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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois chapter.

In addition to some already incredible resumes, here are a few of our favorite starlets that took it to the next level off screen by attending college. Who knew we could actually have something in common with these actresses?

Troian Bellisario

Continuously impressing us in her role of Spencer Hastings on ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars,” Troian Bellisario never ceases to amaze. In addition to this hit show, the young actress wrote and starred in the short film, “Exiles,” is trained in aerial and graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting! Bellisario graduated in 2009 with honors and throughout her college career received numerous recognition such as awards from Phi Beta Kappa, the Jack Nicholson Acting Award and the James and Nony Doolittle Award from the School of Dramatic Arts. The proud alumna even delivered an inspiring commencement address to the USC School of Dramatic Arts graduating class of 2014.

Natalie Portman

We know and love Natalie Portman for her ability to be versatile in so many roles including “Garden State,” “V for Vendetta,” “No Strings Attached” and of course, “Black Swan.” It’s no secret this girl is smart, but did you know just how smart? In 2003, Portman graduated from Harvard with a B.A. in Psychology. Natalie once stated to the New York Post, “I don’t care if college ruins my career. I’d rather be smart than a movie star.” During her time at Harvard she coauthored a published study, “Frontal Lobe Activation during Object Performance: Data From Near-Infrared Spectroscopy”. After graduating Harvard, she attended graduate classes at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is fluent in Hebrew, Spanish, French, German and Japanese.

Emma Watson

Lately Emma Watson has wowed us with her speech on feminism showing the world just how smart she really is. This killer young woman is an accomplished actress, a U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador and a recent graduate of Brown University! Watson graduated from Brown University this past May with a bachelor’s degree in English literature. She was able to graduate in five years, while maintaining a strong acting career and also studied at Oxford University in England. While she was a student, she starred in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” “This is the End” and “Noah.”

Lisa Kudrow

Holding a spot forever in our hearts as the quirky and ditzy Phoebe Buffay in “Friends,” Lisa Kudrow is anything but ditzy in real life! Kudrow graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology in 1985. Aspiring to pursue a career in research and follow in the footsteps of her father, a world renowned headache specialist, she went to research with him after college. However, six months later she decided to become an actress and eventually was cast on Friends! Kudrow came back to Vassar College 25 years later to deliver an inspiring (and funny!) commencement address to the graduating class of 2010. 

 

Photo sources:

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A senior at the University of Illinois, Elizabeth spends half of her time in denial of her impending graduation and the other half acting as Editor-in-Chief/ President/Campus Correspondent for the site you're on now, Her Campus Illinois. Her favorite color is pink, which makes this position a match made in heaven. Still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up, her passions lie in writing, digital marketing, social media and fashion. Connect with her on Twitter and Instagram @champaigngirl. And if you prefer good, old fashioned email, reach her at elizabethdeuel@hercampus.com.