Celebs Who Were Kicked Out of School
School rules do not always get along with creative minds. Many well known names ran into trouble long before they were famous and some were told to leave the classroom entirely. These stories show what happened, where it happened, and what came next for each person.
You will see a mix of actors, musicians, presenters, and artists who were expelled for everything from cheating to protests. Each entry shares the school involved and what followed after they left so you can trace the path from a tough moment in youth to a career that people know today.
Keanu Reeves
Reeves was expelled from Etobicoke School of the Arts in Toronto after repeated disciplinary issues that included clashing with staff and a focus on acting over school routines. He later attended De La Salle College and Avondale and kept working in local theater and commercials while finishing his studies.
Soon after, Reeves moved into television and small film roles that led to international work. He later headlined films like ‘Speed’ and ‘The Matrix’ and built a career that also includes action training and production work.
Owen Wilson
Wilson was expelled from St. Mark’s School of Texas for cheating on a math test. After the expulsion he enrolled at New Mexico Military Institute where he completed high school level studies in a stricter setting.
He continued to study writing and film at the University of Texas at Austin where he met future collaborators. That path set up his early screenwriting with ‘Bottle Rocket’ and launched a long acting career.
Robert Pattinson
Pattinson was expelled from the Harrodian School in London after getting in trouble over a magazine resale scheme that violated school rules. He left formal schooling soon after and took on local work while pursuing acting classes and amateur theater.
He started modeling and picked up small roles that led to ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’. Global attention followed with ‘Twilight’ and he has since balanced franchise work with films like ‘The Lighthouse’ and ‘The Batman’.
Lily Allen
Allen attended many schools and was expelled more than once for rule breaking that included smoking and drinking on campus. She left classroom education in her mid teens and focused on writing lyrics and recording demos.
Online uploads brought early attention and a record deal followed. Her debut album reached the top of the charts and she later released books and hosted shows while continuing to tour.
Amy Winehouse
Winehouse was expelled from the Sylvia Young Theatre School after repeated violations of school policy that included wearing a nose stud and behavior issues in class. She transferred to the BRIT School for Performing Arts where she completed her studies while writing and performing.
A publishing deal and session work came next and then a record contract. Her albums drew critical acclaim and singles like ‘Rehab’ reached audiences worldwide and influenced many singers who followed.
Jeremy Clarkson
Clarkson was expelled from Repton School in Derbyshire for persistent disciplinary problems that included smoking and drinking. He left with no formal qualifications from the school and began working in the family business before moving into journalism.
Local newspaper work led to car reviews and then television. He became a presenter on ‘Top Gear’ and later fronted ‘The Grand Tour’ while also writing columns and publishing books on cars and travel.
Marlon Brando
Brando was expelled from Shattuck Military Academy for insubordination and rule breaking that included repeated demerits. He then moved to New York and studied acting with Stella Adler while working odd jobs.
Stage roles on Broadway brought strong notices and film offers followed. He became a leading figure in screen acting with performances in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and ‘The Godfather’.
Salvador DalÃ
Dalà was expelled from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid after refusing to sit final exams and for ongoing clashes with faculty. He left formal training and continued to paint while connecting with the Surrealist movement.
Exhibitions in Spain and Paris built his reputation and he later worked in film and design. His imagery and public persona shaped modern views of Surrealism and influenced generations of artists.
Cary Grant
Grant was expelled from Fairfield Grammar School in Bristol as a teenager after a serious rule violation that involved entering a restricted area of the school. He joined a traveling stage troupe soon after and learned acrobatics, mime, and stagecraft.
A tour to the United States led to steady work on stage and then film contracts. He became a major star in comedies and thrillers including ‘North by Northwest’ and ‘Charade’.
Eric Clapton
Clapton was expelled from Kingston College of Art after his first year due to poor progress and a focus on playing guitar rather than meeting course requirements. He left art school and joined bands on the local circuit while developing a distinct blues style.
He later played with the Yardbirds and John Mayall and then formed Cream. Solo albums and collaborations followed and he recorded enduring tracks like ‘Layla’ and ‘Tears in Heaven’.
Stephen Fry
Fry was expelled from a boarding school in his mid teens after repeated absences and rule breaking. He later attended City College Norwich and eventually sat entrance exams that led him to Cambridge where he studied English and joined the Footlights.
Work with fellow performers brought radio and television opportunities. He co created and starred in shows like ‘A Bit of Fry and Laurie’ and appeared in films such as ‘Wilde’ while also writing novels and nonfiction.
Samuel L. Jackson
Jackson was expelled from Morehouse College in 1969 following a campus protest in which trustees were held in a building during a sit in. After time away he was allowed to return and completed his degree before moving fully into theater.
He worked on stage in New York and began to appear in films and television. Roles in ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘Jackie Brown’ brought wide recognition and he later joined major series like ‘Star Wars’ and ‘The Avengers’.
Edgar Allan Poe
Poe was expelled from the United States Military Academy at West Point after deliberately missing classes and inspections to trigger a court martial. He then moved to writing full time and began publishing poetry and short stories.
He worked as an editor and critic while placing tales in magazines that paid by the page. Stories like ‘The Tell Tale Heart’ and ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ set patterns for modern horror and detective fiction.
Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi was expelled from Shaker Heights High School in Ohio after a confrontation in which he threatened a school administrator. He later earned a GED and enrolled in community college before focusing on music.
Mixtapes and early collaborations gained attention and led to a record deal. His debut single ‘Day N Nite’ reached a wide audience and he has since released albums, acted in films, and worked on projects like ‘Kids See Ghosts’.
Kiefer Sutherland
Sutherland was expelled from several Canadian private schools including St. Andrew’s College due to repeated discipline issues. He left classroom education and moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting in his teens.
Early roles in films like ‘The Lost Boys’ led to steady work. He later starred in the series ’24’ and continued with film and television projects while also recording country music.
Share the names we missed in the comments and tell us where their school story took a sharp turn.