High School Dropouts: Celebs Who Didn't Receive Their Diplomas
These stars became successes even without an education.
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No Degree, No Problem - Reading is fundamental, but a high school diploma isn't a requirement for success in the entertainment business. Here's a rundown of stars who never put on a cap and gown — and did just fine. (Photos from left: Theo Wargo/Getty Images, Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, Sonia Recchia/Getty Images, Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Thurgood Marshall College Fund)
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Kylie Jenner - The youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner girls has been famous since she was a grade schooler, and is rumored to be dropping out of high school. The home-schooled reality star denies the claims, but judging from her hefty schedule of appearances and filming for her show, it seems unlikely she has much time left to hit the books. No worries, Kylie! Even if you do decide to skip your last few months of high school, you're in good company. (Photo: Sonia Recchia/Getty Images)
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Bill Cosby - Despite his reputation for being an education advocate, Cosby never actually finished high school. He left school early to get a job and ultimately joined the Navy. He later completed his GED and even got a degree from Temple University. (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Thurgood Marshall College Fund)
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Whoopi Goldberg - The View host doesn't have a high school diploma under her belt, but she does have an Emmy, a Tony, a Grammy and an Oscar. Not to mention a multi-million dollar television contract. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
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Eminem - The gifted rapper attended Lincoln High School in Warren, Michigan, where he failed the ninth grade three times and eventually dropped out at the age of 17. Despite being a poor student, Eminem showed an interest in language, devouring comic books and even studying the dictionary. "I found that no matter how bad I was at school, like, and no matter how low my grades might have been at some times, I always was good at English ... I just felt like I wanna be able to have all of these words at my disposal, in my vocabulary at all times whenever I need to pull 'em out." (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
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Lil Wayne - Weezy was said to be a gifted student with an extremely high IQ, but the New Orleans native left school at age 14 to record an album with the Hot Boys. Who knows? If he would have stayed in school, Lil Wayne could have instead been Dr. Dwayne Carter. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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Drake - Ironically, Drake — then known as Aubrey Graham — ditched out on his own high school to play a high school student on Degrassi: The Next Generation. We think he did alright, though. (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
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Damon Wayans - Damon was attending Murry Bergtraum High School in New York City when he made the decision to drop out in his freshman year and follow his older brother, Keenen Ivory Wayans, to Los Angeles. Damon would later become the breakout star on his brother's hit sketch-comedy series In Living Color. (Photo: Mike Pont/Getty Images for AWXI)
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Rihanna - RiRi left Barbados — and high school — at age 16 with a record deal from Def Jam instead of a diploma. Now the Bajan beauty is a worldwide superstar with music, fashion and acting accolades. (Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
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Chris Rock - The comedy legend has spoken frequently about the crazy bullying and beatings he endured at his all-white high school in Brooklyn. He dropped out for safety's sake. We'll never know what those bullies amounted to in life, but they all know where Rock ended up. (Photo: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)
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