It’s common for people to perceive stars as being less intelligent than the rest of the population because of a misconception about what they do.
The truth is that intelligence can help you get ahead in Hollywood or in the music industry, and a surprising number of stars have relatively high IQs.
To prove it to you, we’ve gone ahead and created this guide.
We’re going to take a look at some of the smartest famous people in the world. We’ll go over their IQ scores, a brief summation of what they’ve done in their careers, as well as some of the most interesting facts about their intellect.
Madonna
Many Madonna fans have likely already heard a fun fact about how the Queen of Pop has a genius-level intellect. With an IQ of 140, she is one of the most intelligent musicians in the world, which comes as no surprise when you consider how long she has been able to keep making chart-topping music
Making a single successful album is enough of a challenge, but Madonna has been doing it for most of her life. With record sales in excess of 300 million, she is one of the most successful artists of all time, as well as one of the most iconic to ever grace a stage.
Conan O’Brien
Seeing his late night shows, it’s pretty easy to assume that Conan O’Brien is one of the wittiest people to ever grace the Earth, but did you know that he’s also one of the most intelligent? O’Brien has an IQ of 160, which essentially tops the charts and puts him in a league of his own when it comes to intelligence.
Long before becoming a TV star, Conan was an attendee of Harvard University, at which he ended up becoming the Harvard Lampoon’s president. One of the interesting things about Conan is that he’s not the only comedian with a genius-level intellect, with the profession having quite a high number of geniuses among its ranks.
Sharon Stone
This one might surprise you when you consider Sharon Stone’s status as a sex symbol courtesy of her role in Basic Instinct. Turning the tired old cliche of the dumb blonde on its head, Sharon Stone has a jaw-dropping IQ of 148, putting her up there with some of the smartest actors in history.
Before becoming an actress, Stone started her career as a model, which comes as no surprise to many of her fans, considering her good looks. She eventually pursued acting by being an extra in the Woody Allen film Stardust Memories.
When considering the results of IQ research, it's vital to remember that poverty can impact measured IQ. For example, if a child grows up with inadequate nutrition, their IQ might be stunted. It doesn't necessarily mean that they were born less intelligent. Instead, it could mean that their circumstances presented severe limitations.
James Woods
Whether you know him from his movies or from his hilarious cameo appearances in Family Guy, James Woods is a beloved actor and also a genius. Some of his top roles include, Contact, Casino, and Promise, for which he won a Golden Globe Award.
Along with Woods’ work in live action films, he has also featured in several voice acting roles, such as in Stuart Little 2, Kingdom Hearts, and even Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Woods has an IQ of 184, which makes him one of the highest-scoring individuals on this list.
Kesha
This is another one of the more common names that comes up in lists like these, but it can come as quite a shock when you consider the music that brought Kesha to prominence. No one ever associates early 2010’s pop music with genius, but Kesha is one of the most brilliant performers of her generation.
Kesha got into the music industry at the age of 18, though she has recently stepped away from it due to a dispute that she had with Dr. Luke. Despite how brief her career was, Kesha was able to sell over 76 million records. With an IQ of 140, Kesha is a certified genius.
James Franco
Known for starring in countless comedy movies over the course of his career, James Franco is an icon, though he does have a questionable history of creepy Instagram messages. What few people know about James Franco is that he is also a director and a teacher of filmmaking, and has worked at several top schools.
Some of his most notable accomplishments include winning two Golden Globes as well as the fact that he worked on four different degrees at the same time. Despite his incredible IQ of 130, Franco also has an easy, laid-back demeanor that isn’t typically associated with being highly intelligent
Emma Watson
First rising to prominence as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter, Emma Watson proved that childhood stars can grow into excellent adult actors, as well. One of the interesting things about her being cast in the role of the intelligent girl of the group is that she’s also intelligent in real life.
Emma Watson has an IQ score of 138, making her likely one of the smartest people on set while the Harry Potter movies were being filmed.
Ken Jeong
You’ve likely already heard stories about how Ken Jeong is a medical doctor as well as a brilliant actor, but did you know that he’s also a genius? From his appearances in The Hangover, you may not necessarily assume that this actor is as smart as he is, but he’s truly one of the most brilliant minds of his generation
Jeong has an IQ score of 130, and he ended up quitting his job as a doctor to pursue his passion for acting.
Shakira
The worldwide pop sensation herself joins this list of the most intelligent celebrities. Shakira is known for her hit single Hips Don’t Lie as well as recording the theme song for the 2010 South African World Cup. However, Shakira is also incredibly intelligent, with an IQ score of 140.
Matt Damon
Known best for his roles in the Jason Bourne movies, Matt Damon is a masterclass actor but also one of the smartest people on this list with an IQ of 160. He is also well-known for his philanthropic endeavors as well as his support for social issues.