Harvard University has produced some of the most influential minds in history, but it’s also been the home to a slew of future household names. Sure, we all know the elite alumni — politicians, scientists, and Nobel laureates — but some took a slightly more unconventional route to fame. So, let’s stroll through the hallowed halls of Harvard and meet some of its most famous alumni.

Well Known Harvard University Alums

1. Mark Zuckerberg

Let’s start with the man who made social media both a blessing and a curse — Mark Zuckerberg. As the founder of Facebook, Zuck turned college dorm room coding into a multi-billion-dollar empire. But Harvard isn’t just the place where he built his empire — it’s where he got that look. You know, the one — the face that says, “I’m the CEO of a social media company, but I might not be able to make eye contact at this party.” Zuck is what happens when you mix brilliance with the untold resources of the wealthiest and most prestigious institution of higher education in the world.

2. Natalie Portman

Yes, there’s a Harvard graduate out there who managed to balance studying psychology with being an Oscar-winning actress. While some of us were busy failing chemistry, Natalie Portman was excelling academically and starring in blockbuster movies. Not only that, but she did all this while managing to stay humble and incredibly poised. Oh, and she also played Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequels? That’s right — Harvard didn’t just teach her how to write a thesis; it helped her become one of the most iconic characters in the galaxy. While the Israeli-American was certainly talented before arriving in that little town outside of Boston, her time there nurtured her into a revolutionary artist.

3. Conan O’Brien

If there’s one thing Harvard has produced that doesn’t quite fit the traditional “serious intellectual” mold, it’s Conan O’Brien. The late-night talk show host who made awkwardness and self-deprecation a multi-million-dollar brand was a Harvard graduate. Before his Tonight Show and Conan fame, Conan was just another Harvard student doing what all Harvard students do: competing with his peers to “comp” the right extracurriculars. Legend has it that he used his comedic genius to make his way through his studies and into The Harvard Lampoon (which is undoubtedly a major feeder into the entertainment industry!).

4. Barack Obama

President Barack Obama is often hailed as one of the greatest orators of our time, and while his speeches were undeniably inspiring, let’s not forget that he was also a Harvard Law School graduate. Who knew that the same guy who could charm a nation with his words once had to sift through legal jargon and debate the finer points of case law? Harvard Law School also happens to be where the future President of the United States would meet his future First Lady, just going to show that one of the primary benefits of an Ivy League education is the people it puts you in touch with.

5. T.S. Eliot

And now, for the most serious of the bunch: T.S. Eliot, the man who gave us the famous line, “I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.” The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and playwright brought modernist poetry into the world. As an alum of the famous Signet Society, Harvard’s undergraduate club for artists on campus, his legacy inspires the starry-eyed poets and essayists who continue to walk Harvard’s hallowed halls.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance With Admission to Harvard

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If you’re serious about optimizing your child’s odds of admission to Harvard University, take the first step today. Fill out our complimentary consultation form and we’ll be in touch to discuss how Ivy Coach can help turn your Harvard dream into a reality.