School definitely wasn’t what anyone would call a smooth and breezy ride for these 15 celebrities. Long before these celebrities had made their mark on that ever-desirable societal status of being famous (well, desirable for some), they were seemingly compelled by forces unknown to test all those rules and outer boundaries.
If there’s one thing that these stories can also prove, though, it’s that expulsion isn’t actually the end-all and be-all if it shakes out that way. Some people are full of remarkable surprises and end up bouncing back in unprecedented ways.
1. Robert Downey Jr.
Oh boy, this one isn’t necessarily surprising, as Robert Downey Jr. was at one time one of Hollywood’s most notorious bad boys. He would get expelled for repeatedly skipping class, as well as causing general mayhem around the school’s premises.
2. Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg was kicked out of high school for fighting on numerous instances and just pulling many rebellious stunts. It was certainly a time long before he mellowed out.
3. Ryan Gosling
This one’s just wild. Legend has it that Ryan Gosling was kicked out of school for throwing knives in class. Apparently, he was just deep into his First Blood/Rambo phase.
4. Adele
Adele was kicked out of the infamous BRIT school for skipping too many classes. Word is that this was a result of her fame, which just skyrocketed out of control.
5. Lindsay Lohan
There’s no denying that Lindsey Lohan certainly endured some tumultuous years throughout her career. She eventually would be kicked out of Cold Spring Harbor High School due to repeated absences from class, as well as personal reasons.
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6. Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks was expelled from Skyline High School’s drama program for being too downright disruptive, which is also just hilarious because of his glowing reputation nowadays.
7. Emma Stone
Before Emma Stone leapt onto the scene as America’s sweetheart, the rumor around town is that she was actually quite, quite rebellious at heart. Apparently, she even got kicked out of numerous schools.
8. Charlie Sheen
Well, this is one off the list that just isn’t really too shocking in the slightest. Apparently, Charlie Sheen was actually expelled from Santa Monica High School for bad grades and poor attendance. One just has to wonder if there might’ve been some other, more nefarious reasons at play as well.
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9. Lily Allen
Lily Allen just couldn’t be bothered to follow the rules. Apparently, she was expelled from several boarding schools for smoking, drinking, and rule-breaking. Some people are just born with an unwavering propensity for wanting to (or not even trying to) break the rules.
10. Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse would go on to be kicked out of Sylvia Young Theatre School for not applying herself, as well as breaking the rules. She really did just capture that rebellious, chaotic energy when she wanted to.
11. Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino certainly liked to dance through life in his earlier years to the beat of his own drum. Tarantino was apparently kicked out of acting school for breaking the rules and also for refusing to follow the curriculum.
12. Owen Wilson
Owen Wilson ended up getting booted right out of St. Mark’s School of Texas for cheating on a math test. I mean, as someone who has actively disliked mathematics since I can remember, I can’t really blame him.
13. Robin Williams
Robin Williams wound up being expelled from his elite prep school for his series of comedic disruptions, which he just stubbornly refused to put a lid on. Williams really captured that class clown behavior and pushed it to the outright max.
14. Carey Mulligan
Carey Mulligan got herself kicked out of Woldingham School for sneaking out, breaking curfew, and pushing the rules far too many times.
15. Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was expelled from high school for poor grades, clashing with teachers, and skipping class. He boldly decided to pivot right from that into entering the Army.
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As you can see, even some of the most celebrated stars had a little trouble staying inside the lines before they made it big. Their chaotic school days make their later success feel all the more surprising, and honestly, a little relatable. Keep the nostalgia train rolling onward with 18 Yearbook Photos of Celebs Whose Glow-Up Was Next Level. Also, check out 20 Mugshots of Famous Actors from the Mid-1900s.
