Celebrities With Surprisingly High IQs

Matt Damon

Matt Damon is known for portraying intelligent characters, but his real-life intelligence has also been a topic of discussion. According to interviews, he boasts an IQ of 160, which has led some to believe that his famous role in Good Will Hunting hits closer to home than originally thought. Since his breakout performance in 1998’s Good Will Hunting, which he co-wrote with Ben Affleck, Damon’s career has flourished with three more Academy Award nominations and a Golden Globe win for Best Actor in The Martian.

Goldie Hawn

Because of the “goofy” and “dimwitted” characters that she’s played in the past, it’s easy for people to think that Goldie Hawn is just as aloof in real life. So you might be surprised to learn that she has a very high IQ of 130! Hawn is smarter than people give her credit for. She has won an Academy Award, another Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe and an 8 Globe nominations over the course of her long career.

Nolan Gould

One of the most popular sitcoms in the last 20 years is Modern Family, starring Nolan Gould. In addition to winning Emmy after Emmy with his cast mates, Gould actually has an IQ of 150. We would have ventured to believe it would take a pretty smart kid to memorize all those hilarious lines. His career seems to be just beginning, so we shouldn’t be surprised to see him around for a long time to come.

James Franco

It’s reported that James Franco has an IQ of 130, well above the average in the United States (which is 98). That’s probably why he studied for so many different degrees at the same time. He won two Golden Globes in 2001 and 2018 for The Disaster Artist. He was also nominated for Best Actor in 2011 for 127 Hours.

Cindy Crawford

Aside from her long legs, gorgeous wavy hair, and memorable birthmark near her lip, Cindy Crawford is famous for being one of the most attractive women on our planet. She has an IQ of 154, which makes her an incredibly smart woman. Who says you have to choose between “brains” or “beauty”? Some people have both!

Alicia Keys

As with Cindy Crawford and other people on this list, musician Alicia Keys has an IQ of 154. People will sing along to Alicia Keys for decades to come, as she consistently breaks new ground in composition and lyrics. Her intelligence may seem obvious to her biggest fans, as she regularly breaks new ground in composition and lyrics.

Conan O’Brien

Despite his comedic persona on his late-night talk show, Conan O’Brien is actually a highly intelligent individual with an IQ of 160. He studied at Harvard University and was a contributor to the prestigious humor magazine, the Harvard Lampoon. O’Brien’s talent for comedy extends beyond his own show, as he has made significant contributions to Saturday Night Live from 1987 to 1991 and is hailed by fans for his writing on The Simpsons, which are often considered some of the show’s best episodes.

Steve Martin

Renowned for his clever and humorous wit, it may come as a surprise to learn just how intelligent comedian Steve Martin truly is. With an astounding IQ of 142, this talented entertainer attended California State University, Long Beach as a philosophy major. From writing screenplays and novels to composing film soundtracks and releasing records (he’s known for playing the banjo), Martin’s diverse talents have garnered numerous nominations throughout his four decades in show business. It’s no stretch of the imagination to envision a person with such a sharp mind operating at an incredibly high level.

Ashton Kutcher

It’s no secret Ashton Kutcher gets a lot of criticism for playing dumb characters. In reality, he’s anything but dumb. According to Kutcher, he has an incredible 160 IQ when he’s not in front of or behind the camera. When Kutcher isn’t in front of or behind the camera, he’s a venture capitalist. The investment includes Skype, Foursquare, Airbnb, among other high-tech companies.

Bill Gates

If Bill Gates is any indication of what it takes to become one of the wealthiest people on the planet, then you need an IQ of around 160. That’s exactly where this tech genius comes in. While Gates is known as the founder of Microsoft, his philanthropic causes with his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have drawn more attention in recent years.

Claire Danes

Throughout her extensive career, Claire Danes has graced the screens of numerous films and television shows. She was first introduced to the industry as a young girl and at the age of 13, she landed her breakout role in an episode of Law & Order. Just two years later, she captured hearts as a teen icon in My So-Called Life. With a reported IQ of 140, it’s evident that Danes brought depth and emotion to her performances. And her success didn’t halt there; for years, she has topped critics’ lists with her incredible portrayal of bipolar CIA officer Carrie Mathison on Homeland.

Ke$ha

Apparently, Ke$ha has a 140 IQ, so she is above average. Maybe the dollar sign in her name stands for some brilliant hidden message that we have yet to realize. After legal disputes with her former producer, the singer stepped back from the spotlight, but she has since resumed releasing new music. There have been numerous awards and nominations for her, including Grammys, American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.

Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino is renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of film. Keeping track of obscure movie trivia is probably not that hard to do when you’ve got an IQ of 160. With his intricate characters and storytelling, Tarantino continues to amaze audiences with his films. He has vowed to step down from the director’s chair soon, but we’re not sure a mind like his can remain silent for long.

David Duchovny

Many people don’t realize that David Duchovny has a lot more in common with his famous X-Files character, Fox Mulder. They both have genius-level IQs, with Duchovny coming in at 147! The X-Files remains beloved by fans, and Duchovny continues to appear in highly regarded projects like Califonication and the 2018 Twin Peaks sequel.

Natalie Portman

Besides her impressive acting skills, Natalie Portman possesses an IQ of 140. This likely aided in her acceptance to Harvard University, from which she obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Addressing concerns about balancing her education and career, Portman confidently stated, “I prioritize intelligence over fame.” And let’s not forget, she managed to complete her studies while filming the Star Wars prequels. It takes a combination of intellect and determination to accomplish such feats at a young age.

Madonna

It is reported that Madonna’s IQ is 140. Are you really surprised? For more than three decades, the singer has dominated the charts at various times. She always comes back with a new single or album that wins critical praise just when you thought she was done. For her work in feature films, particularly the Golden Globe and Oscar-winning Evita, she has even won acclaim and awards.

Lisa Kudrow

Compared to her famous character Phoebe Buffay on Friends, Lisa Kudrow couldn’t be more different. Kudrow is probably the smartest of the cast in real life, even though her blonde character has many “blonde moments” throughout the show. When is she going to be cast as a rocket scientist? According to reports, she has a 160-point IQ.

Meryl Streep

It is likely that Meryl Streep is the most celebrated actress in film history. As of 2019, she has won 172 acting awards and received 356 nominations. Her IQ is almost as high as the astounding number of awards she has won: 143. There’s really nothing that Streep isn’t amazing at, and we’re hoping that never changes.