Top 10 Celebrities with High IQ & 10 with Low IQ
Intelligence Quotient, popularly known as IQ, is the reflection of a person’s cognitive abilities and brain capacity. It tells us an individual’s ability to produce meaningful responses, delivery, and processing speed.
In the present day and age where celebrities are always in the limelight making statements about social, religious, political, and economic issues, many wonder about the intelligence of these people. If you want to learn about the top celebrities with high IQs and low IQs, here is a complete list.
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High-IQ Celebrities
1
Lisa Kudrow
IQ: 154
Known as everyone’s beloved Phoebe from the Friends TV show, Lisa Kudrow is the first person on the list of celebrities with a high IQ. Though Phoebe Buffay in the show was naive and genuine, but not the sharpest, Lisa is completely opposite to her iconic on-screen character.
As we know, she has an IQ score of 154, making her an exceptional talent. Lisa also graduated from Vassar College in New York with a Bachelor of Science and worked extensively as a headache specialist like her father. However, the plan didn’t work out and she moved to New York for acting gigs.
Though Lisa didn’t work in many movies throughout her career, she definitely participated in successes like P.S., I Love You, and Space Force. She has also earned several honors, including Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and two SAGs. Aside from acting, Kudrow also has a notable career in writing and production.
2
Nolan Gould
IQ: 150
Nolan Gould, the famous Luke Dunphy from ABC’s Modern Family is among the celebrities with a high IQ, unlike his on-screen character. Nolan has enjoyed a pretty lengthy acting career and is one of the few actors who have been associated with the Mensa society.
Reportedly, Nolan Gould has an IQ score of 150, and he himself announced this on the Ellen DeGeneres Show at the age of 13, making her the top 0.1% of the population. Given that he is an associated member of Mensa, Gould also participated in GED Test driving at the same time.
Speaking of his career, Gould started acting in movies at the age of 9 and became a part of popular commercial successes like Montana, McPassion, and Space Buddies. Throughout his career, Gould received around 22 Emmy awards and multiple nominations for Entertainment awards.
3
Matt Damon
IQ: 160
The next celebrity with an exceptional IQ on this list is Matt Damon, whom we all know from the genius character of Will from Good Will Hunting. Reportedly, he has an IQ score of 160, which is unlike any other and indicates a multi-dimensional, exceptional intelligence and mental curiosity. Currently, Matt is the highest-grossing actor and one of the few bankable Hollywood stars.
Damon first started off at Harvard University where he studied English Literature, though he dropped out before graduating to pursue acting. During this time, he penned the screenplay of his debut movie character Will from Good Will Hunting and even received an Academy Award for it. Over the years, he came up with impressive scripts like An American Legend and Courage Under Fire.
4
Natalie Portman
IQ: 140
Natalie Portman is yet another critically acclaimed and high-paid Hollywood actress with a high intellect. Her cognitive ability and unique media appearances have gotten her a massive following from across the globe. Turns out, she has an IQ score of 140, which is more than 98% of the people, indicating a curious mind and gifted intellect.
Not surprising at all, Natalie attended Harvard University to study psychology while filming for Star Wars. She was also the first alum to receive an Academy Award for acting from the school. After this, Natalie went on to study a few graduate courses at the Hebrew University and even co-authored two published articles.
Aside from her brilliant acting, Natalie Portman is multi-lingual and can speak five languages fluently. She has starred in commercial successes like V for Vendetta, Star Wars, Black Swan, and No Strings Attached. Natalie also won two Golden Globes and one Academy, a true indication of her passion for her craft.
5
Ben Affleck
IQ: 154
We all know Benjamin Affleck Boldt as the famous filmmaker and actor, one of the highest-paid celebrities in Hollywood has come a long way from his debut movie, Good Will Hunting. However, behind the low profile and brilliant actors, lies a bonafide prodigy with high caliber and multi-faceted intelligence.
Reportedly, Affleck has an IQ score of 154, which is unlike any average brain, indicating that he belongs to the 0.1% of the global population. He has always been an academically brilliant student, also a reason he got accepted into the University of Virginia and the University of Vermont.
After studies, Ben Affleck started acting and was cast in some high-selling projects like The Voyage of the Mimi and PBS Miniseries. Recently, Affleck founded a production company called LivePlanet under which he has also directed a movie, Gone Baby Gone. Over the years, he has earned several critics awards like the Academy and Blockbuster Entertainment awards.
6
Ashton Kutcher
IQ: 160
Ashton Kutcher, the popular actor, producer, and entrepreneur is best known for his iconic comedy roles, which definitely does not create an impression of him possessing extraordinary intelligence. Reasons why his fans love him so much are Ashton’s witty responses and quick delivery during public interviews.
Reportedly, Ashton has an IQ score of around 160, which is exceptional intelligence and makes him a minute part of the public. Much to our amusement, he was not originally planning to do acting and even enrolled in the University of Iowa for a Biochemical Engineering degree. Before even acting, he was working at a successful tech company.
Ashton was also accepted into both Purdue University and MIT and even received a scholarship during senior high school. All in all, he has been a part of some stupid and aloof characters on screen, unlike his personality. He has even put her mind on IT-sector investments for companies like Spotify and AirBnB.
7
Drake
IQ: 142
Drake has dominated the entertainment world for quite some time, and with his extensive work profile, comes questions about his intelligence. Aubrey Drake Graham, the American rapper, songwriter, and businessman has an estimated IQ score of 142, which indicates his exceptionally gifted intellect. His multi-faceted career, media appearances, and public interviews testify to his high caliber.
Unlike other industry rappers, Drake possesses musical intelligence, evident through his well-thought-out lyrics. Despite having heavy words and thought-provoking themes, all his songs have a catchy vibe, appealing to a broader audience. He has an innate understanding of rhythm and melodies, an ability only a few possess today.
Not only this, but Drake has also been a part of commercial businesses for quite some time. He has invested in his own record label, OVO Sound, and other multinationals. Drake’s effective communication potential has earned him partnerships with companies like Apple and Nike.
8
Arnold Schwarzenegger
IQ: 132
An actor, former professional bodyguard, and former Californian governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger needs no introduction. With a multi-faceted career and media appearances, it is no surprise that Arnold has a reported IQ of 132. Therefore, he falls in the category of above-average intellect.
His intelligence is evident through Arnold’s seven Mr. Olympia titles and five Mr. Universe titles. Arnold was also nominated among the 100 most influential people in the world by Times in 2004 and 2007. Moreover, though he didn’t enroll in college, he was trained in the Austrian army in 1965 and served as the governor of California from 2003 to 2011.
Speaking of his acting profile, Arnold has worked in high-profile action films like Predator, Commando, and Conan The Barbarian. Given his achievements in all his careers, Schwarzenegger’s gifted personality truly deserves praise.
9
Elon Musk
IQ: 157
Who doesn’t know about Elon Musk in today’s day and age? Musk is one of the wealthiest people on earth, popularly known for his mental curiosity to explore Mars and entrepreneurial ventures like SpaceX, Tesla, and Open AI.
Given such achievements, there is no doubt of Elon Musk’s mental capabilities and intelligence. Reportedly, he has an IQ score between 155 and 160, which is among 0.1% of the population. More experts believe Musk to be creative, as he always comes up with innovative solutions to real complex problems.
According to his peers, Elon Musk has always been an intelligent man, and he would code games at the age of 122 and sell them to publishing magazines for $500. Later on, he became the founder of several companies like SpaceX, Neuralink, Starlink, and Tesla Inc, and even co-founded OpenAI.
10
Mayim Bialik
IQ: 158
The infamous American author and actress Mayim Bialik is yet another celebrity with a high IQ and exceptional intelligence. You would know her from the show called The Big Bang Theory, but only a few are aware of her extraordinary educational qualifications. Much to our surprise, she is a neuroscientist in real life, like her character.
Mayim Bialik has an estimated IQ score between 153 and 163, which is a gifted personality and exceptional caliber. Reportedly, she was accepted into Yale and Harvard, although she chose UCLA to complete her graduation. Mayin got her PhD qualification in neuroscience OCD among adolescents with Prader-Willi Syndrome, which is definitely something studious.
She also worked extensively in research departments later on. Moreover, Mayim started her acting career with series like Molloy and Blossom, but her popularity got a hit with Amy’s character in the Big Bang Theory.
Low-IQ Celebrities
1
Kim Kardashian
IQ: 100
Well, we all know the Kardashian clan and that not all of them are the sharpest beings on the planet, Kim being one of them. For those who don’t know, she is an American businesswoman, socialite, and media personality, and has always been in the limelight for public interviews and media statements.
Reportedly, Kim K’s IQ score is less than 100, which is not even an average, and there might be some truth to it. Much of it is accredited to her tone-deaf statements like, “I hate it when women wear the wrong foundation color.
It might be the worst thing on the planet when they wear their makeup too light”. Like, to a normal person, it is not a bad thing to note wearing the right foundation shade.
2
George Washington Bush
IQ: 91
Speaking of low intelligence quotient and limited mental capacity, United States Presidents are not spared. One of the most controversial and tone-deaf personalities, George Washington may not be as smart as everyone thinks. On a standard IQ scale, his estimated score is 91, which is beyond pitiful, and compared to his predecessor Clinton, he is approximately 100 scores behind.
George Washington served as the governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000 and later transitioned to becoming the 43rd President of the US from 2001 to 2009. During his time period, the US made questionable strategic decisions and suffered huge losses in the Middle East and South Asia. He also made several thick-headed statements like, “It has come to my attention that air pollution is polluting the air”.
3
Kourtney Kardashian
IQ: 95
Kourtney Kardashian is yet another celebrity with a low IQ in the Kardashian-Jenner family. She is a businesswoman, socialite, and media personality, who is always in the limelight for her business ventures and public interviews.
Well, given her public appearances and famous statements, it is no surprise that she has a low IQ score of 95, which does not even fall in the category of average score. Despite this score, she graduated from the University of Arizona and ran several businesses.
4
Chris Brown
IQ: 120
Chris Brown is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter, and has been regarded as one of the most influential personalities in R&B Music. Fans from across the globe credit him for being the pioneer of this music genre, mostly in the US. His music sells worldwide and includes some best-selling hits like Look at Me Now, New Flame, and Loyal.
That said, he might not be the brightest when it comes to intelligence. Chris Brown’s estimated IQ score is around 120 which falls in the average category. If you follow Hollywood news, you will know his contested opinions on music choices and society.
5
Muhammad Ali
IQ: 78
Now, this one comes as a shocker that Muhammad Ali has a low IQ score, but wait, it is one of the cases where such standardized tests are unable to get the gist of someone’s multifaceted intelligence. Apparently, Ali’s IQ score is around 78, which is really challenging to imagine, given his natural wit, delivery, and amazing responses.
Considering his score on the test, it reflects a borderline mental disorder, which is far from his real personality. He earned notable titles during his time, including being the first fighter to win the world heavyweight championship three times. Ali was also honored with the Martin Luther King Award by Ralph Abernathy as a revolutionary leader for black resistance
What most people don’t know about Muhammad Ali is that he undertook this IT test in the military service for war in Vietnam, though he violently opposed it. Despite this, the exam failed to understand the different aspects of his intelligence. Moreover, IQ tests have been criticized a lot for being racially biased, which may also be the reason for low scores.
6
Richard Feynman
IQ: 125
If you are a science freak and know about Richard Feynman, you would be astounded to know about his IQ score. Today, he is considered the most influential figure in the quantum electrodynamics field. So, it is safe to say that standardized intelligence tests can be questionable in many instances, and the popular physicist and Nobel prize winner Richard Feynman is a testament to it.
According to him, he took an IQ test when he was 13 and received a 125 score, which is slightly above the average. Given his achievements and contributions to electrodynamics and quantum physics, the score could be anything but true. Since then, he has been seen joking about his low intelligence potential despite receiving several honorary awards.
7
Dr James Watson
IQ: 120
For a man who was so innovative as Dr James Watson, to think that he has a low IQ would be wrong. But, it is the case as apparently, he had a pretty average IQ score, though he never associated himself with any standard intelligence testing. He himself admitted his IQ score to be 120 when he took the test during his school years.
Despite such a low score, James earned higher degrees from Indiana University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Copenhagen. Throughout his career, he made significant contributions to genetics, molecular biology, Medicine, and development of the DNA structure recognition. He was also awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for discovering the molecular structure of nucleic acid.
8
Miley Cyrus
IQ: 115
Miley Cyrus, the popular singer, actress, and songwriter, needs no introduction. We all know her from her best-selling records, acting gigs, and never-ending controversies. Some of her popular hits include Plastic Hearts, Flowers, Endless Summers, Can’t Be Tamed, and Breakout.
She has also earned honors like Grammy, MTV Music Awards, and Teen Queen title. Reportedly, she has an IQ score between 100 and 130, which indicates an average mental capacity and intellect. It is worth considering that she has never associated herself with any IQ test or Mensa society.
9
Andy Warhol
IQ: 123
Andy Warhol was a popular pop artist, visual artist, and film director from the US, but not the most competent when it comes to brain power. Reportedly he has an IQ score between 115 and 130, though he has not publicly stated anything about taking any sort of standard test. Just to give you an idea, 150 is the average score most get in a standard intelligence test.
Despite an average score, he managed to receive several honorary titles for his songs and directing ventures. He also received a formal commercial art degree and served as the art director in the student magazine Cano. Hence, given his accomplishments, it could be said that the test may not be adequate to understand and capture his multifaceted intelligence.
10
Britney Spears
IQ: 104
We all know Britney Spears as the Princess of Pop who has been an influential figure in the American pop world. She is a singer, pop artist, and songwriter, working from her teenage years and influencing others across the country during the 1990s and 2000s. However, reportedly, she has a low score of 104, making her yet another celebrity with a low IQ.
Despite this, she has managed to sell over 10 million records across the globe. From a young age, Britney Spears has worked hard toward her singing career and always remained focused on getting singing gigs and even dropped school for it. It could be a case where the test has not been able to examine her emotional maturity, communication potential, and other relevant skills.
Finally, the IQ score of an individual is a testament to his/ her reasoning ability and conventional intelligence. I hope this guide was helpful in examining your favorite celebrity’s IQ.