An Intelligence Quotient (IQ) score is a widely used and respected measure of intelligence. It is the result of standardized testing and has been the subject of a great deal of study. While there is some debate over the scope of IQ testing, it’s generally accepted that those with a score of over 130 have exceptional intelligence. These individuals are so exceptional that organizations like Mensa International base their membership on achieving such high scores.
Interestingly, people with extraordinary IQ scores aren’t stereotypically bookworms. All sorts of folks demonstrate remarkable intelligence and this includes the rich and famous. Often, these stars are known more for their performance abilities than their intelligence. However, there are a great many celebrities with high IQs. Here are 20 famous individuals who have achieved remarkable scores.
1. James Franco (130)
Needless to say, this may be the most or least surprising entry on the list. James Franco is best known for his collaborations with Seth Rogen in stoner comedies. It seems that the majority of his roles have him playing a lovable doofus. In reality, this could not be further from the truth.
Franco has an IQ score of 130. Altogether, that’s no surprise seeing as he has a passion for education. He’s a graduate of numerous esteemed schools, such as UCLA and Columbia. In fact, he’s even taught a few courses. Franco is known for his eclectic interests, and he has even published a book of poetry.
2. Snoop Dogg (147)
As far as celebrities with high IQs go, this one is surprising. Snoop Dogg has an IQ of 147. This is considered extraordinarily high and practically the IQ of a gifted genius. Even though some people might be surprised by this, Snoop Dogg’s fans beg to differ. Paying attention to his music and lyrics will reveal how talented and smart he is. The wordplay he uses in his songs is truly a work of art. So one thing’s for sure, Snoop is a talented and gifted individual with a huge musical capacity.
3. Kate Beckinsale (152)
Kate Beckinsale is famous for her acting skills and interesting roles in romances and action movies. While her acting abilities are undeniable, she still does not get the credit she deserves for her intelligence. Just like most celebrities on this list, Beckinsale has attended a great educational institution.
When her movie career was just starting, she was studying at Oxford University. In addition to her studies, she’s also multilingual. Currently, she reportedly speaks English, French, Russian, and German. So, it’s no shocker that she has an impressive IQ score of 152.
4. Nicole Kidman (132)
Nicole Kidman is one of the most celebrated and respected artists on this list. She has had a long and successful career as an actress. Her intelligence extends far beyond her acting abilities, as she reportedly has an IQ of 132. Her mother was a nursing instructor, and her father was a biologist and clinical psychologist, so it’s clear where she got it.
5. Jodie Foster (132)
Jodie Foster has had an incredibly long and successful career. Her accomplishments as an actor are truly outstanding. However, this is one star who’s nearly as famous for her mind as she is for her performances. With an IQ of 132, Foster has achieved some truly amazing feats of intelligence. She graduated with honors from Yale, understands English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German, and learned to read at the age of 3.
6. Arnold Schwarzenegger (135)
Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s brilliance will likely come as a surprise to many people. He’s underestimated because of his career as an action star or the stereotype that people with massive muscles must be dimwitted. Schwarzenegger actually has an IQ score of 135. While he has spent the majority of his career flexing his muscles, the simple fact that he has a successful onscreen and political career is evidence enough.
7. Madonna (140)
One of the most iconic and enduring stars on this list, Madonna has been music royalty for many years. However, her entertainment prowess is not the only thing distinguishing her from ordinary people. She has an incredibly impressive IQ score of 140 as well. Her intelligence shone from a young age, as she was known for her exceptionally high grades. She even got a scholarship to study at the University of Michigan. But she chose to drop out to pursue a career in music.
8. Natalie Portman (140)
Natalie Portman is a remarkably successful and critically-acclaimed actress. The Oscar-winner has appeared in some powerful independent films as well as massive franchises. However, her acting abilities aren’t her most impressive trait. With an IQ of 140, Portman has an incredibly strong mind. She can reportedly speak 5 different languages, has a degree from Harvard, and has been published in peer-reviewed journals.
9. Shakira (140)
Although she’s known more for her hips and voice than her mind, Shakira is as intelligent as they come. She has an IQ score of 140. In fact, her success can be attributed to her sharp mind, as she writes her own songs. Additionally, she either has a fluent or partial understanding of seven different languages. Further, she has studied at UCLA and has actually established several schools.
10. Steve Martin (142)
Steve Martin is a legendary comedian and performer with an IQ of 142. However, making people laugh was not the only future he could have chosen. While studying at California State University, he fell in love with education and even considered becoming a professor. He eventually decided to pursue theater instead, majoring in the field before embarking on what would become an amazing career.
11. Nolan Gould (150)
Like several of the other actors on this list, Nolan Gould‘s roles aren’t an indication of his intelligence in real life. His portrayal of the lovable but dopey Luke Dunphy on Modern Family may have some believing that he is vapid offscreen. However, he actually has a remarkable IQ of 150. Not only did he study ten grades ahead of his age, he’s a member of Mensa.
12. Lisa Kudrow (152)
Of all the famous airheads on television, perhaps none are as beloved as Lisa Kurdow‘s Phoebe Buffay on Friends. In reality, Kudrow is a truly remarkable mind. She has a degree from Vassar College and even assisted her father with a research project.
13. Sharon Stone (154)
People cannot be faulted for assuming that a sex symbol like Sharon Stone isn’t a remarkable thinker. However, this award-winning star holds an astounding IQ score of 154. She was only 5 years old when she was in second grade. Further, she accepted a scholarship to Edinboro University when she was only 15. Luckily for her fans, however, she left school to pursue modeling.
14. Conan O’Brien (160)
Conan O’Brien is one of late-night television’s most popular hosts. He’s celebrated for his affable personality and sharp wit. While he has gained fans for his intelligent (albeit silly) humor, few know just how impressive the mind is beneath that famous hair. Conan’s brilliance was established while in high school. A short story that he authored won the National Council of Teachers of English writing contest. He would go on to become the valedictorian for his year. In addition, he graduated magna cum laude from Harvard.
15. Matt Damon (160)
Matt Damon is one of the biggest movie stars in the world today. He is most famous for his incredible action films. However, he has reached such heights more because of his mind than his muscle. In fact, he owes the success of his breakout role in Good Will Hunting to his intelligence. Damon actually wrote the script for an English class assignment. His IQ score stands at a highly impressive 160.
16. Dolph Lundgren (160)
The towering Swede, Dolph Lundgren, is another individual known for roles that do not reflect his character. Lundgren is an expert martial artist, and he has used these skills to become a highly successful action movie star. However, he is also one of the best-educated stars on this list. With an IQ of 160, it seems that Lundgren’s appetite for learning is insatiable. He has a degree in chemical engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology as well as a master’s from the University of Sydney in the same field. The star also bagged the rare Fulbright Scholarship to the prestigious MIT.
17. Ashton Kutcher (160)
Ashton Kutcher became famous as the goofy but charismatic Kelso on That ‘70s Show, but in reality, he could not be more different than this character. He actually has an astounding IQ score of 160, and he briefly attended the University of Iowa before deciding to drop out to pursue a career in entertainment. Kutcher now uses his powers for good. He established an organization known as Thorn that aims to fight against child pornography and sexual exploitation around the globe. His impassioned speeches about these problems show both his great character and impressive intelligence.
18. Quentin Tarantino (160)
The vast majority of the stars on this list have used their intelligence to pursue higher education. Tarantino is a notable exception to this rule; not only did he never attend college, but he also did not even graduate high school. Despite dropping out at age 15, he holds a staggeringly high IQ of 160. To achieve success in the film industry without having a formal education is impressive enough. But creating masterpieces like Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs based on personal study of movies is simply astounding
19. Mayim Bialik (163)
Mayim Bialik stands out on this list not only because her IQ is incredibly high. With some reports holding that it is as high as 163, she also because of the character she played on The Big Bang Theory. Unlike many of the actors on this list, her most notable role actually matches fairly well with her true intelligence. Bialik holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience. Although she earned her degree from UCLA, she could have attended some other prestigious institutions as well. She had offers to study at Harvard and Yale but chose UCLA for its location.
20. Lady Gaga (166)
It’s safe to say that Lady Gaga is talented, creative, and gifted. So it’s no surprise that she has an incredibly high IQ to prove it. Reportedly, Lady Gaga has an IQ of 166. Just like other celebrities on this list, she’s also very gifted and intelligent. Not just that, but her IQ number puts her in the top 0.1% of the population of world. Let’s just say, we’re eager to see what this pop culture goddess has installed for us in the future as we’re sure it’s going to be another piece of art.
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