They’re bright and in the limelight. Welcome to WatchMojo UK and today we’ll
be counting down the top 10 Smartest British Celebrities. For this list, we’ll be looking at British
celebrities who are of above average intelligence - but are famous for something other than
their intellect. So, while renowned scientist Brian Cox doesn't
feature today, super-brainy actors do. She played a know it all in the “Harry Potter”
films, but it wasn’t all for show. In fact, it’s well known that whilst filming
the wizarding franchise, Watson worked her shooting schedule around her education. From 2011 onwards, she studied at Worcester
College, Oxford and at the Ivy League Brown University - earning a bachelor's degree in
English literature. Watson also became a UN Women Goodwill ambassador
in 2014, and she’s even a certified yoga and meditation teacher. Despite his well-rounded accent and scholarly
views, it might surprise you that Firth never enjoyed school. Although finding an interest in English literature
at sixth form, Firth described his time at school as “boring”, with most of his younger
years spent pursuing acting, where he joined the National Youth Theatre and eventually
studied at the Drama Centre london. However, his time as a guest editor at BBC
Radio 4 saw him credited as a co-author on a paper researching the brain activity of
politicians - and he is also fluent in Italian. This actor has had an abundance of notable
film and TV roles, but she also belongs to higher education's upper echelons. Studying dance at the Tring Park School for
the Performing Arts in her 20s, she went on to attend Downing College, Cambridge, where
she graduated in social anthropology. Since then she has been involved in numerous
charity works with the likes of the NSPCC and Greenpeace. It’s difficult to take this guy seriously
- especially considering that before 2004, he only ever did interviews in character. But beneath his committed, comedic facade
is a very intelligent chap. Studying at Christ’s College Cambridge,
he graduated with an upper-second-class honours in History. Whilst at University, he also performed as
part of the Amateur Dramatic Club, in performances such as “Fiddler on
the Roof”. And, contrary to what some of his character
personas would have you believe, he was raised Jewish, meaning he is fluent in Hebrew. Known for his portrayal of intelligent, and
not-so-intelligent characters, Hugh Laurie has an interesting educational history. Attending Eton College and later Selwyn College,
Cambridge, Laurie studied archaeology and anthropology, but particularly excelled in
the rowing team. However, due to illness, he eventually fell
into acting, and joined Cambridge Footlights, for which he’d later become the president. There he met actor Emma Thompson who introduced
him to Stephen Fry - and the rest is history. He may play the well-spoken, highly-educated
guy in his films, but is he worthy of the part? In short, yes he is. From Wetherby prep school to Latymer Upper
School, Grant later earned a scholarship to New College, Oxford. There he studied English, and starred in his
first film, “Privileged”, which was funded by the university. Although offered the chance to study for a
PhD in History of Art, Grant couldn't raise the funds, so started touring with with Oxford
University’s Dramatic Society, initially as a creative outlet only. Describing herself as a “late bloomer”,
Beckinsale was educated at Godolphin and Latymer School, before going on to study French and
Russian literature at Oxford. In between essays, she also attended theatre
groups, including Orange Tree Youth Theatre and Oxford University Dramatic Society - leading
to her breakthrough in acting. She also found an affinity for writing, winning
the WH Smith's Young Writer of the Year award, twice. Plus, thanks to her focus on foreign literature,
she's fluent in multiple languages. Mr. Bean, Johnny English, Electrical Engineer? Yep. Although frequently appearing on-screen as
a somewhat dim-witted buffoon, Atkinson is a highly-educated guy. Studying at a prep school and going on to
earn a degree in Electrical Engineering from Newcastle University, he continued his degree
and earned himself a masters at The Queen's College, Oxford. During his studies, he also took part in the
Experimental Theatre Club and Oxford University Dramatic Society. Cleese proved a pioneer for the Footlights
Club at Cambridge, helping establish it as a prestigious platform for actors. As a teenager, Cleese had long been listed
to enrol at Cambridge University, but his move was delayed due to an increased number
of applicants. So, the comic bided his time by teaching for
two years, before finally attending Downing College, and reading Law. He also joined Footlights, using it as a springboard
for his work as a writer and actor, alongside the likes of fellow Python Graham Chapman. May is just as much a learned scientist as
he is a legendary musician. The Queen guitarist attended Hampton Grammar
School before attending Imperial College London, and graduating with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Physics in 1968. Launching in-depth research into interplanetary
dust between 1970 and 1974, he completed his work years later and was finally awarded his
PhD in astrophysics in 2007. May was also credited as a science team collaborator
on NASA’s New Horizons Pluto mission. And who said Science isn't cool?
