Eight Underachieving Hollywood Directors

By The Astute Fem (Chief Contributor)
Tags: Clint Eastwood, George Lucas Michael Bay Steven Spielberg, Sam Raimi Quentin Tarantino, Woody Allen, Kevin Smith, Eight Great

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Created: 06/27/2008
09:20 AM

The directors on this list are some of the most intelligent, innovative, and influential, yet by the standards of academics, they would be less than average. Yes, it's true that genius is not only found in a sound high school or college career, but these guys either failed at each attempt, or screwed something up along the way. Here's a look at the surprising academic careers of these critically acclaimed Hollywood directors.  

1. Steven Spielberg
He is the wondrous mastermind that brought us ET and Indiana Jones, but in his younger years he was a far cry from a pristine academic record. He applied to the prestigious USC of Cinematic Arts and was rejected because of his less than stellar average. He broke into the film business by playing the "big man" on set while interning with Universal. He finally finished his undergraduate degree from California State University, Long Beach, where he was a frat boy with Theta Chi. He finally earned his B.A. years later after completing independent projects for CSU film program. He got what he wished for in the end, USC awarded him an honorary degree. I guess rejection isn't always negative. 

2. Michael Bay
Unlike many of Bay's successful cinematic counterparts, Michael Bay was rejected from USC's film program, and many other film programs. Michael Bay settled for a cozy existence at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Bay also attended Wesleyan. At Wesleyan, Bay joined the Psi Upsilon fraternity, which probably didn't prepare him for his application to USC. He didn't make waves in the beginning, but Bay is now famous for his directing in films such as Transformers, Bad Boys, Pearl Harbor, and Armageddon.

3. George Lucas

This genius in sound, image, and special effects, wasn't quite known as such when he dreamed of burning rubber as a race car driver. An almost fatal accident helped Lucas switch gears, but his D+ average prevented him from immediate acceptance to USC. So Lucas opted for a junior college, Modesto Junior College to be exact. Finally, Lucas transferred to USC where he was roommates with director Randal Kleiser. Now, Lucas is known for coining the blockbuster phenomenon with his 1977 release of the first Star Wars film. 

4. Clint Eastwood
After high school, there was nothing close to University or college in Eastwood’s mind. The Million Dollar Baby director went from gas station attendant to firefighter, and even bar musician. He may not have a degree in film up his sleeve, but he is one of the most revered directors of our time. 

5. Quentin Tarantino

His story proves that talent trumps a degree any day. Tarantino is a high school drop out, who tried his hand at acting. At one point in his twenties, he spent all day discussing films in a video store. Fast forward, Tarantino becomes a cult favorite with the film Reservoir Dogs. 

6. Sam Raimi
Raimi is up to movie number three in the Spider-man series, but no one could see this success when he cut out of his undergraduate study as a first semester sophomore to film the cult classic The Evil Dead. The Michigan State University drop out majored in English, he only had plans to work with narratives in motion pictures.

7. Woody Allen 

The man of scandal, Woody Allen, definitely kept the title throughout his early life. Allen went to NYU for an undergraduate degree in communications and film. Of all classes to fail, he failed a film course, and was later expelled from the school. He tried to jump back on the undergrad train, attending the City College of New York, for a short period of time. Woody Allen still hasn't completed his degree. 

8. Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith attended The New School, and the Vancouver Film School, where he majored in film. This Jay and Silent Bob creator dropped out and took his partial tuition reimbursement (ahem, his parents money) to finance his first film.