The common misconception with actors, musicians and other celebrities is that they skipped out on higher education to make their showbiz career work, but that's only true for some.

For these five celebrities have achieved both: a hugely successful career in their respective careers and an impressive degree to fall back on.

1. Mayim Bialik

Degree(s)

Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, Hebrew studies, and Jewish studies, UCLA

Ph.D. in Neuroscience, UCLA

According to CNN, Bialik has published a book on "parenting based on the science of hormones involved in parent-child bonding." The 35-year-old mother of two portrays Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler on "The Big Bang Theory," a role for which she has received an Emmy nomination three times.

2. Brian May

Degree(s)

Pd.D. in Mathematics and Physics, Imperial College London

May actually did leave college to pursue his career in music. However, he applied his knowledge of sound waves to song called "We Will Rock You." As the lead guitarist for Queen, it was May's idea to mathematically construct the iconic and massive-sounding "stomp-stomp-clap" section of the song. He explains it in depth in a 2010 interview with NPR.

3. James Franco

Degree(s)

English: Creative Writing Concentration, UCLA

Master's of Fine Arts, Columbia

Ph.D. student in English, Yale

Franco grabbed headlines for taking on a massive course load while continuing to work in the film industry, but apparently took his education seriously. John Williams, Franco's adviser at Yale, wrote for Slate in 2011 that the actor missed class and other school engagements once. With assistants and agents at his disposal, Franco was able to balance a hectic schedule. So Williams then posed the question, "Why aren't more Hollywood actors earning Ph.Ds?"

4. Natalie Portman

Degree(s)

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Harvard

While attending Harvard, Portman co-authored two scientific studies, but she has said that psychology is something she always wants to practice. The A-list actress is also fluent in five languages, another subject she is interested in. Abigail A. Baird, an instructor at Harvard who mentored Portman, previously told the New York Times, "There are very few who are as inherently bright as Natalie is, who have as much intellectual horsepower, who work as hard as she did. She didn't take a single thing for granted."

5. Shaquille O'Neal

Degree(s)

Ed.D. in Human Resource Development, Barry University

Even in his late 30's and after a long and lucrative NBA career, the Diesel wanted to uphold a promise he told ABC News in 2012 that he made to his parents. As a basketball player, Shaq has come up with at least a dozen of his own nicknames, generating a reputation as someone who loves to laugh. Fittingly, his thesis was based on the value of humor in leadership. If anyone is an authority on funny leaders, it is a four-time NBA champ who nicknamed himself "the Big Shamrock" when he joined the Boston Celtics.