8 famous people you probably didn’t realize studied economics
1. Cate Blanchett - Actress, Oscar magnet
She never graduated, but the versatile actress studied economics and fine arts at the University of Melbourne, before going on to do the greatest impressions of Katherine Hepburn, Elizabeth I and Bob Dylan ever.
2. Arsene Wenger - Football manager, headmaster in another universe
Arsenal’s long-time manager graduated with a Masters in Economics from the University of Strasbourg in 1974. With a shrewd and thrifty reputation in the transfer market, his degree has obviously served him well.
3. Gene Kelly - Actor, dancer, a dab hand at sit-ups
Yep, dancing sensation Gene Kelly, probably best known for the classic 1952 film Singin’ In The Rain, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1933. Effortlessly stylish and could easily talk you through the mechanics of monetary policy if you asked.
4. Danny Glover - Actor, activist, lethal weapon
If putting up with Mel Gibson for four movies wasn’t enough hard work, Glover has also been a tireless political and civil rights campaigner. In a recent interview he said: “I studied economics... I still study economics, I’m still trying to figure out economics.” Join the club, Danny.
5. Paul Newman - Actor, cool hand, eyes bluer than the Caribbean sea
The legendary Hollywood actor studied an interesting combination of economics and drama at Kenyon College in Ohio and completed his BA in 1949. He later went on to produce a best-selling salad dressing.
6. Will Self - Writer, raconteur, grumpy old man
The ever sapient scribe went to Oxford of course, where he read Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). Querulous, loquacious and loads of other words we don’t really understand, Self has warned against the “false prophets of the new priesthood of economics” who base their analyses and predictions on "spurious notions of human behavior". Take that, economists.
7. Aung San Suu Kyi - stateswoman, democracy campaigner, all-round hero
Like Self, ASSK also studied PPE at Oxford. Her party, the NLD have a : fiscal prudence, efficient government, revitalizing agriculture, monetary and fiscal stability, and functioning infrastructure. Sorted.
8. Ray Manzarek - The Doors founder, keyboard noodler, wore a mean pair of shades
The man that gave The Doors their distinctive sound, Manzarek did a degree in economics at DePaul University in the early Sixties, before all the acid kicked in.