Celebrities Who Have Received Honorary Doctorate Degrees

Mel B

Mel B spiced up her résumé in 2024 by receiving a honorary doctorate from her hometown college, Leeds Beckett University, which recognized her both as a “music icon” and a stalwart advocate for domestic abuse survivors.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, the former Spice Girl shared her gratitude for the university and the opportunity to further her education, explaining how her own experience of domestic abuse inspired her mission: “[Being a survivor] is all about one thing — helping survivors, breaking the silence and using my voice to help others.” 

And of course, true to her Scary Spice roots, she graduated in a custom gown lined with her signature leopard print.

Jessica Chastain

More than 20 years after earning her B.F.A., Oscar-winning actress Jessica Chastain returned to her alma mater, The Juilliard School, to accept an honorary doctorate for her “outstanding contributions” to film and theater. 

“Dr. Chastain has a nice ring to it 🎓,” she captioned an Instagram Reel. “Thank you @juilliardschool for this honor and for the custom hat 🙃 congrats class of 2024!”

Tom Hanks

Before receiving an honorary doctorate of arts from Harvard University, Tom Hanks delivered a powerful commencement speech for the 2023 graduating class, urging them to fight against the “indifference of a people who have been made weary by struggle.”

“Indifference makes citizens into indentured servants held in labor by the despots and tyrants whose default setting is cynicism, who outlawed dissent and ban art and dialogue and books,” the two-time Oscar winner said.

“Every day, every year and for every graduating class, there is a choice to be made,” Hanks continued. “It’s the same option for all grown-ups who have to decide to be one of three types of Americans: those who embrace liberty and freedom for all, those who won’t or those who are indifferent. Only the first do the work of creating a more perfect union, a nation indivisible. The others get in the way.”

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift doesn’t need to tell you she’s a “Mastermind,” but her honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from NYU says it all! 

In May 2022, the Grammy winner accepted the honor and delivered her first commencement speech, sharing some of her “life hacks” instead of “advice.”

“Life can be heavy, especially if you try to carry it all at once. Part of growing up and moving into new chapters of your life is about catch and release,” she told the crowd. “Secondly, learn to live alongside cringe.”

Swift also encouraged the graduating classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 to trust their instincts, saying: “You will screw it up sometimes. So will I. And when I do, you will most likely read about it on the internet. Hard things will happen to us. We will recover. We will learn from it. We will grow more resilient because of it.”

Michelle Yeoh

A year before clinching her Best Actress Oscar, Everything Everywhere All at Once star Michelle Yeoh received an honorary doctorate of fine arts from the American Film Institute, where she delivered a speech about the power of failure.

Recalling some unsuccessful on-set stunts, Yeoh emphasized how those moments “taught me perseverance, grit and humility.” 

“You see, after I learned how to fall, I could learn how to fly,” she explained. “What I want to share with you today is that our slips and stumbles are the secrets to our flight. Every person who has ever stepped onto this stage has had their fair share of crashes. Trust me, that’s part of the deal. Success without failure is called luck. It cannot really be repeated or relied upon. It is from failure, we learn and grow.”

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 2011, in addition to delivering the institution’s commencement speech.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is a recipient of multiple honorary doctorate degrees from numerous institutions, including Ivy Leagues and international universities.

She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Princeton University in 2002, an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Duke University in 2009, and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Harvard University in 2013.

The talk show star also received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of the Free State in South Africa in 2011 for her services to education in the country.

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Brown University in 2013.

Kerry Washington

Long before starring on ABC’s political drama Scandal, Kerry Washington was in Washington, D.C., for school. She is a 1998 graduate of George Washington University, and was later awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from the school in 2013.

Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran accepted an honorary doctorate degree for his “outstanding contribution to music” from the University Campus Suffolk in Ipswich, England, in 2015. He accepted the degree in person, where he sported a colorful gown and traditional cap — paired with Converse shoes and a flash of his tattoos.

The singer, who left school at 16 to pursue his music career, shared his excitement on Instagram, writing, “I graduated today, I am now officially Dr. Sheeran.”

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by her alma mater, Denison University, in 2019.

The actress, who was a graduate of Denison’s class of 1994, also delivered the school’s commencement speech.

Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie received an honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Berklee College of Music in 2017, in addition to jamming with the students on stage during the institution’s annual commencement concert.

“For his contributions to contemporary culture, his humanitarian efforts and the joy his music brings to so many, it is my pleasure to present Berklee’s honorary doctorate of music to Lionel Richie,” Berklee President Roger H. Brown said in his introduction for the singer-songwriter.

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake was given an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music in 2019. In addition to thanking his wife, Jessica Biel, in his speech, he shared his appreciation of the honor on Instagram.

“No Dream is too big!!! Keep chasing!!! Trust me… I’m a DOCTOR!! 🤣👨‍🎓 But, for real… THANK YOU to @berkleecollege for this incredible honor—I’m very humbled and grateful,” he captioned the post.