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Geek Stars From Atkinson to Zappa

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the brains-to-make-it-in-show-business dept.

Ian Lamont writes "You probably remember reading about Brian May getting a PhD in Astrophysics, but may not know about the many other celebrities from the music, TV, and film worlds who have studied science and technology in college and grad school, or are simply serious gearheads who like gadgets, games, and other geek pastimes. Computerworld has identified about 50 celebrities who fit the bill, including Dan Grimaldi (Patsy Parisi, The Sopranos) who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in math, a master's in operations research and a Ph.D. in data processing; Rowan Atkinson, who has a master's in electrical engineering from Queen's College, Oxford; and Todd Rundgren, who developed an early paint program called Utopia. Other folks on the list: Dr. Demento, Montel Williams, Natalie Portman, Curt Schilling, and Huey Lewis."

5 of 320 comments (clear)

  1. Zappa on music by ThirdPrize · · Score: 5, Interesting

    In his book "The Real Frank Zappa" released in 1989 Zappa explains his plan for the future of music distribution. He says that consumers arn't that interested in CDs or vinyl and explains how you could use the cable tv or telephone system to digitally transmit music (and cover art, etc) into peoples homes on a subscription basis. This was back in 1989, long before your interweb thing took off.

    --
    I have excellent Karma and I am not afraid to Troll it.
  2. Re:Yawn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Actually what is interesting is that very few of the people on this list ever publicly talk about their education or interests. We live in an age when kids are losing interest in science in technology and chasing the celebrity dream of fame and fortune. Many of these people could be good roll models to encourage kids back into science, technology and engineering.

    Also, Masi Oka has a double in Math and CS, and worked at ILM. I don't care what you say: Hiro Nakamura is a real geek. He still consults for ILM for Petes sake!

  3. Erdos-Bacon number by Michael+Woodhams · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I can't let this go past without bringing up Erdos-Bacon numbers.

    Natalie Portman has one of the better scores (Erdos 5 + Bacon 2 = 7). She did not (so far as I know) use her fame in her primary field (acting) to get preferential treatment in the other (science/maths.) There are scientists with a lower total, but I think they've all got an acting part on strength of their science fame (e.g. Stephen Hawking.)

    According to Wikipedia, a few people have lower Erdos-Bacon numbers which appear to be 'clean', but I haven't heard of them before: Kiralee Hayashi (3+3), Danica McKellar (4+2), Barney Pell (3+2), John Platt (3+3), Karl Schaffer (3+2), Brian Wandell (3+2), Wendelin Werner (3+3).

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    Quattuor res in hoc mundo sanctae sunt: libri, liberi, libertas et liberalitas.
  4. Obvious Missing Entries by Mister+Transistor · · Score: 4, Interesting

    There's Elvis Costello - former computer programmer who chucked it all for Rock 'N Roll...
    (He kept the geek look but lost the career!)

    Peter Gabriel is quite the computer nerd...

    Joe Walsh of the Eagles - he's got a Ham Radio license...

    And Jeff Foxworthy used to work for IBM, but I'm not sure how nerdy he was.

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    -- You are in a maze of little, twisty passages, all different... --
  5. Kris Kristofferson by puto · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Although he doesn't have the best voice. He did write a slew of hits, Bobby Mcgee and Help me Make it through the night. Was one of the highway men.

    1. Rhodes Scholar.
    2. Military Helicopter Pilot.
    3. Assigned as a professor at West Point but resigned his commission.
    4. Golden Gloves boxer.

    A true geek in the Heinlein sense. Smart and tough.

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    The Revolution Will Not Be Televised