With a career in Hollywood spanning across five decades, Jeff Goldblum is one of the most well-known actors on the scene. His acting has been described using various words ranging from legendary to eccentric, but does this Hollywood legend have a degree?
Jeff Goldblum does not have a degree, although, during the summer as a teen, he studied acting at Carnegie Mellon University, PA. Afterward, Goldblum made a 200-mile move to New York and landed his breakthrough role as a Hollywood actor in Death Wish (1972).
Read more below about Goldblum’s on-screen career and whether a college degree is a necessity for you to be successful.
Goldblum’s On-Screen Career
Goldblum has starred in some of the highest-grossing films of his era, including ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993), and ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ (2016). The eclectic star has appeared in a multitude of TV series, too, including ‘Law And Order: Criminal Intent.’
‘The Fly’ (1986)
‘The Fly,’ a sci-fi horror movie directed and co-written by David Cronenberg, narrates the story of a scientist whose experiment goes tragically wrong, resulting in his transformation into a flying hybrid.
At the time, the movie was met with great acclaim by critics and audiences with a significant focus on Goldblum’s exceptional performance in the film. According to ‘Variety Staff,’ this film is not for the squeamish!
The movie was a massive commercial success, grossing $60.6 million worldwide against a nine million dollar budget.
Goldblum described his experience of working on set in ‘The Fly’ as a “landmark” that provided him with a nourishing learning experience, and he said that he loved being part of the movie.
‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)
Directed by well-known Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, ‘Jurassic Park’ is a sci-fi adventure movie, produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Gerald R. Molen.
As the first installment of the ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise, it was a huge commercial success as it became the highest-grossing film of 1993 when it grossed $914 million worldwide upon its original release. The movie held the title of the highest-grossing movie ever of that time, maintaining its title until the release of ‘Titanic’ five years later in 1997.
‘Thor: Ragnarok’ (2017)
Directed by Taika Waititi, ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ is a popular Marvel superhero film featuring the comic book character and protagonist of the film, Thor where Thor is tasked with escaping an alien planet in time to save Asgard from Hela and the upcoming battle (Ragnarok).
Across the world, the movie was a monumental success, grossing $854 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of the Thor trilogy and the ninth highest-grossing film of 2017.
College Degrees: Are They Necessary?
In Goldblum’s case, a college degree wasn’t necessary because he has had a great acting career even without obtaining a college degree. Although it’s slightly different when you’re working in the entertainment industry, it’s more about how talented you are and the amount of effort you’re willing to put in to achieve your goals.
In the real world, though, a college degree could go a long way depending on the career route you choose.
Here’s a little food for thought: the average college-educated person will earn $570,000 more than a high school graduate in their entire lifetime. However, 17 million Americans with college degrees work in jobs that do not require college degrees, with many employed in a position that requires high school education or less.
Technically, you don’t need a college degree; they’re just something that broadens your career prospects in the long run, and you can bag yourself a job that’s higher paid. When it comes down to it, it’s an entirely personal choice – what’s right for someone else may not be suitable for you.