The Most Famous High-school Dropout, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the high-school dropout you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 24, 2024 08:17

In a world where educational paths wildly differ, an intriguing narrative often revolves around those who deviate from traditional routes. The story of high-school dropouts who catapult into fame and success strikes a chord with many, showcasing that the road less traveled can also lead to remarkable destinations. These individuals ignite conversations about the myriad ways to achieve success, challenging conventional wisdom that equates academic completion with future prosperity. This space gives you the chance to engage with and recognize the achievements of these unique figures. By voting, you contribute to a collective understanding of how unconventional choices can yield widely celebrated results. This list not only celebrates individual perseverance but also serves as a source of inspiration for those who may wish to forge their own unique paths in the world.

Who Is the Most Famous High-school Dropout?

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32
votes
Kuhlmann /MSC · CC BY 3.0 de

Bill Gates

Bill Gates

Co-founder of Microsoft and one of the richest people in the world, dropped out of Harvard University in 1975 to pursue his passion for computers.
Bill Gates is an American business magnate, software developer, and philanthropist. He co-founded Microsoft Corporation, which is one of the world's largest and most successful technology companies. Gates is widely known for his role in revolutionizing the personal computer industry with the development of the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Co-founder(s): Paul Allen

Founded: April 4, 1975

Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States

Industry: Technology

Products: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Xbox, Azure, etc.
Bill Gates in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous person from Washington State
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Boy Scout
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular man
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous cyber-celebrity
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Scout
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous white person
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20
votes
MetalGearLiquid, based on File:Steve_Jobs_Headshot_2010-CROP.jpg made by Matt Yohe · CC BY-SA 3.0

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs

Co-founder of Apple Inc. and Pixar Animation Studios, dropped out of Reed College after just one semester.
Steve Jobs was a co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc., known for his remarkable contributions to the technology industry. He was widely regarded as a visionary and played a pivotal role in revolutionizing multiple industries with his innovative products and design sensibilities.

Co-founder: Co-founded Apple Inc. along with Steve Wozniak in 1976

Chairman: Served as chairman of Apple Inc.

CEO: Served as the CEO of Apple Inc. from 1997 to 2011

Visionary: Known for his forward-thinking ideas and revolutionary product concepts

Innovator: Played a crucial role in introducing groundbreaking products like the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook
Steve Jobs in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Steve
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous person from San Francisco
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Pisces person
- Position 4 of 10 in Most successful failures
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous father
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Arab American
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24
votes
Anthony Quintano from Westminster, United States · CC BY 2.0

Mark Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg

Co-founder and CEO of Facebook, dropped out of Harvard University during his sophomore year to focus on developing the social media platform.
Mark Zuckerberg is an American technology entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Facebook, the world's largest social networking platform.

Birthdate: May 14, 1984

Nationality: American

Education: Harvard University

Co-founded: Facebook in 2004

Position: CEO of Facebook
Mark Zuckerberg in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Millennial
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous color-blind person
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person from the Bay Area
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous CEO
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous introvert
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous INTJ
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15
votes
Carlos M. Vazquez II · CC BY 2.0

Lady Gaga

Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter, dropped out of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts to pursue her music career.
Lady Gaga's Carpool Karaoke is a segment from The Late Late Show with James Corden where the host, James Corden, invites famous musicians to join him in his car for a fun-filled karaoke session. Lady Gaga's Carpool Karaoke is one of the most popular and memorable episodes.

Episode Release Date: October 25, 2016

Duration: 15 minutes 12 seconds

Views on YouTube: 160 million+

Songs Performed: Bad Romance, Poker Face, Born This Way, Perfect Illusion, The Edge of Glory, And more

Viral Moments: Gaga taking over the driving seat, Gaga performing her elaborate dance moves in the car
Lady Gaga in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most beautiful Aries woman
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person born in March
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Millennial
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous performer in Las Vegas
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous person to have been kissed
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous fashion icon
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6
votes
Ian Smith from London, England · CC BY-SA 2.0

Jim Carrey

Actor and comedian, dropped out of high school to support his family by working as a janitor and a factory worker.
Jim Carrey in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Canadian actor
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Canadian native
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous poor person
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Capricorn celebrity
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Capricorn
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Wayans
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12
votes
Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 3.0

Quentin Tarantino

Film director, screenwriter, and producer, dropped out of high school at age 16 to pursue his passion for movies.
Quentin Tarantino in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous screenwriter
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous plagiarizer
- Position 9 of 10 in Most talented person alive
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10
votes
Chatham House · CC BY 2.0

Richard Branson

Founder of Virgin Group, dropped out of school at age 16 to start his first business venture, a magazine called Student.
Richard Branson in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Richard
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous person with Dyslexia
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous flight attendant
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous helicopter pilot
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Scout
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Shark on Shark Tank
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7
votes
Eminem

Grammy award-winning rapper, dropped out of high school after failing the ninth grade three times.
Eminem is the official Facebook page of Marshall Bruce Mathers III, professionally known as Eminem, an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. The page provides updates, news, and exclusive content related to Eminem's music career and personal life.

Total Likes: 91,890,864

Followers: 89,150,723

Page Category: Musician/Band

Genre: Hip Hop

Official Website: https://www.eminem.com/
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9
votes
Harald Krichel · CC BY-SA 3.0

Johnny Depp

Actor and producer, dropped out of high school to pursue a music career with his band, The Kids.
Johnny Depp in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Johnny
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous celebrity from Kentucky
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous INFP
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Bahamian
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous actor in America
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Disney actor
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4
votes
Alan Light · CC BY 2.0

Michael J. Fox

Actor and advocate for Parkinson's disease research, dropped out of high school at age 18 to focus on his acting career.
Michael J. Fox in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous person with Parkinson's Disease
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Canadian actor
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Canadian native
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular MJ

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Ranking factors for famous high-school dropout

Level of success achieved post-dropout

This could include career success, influence in their respective industries, and overall wealth.
Public influence and recognition

This could be measured by factors such as social media following, public speaking engagements, and overall media attention.
Personal accomplishments and contributions

This could include awards won, philanthropic work, and other notable achievements.
Cultural significance

This could be measured by the impact the individual has had on popular culture, including their influence on fashion, music, film, and other areas.
The reason for their dropout

The reason for dropping out of high school can also be a factor in their ranking, as some individuals may have faced significant obstacles that could make their success story more compelling.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous high-school dropout. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or dropout is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1580 views
137 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each dropout once every 24 hours. The rank of each dropout is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous high-school dropout

High school dropouts have been a topic of discussion for a long time. Some people believe that dropping out of high school is a huge mistake, while others think it is a necessary step for certain individuals to achieve success in their respective fields. Regardless of the arguments, it cannot be denied that many high school dropouts have achieved great success in their lives. From tech moguls like Steve Jobs to Hollywood stars like Jim Carrey, high school dropouts have made their mark in various industries. In this article, we will explore who is the most famous high school dropout and what makes them stand out from the rest.