Stars Who Dropped Out of High School

After his parents divorce, Robert Downey Jr. left Santa Monica High School to pursue acting in New York City. He was about 15.

Paris Hilton was expelled for violating multiple rules at a Connecticut high school, moving on to an exclusive NYC high school, which she eventually left not long after. She was about 17.

Robert De Niro landed the iconic role of a young Vito Corleone in "The Godfather II," which gave him license to finally ditch high school and pursue acting. He was only 16.

Nicole Kidman officially left high school after being cast for a role in "Dead Calm." She was just 16.

Kelly Osbourne said she left high school two years early after being made fun for her weight. She was about 15.

Nicolas Cage said "ciao" to the hallways of Beverly Hills High School early to pursue his acting dreams. He was 17.

Kurt Cobain withdrew from high school just two weeks before graduation after he realized he didn't earn enough credits to walk anyway. He was about 17.

John Travolta dropped out of high school to act and was ironically cast in "Welcome Back, Kotter" as a high school student. He was 16.

Drew Barrymore found so much success so young, school wasn't really a priority. When she finally left school she was about 16.

Jim Carrey had no choice but to leave high school to help support his family. He found work as a security guard and janitor before finally pursuing comedy. He was 16.

Oscar winner Hilary Swank dropped out of high school after scoring the lead role in "The Next Karate Kid." She was 16.

Mark Wahlberg dropped out of school and began flirting with drugs and alcohol. After getting clean, he returned to finish his education. He was about 13.

Lindsay Lohan left a real high school when she was cast in the make-believe one depicted in "Mean Girls." She was 16.

Tom Cruise left school to pursue his acting dreams in New York City. He was 18.

Jessica Simpson dropped out of JJ Pearce High School after being signed to Columbia Records. She later earned her GED. She was 16.

ohnny Depp originally dropped out of high school to pursue his ambitions of being a rock star. That didn't work out, but we have a feeling he's doing just fine. He was 15.

Gisele Bundchen left school to begin her modeling career after being discovered by a talent scout. She was 14.

Katy Perry gave up on her studies at Santa Barbara Don Pueblos High School to realize her "Teenage Dream" of super stardom. She was 15.

Kristen Stewart said she had serious academic ambitions but opted for homeschooling instead. She was 13.

Ryan Gosling found childhood success with the Mickey Mouse Club. But after it was cancelled, he returned to his native Canada and attended high school. His Canadian hiatus didn't last long, however, he quickly decided to leave for L.A. to pursue his acting dreams again. He was 17.