Hot Graduate: James Franco

Fans of Franco are awaiting the August release of Pineapple Express, the comedic pièce dè rèsistance of Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen. In a role unlike any of the heartthrob fluff he's known for, Franco plays Saul Silver a slothful, nonsensical weed dealer who ends up running for his life after selling some Pineapple Express to his best customer.

The California native finally finished his bachelor's of Arts in English at UCLA, and has been accepted to the competitive MFA writing program at Columbia University. He will also complete a master's degree at the NYU Tisch School.

His success in the entertainment world makes it pretty unnecessary to pursue another degree, though he is poised to accept the challenge. Franco's pursuit of higher education makes his stock value even higher -- he's a pretty face, he has had years of experience, and he can recite Shakespeare from memory (score!).

His role in Pineapple Express may not prove his obvious intelligence; it's no worry though in a couple of years he will have the degree to show for it.