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.

Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong rose to fame for his portrayal of a doctor in Knocked Up, but prior to that, he had been building his career with recurring roles on shows like MADtv and brief appearances on The Office and Two and a Half Men. It was his role as the unpredictable Mr. Chow in The Hangover that truly catapulted him into success. However, Jeong’s talents extend beyond acting – he is also a licensed physician, having earned his M.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Known for his quick wit and sharp humor, it’s no surprise that Jeong’s reported IQ is rumored to be at least 130, with some speculating it may even be closer to 140 or higher.

Aisha Tyler

As a result of her impressive career, Aisha Tyler has accumulated an impressive resume. You may be familiar with her from Friends, 24, or even The Ghost Whisperer. If not, you might recognize her voice in Archer, an animated series by FX about secret agent Lana Kane. We didn’t know before today that a perfect woman existed, but now we do. She is not famous for the fact that her IQ is reportedly 156.

Emma Watson

They might use a spell like Reveilio intelligensa in Harry Potter to figure out Emma Watson’s IQ. Watson played the young wizard in the movies, and she really carried out those traits in real life. During the course of her studies at Brown University and Worcester College, Oxford, Watson earned a degree in English Literature. But we don’t need a magic spell to know she’s smart. Reports indicate she has an IQ around 138.

Rowan Atkinson

Known for playing one of the dumbest (and funniest) characters of all time, Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson rose to fame. While studying electrical engineering at Queen’s College, Oxford, Atkinson conceived the character. Even though Atkinson is a buffoon, he is said to be quite a genius, with an IQ of 178. If true, he’s one of the smartest celebrities in the world.

Nicole Kidman

We’re not surprised that Nicole Kidman has been reported to have an IQ of 138 over the years. She has been able to capture role after role in Hollywood for decades. Her dedication to her profession makes it easy to see why she’s such a respected and acclaimed actress, and it doesn’t look like she’ll be slowing down anytime soon.

Robin Williams

The world lost a bright, shining light when Robin Williams took his own life in 2014. With his unforgettable roles in Happy Days, Good Morning, Vietnam, The Fisher King, and Aladdin, he provided joy and entertainment to millions throughout the years. It was reported that his IQ was somewhere around 140, and he was a sensational stand-up comedian, award show host, and guest on late-night talk shows. The world misses that little bit of genius he brought to life.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

You probably don’t always think of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s roles when you think of smart movie characters. In 2004, he became Governor of California as a registered Republican. Would it surprise you that he has such a monumentally successful career with a high IQ of 135?

Sharon Stone

Despite her appearance, Sharon Stone isn’t exactly known for playing smart characters. Often cast in overtly sexual roles, such as in Basic Instinct, Sliver, and Casino, Stone proves that looks can be deceiving when it comes to what lies on the inside. Her IQ is reported to be 148, making her an Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actress.

Mayim Bialik

It has been reported that Bloom and The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik has an IQ of 150 and 163, but what isn’t in dispute is how bright she really is. The character in Big Bang Theory is really a neurobiologist, so entertainment is emulating reality here. Bialik earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA in 2007.

Ben Stein

Is Ben Stein really that smart? He has an IQ of 150, so it’s no surprise he used to write speeches for presidents, including Richard Nixon (though maybe that’s one you don’t include on your resume). As a political and economic commentator for Fox News, Stein has always been interested in politics. He graduated as Yale Law School valedictorian. He was also a poverty lawyer and a Federal Trade Commission trial lawyer.

Dolph Lundgren

Famed for his portrayal of strong and muscular individuals, Dolph Lundgren’s intellect may come as a surprise to many. With an impressive 160 IQ, he obtained a chemical engineering degree from the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and went on to earn a master’s degree in the same field from the University of Sydney. He was even offered a Fulbright scholarship to MIT in Boston, but instead chose to pursue an acting career. As it turns out, this decision proved successful for Lundgren.