Before some of today's biggest names made it in Hollywood, they were acing exams and delivering graduation speeches. Here are six celebrities who graduated as valedictorian of their high school.
Conan O'Brien
Best known as one of America's most beloved late-night hosts, Conan O'Brien graduated at the top of his class from Brookline High School in Boston in 1981. While giving a commencement speech to the graduating class of Stuyvesant High School in 2006, he reflected on what drove him back then. "I went to a public high school, and I was a bright, ambitious, hard-working kid who wanted more than anything to go to a good college. The only problem is, I was much more interested in succeeding than in really learning," he said. He added that he joined clubs just because they looked good on college applications, and it was only later that he learned to pursue things that genuinely excited him.
Cindy Crawford
Supermodel and pop culture icon Cindy Crawford graduated as valedictorian of DeKalb High School in 1984. She received a scholarship to study chemical engineering at Northwestern but later dropped out to pursue modelling. In a February 2026 interview with OK! Magazine, she said, "I was valedictorian. I went to college but as soon as I dropped out to do modelling, people immediately treated me like I was dumb. I wasn't."
Weird Al Yankovic
The king of musical parody, best known for hits like 'Eat It' and 'White and Nerdy', Weird Al Yankovic graduated from California's Lynwood High School in 1975 at just 16 years old. In a Facebook post, he described himself as "pretty awkward, shy and nerdy" as a kid.
Tiffani Thiessen
Best known for her role as Kelly Kapowski in 'Saved by the Bell', Tiffani Thiessen graduated at the top of her class in 1992 from Valley Professional High School in California. By the time she received her diploma, she already had three seasons of the beloved sitcom behind her.
Chevy Chase
'Saturday Night Live' legend and star of the 'National Lampoon' film series, Chevy Chase graduated as valedictorian from Massachusetts' progressive Stockbridge School in 1960. "I was never the class clown, but I was definitely funny," he told Bedford and New Canaan Magazine in 2024.
Cody Simpson
Australian singer and TV actor Cody Simpson, known for his hit 'iYiYi' and his relationship with swimmer Stephanie Rice, graduated as valedictorian from his Atlanta high school in 2014. On Instagram, he shared excerpts from his speech, writing, "It is possible to finish high school amidst having a very busy schedule and amidst working relentlessly towards chasing my wildest dreams." He added, "Intelligence is the sexiest thing in the entire world."
