN in 2013 that he worked harder than most students, focusing on his career.
