actor who is also a lawyer

by Raymundo Wintheiser PhD 9 min read

Who is the most famous celebrity lawyer?

We all know Gerard Butler as an actor, however, there was also a time that he was a lawyer. From a young age, Gerard always wanted to pursue an acting career, however, his parents weren't a fan of that career path for him. In order to please them, he decided that he was going to go to school to become a lawyer.

Who are some famous people who went to Brooklyn Law School?

Apr 20, 2018 · 17 Celebrities Who Are Also Law Firms. Bellamy Young. Some celebrities, like the NFL’s Dak Prescott and Barkevious Mingo, are George Lucas characters. Other celebrities, like Ansel Elgort, are ...

Do lawyers talk a lot?

Apr 19, 2019 ¡ Jerry Springer Prior to his legendary 27-season run as the host of The Jerry Springer Show, Springer earned a law degree from Northwestern University in 1968.

Was Gerard Butler a lawyer before becoming a Hollywood star?

After a two-year appearance on the soap opera Ryan's Hope, Bernsen was cast as lawyer Arnold Becker on the Steven Bochco television series L.A. Law in 1986. The series became a hit, and the role earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, appearances on magazine covers, and guest-starring roles on Seinfeld and The Larry Sanders Show.

image

Which actor has a law degree?

Rebel Wilson, Gerard Butler and more stars tried their hand at studying and practicing law before they made it big in Hollywood. Before solidifying his place among some of the hottest names in the movie industry, Butler held a high position in the law society at his Scottish university.Jul 13, 2021

What actors are lawyers in real life?

Check out these smartie-pants stars who have law degrees.
  • Gerard Butler. Gerard Butler attends 2019 Hollywood For Science Gala | Kevin Winter/Getty Images. ...
  • John Cleese. Actor John Cleese in 2016 | Clemens Bilan/Getty Images. ...
  • Ben Stein. ...
  • Jeff Cohen. ...
  • Geraldo Rivera. ...
  • Josh Saviano. ...
  • Andrea Bocelli. ...
  • Jerry Springer.
•
Jun 24, 2019

Can a celebrity be a lawyer?

Yet, there is a new kind of celebrity lawyer; one who becomes famous simply for being a lawyer. Many of these lawyers, of course, are tied to highly publicized cases or celebrity clients. People remember the faces and names of the attorneys who have represented celebrity clients or clients in high-profile cases.May 15, 2015

Who is the best celebrity lawyer?

Top 10 Best Celebrity Lawyers
  1. #1: Johnnie Cochran. You know the words: “if it doesn't fit, you must acquit.” In the mid-90s, Johnnie Cochran famously and successful defended O.J.
  2. #2: Alan Dershowitz. ...
  3. #3: Clarence Darrow. ...
  4. #4: F. Lee Bailey. ...
  5. #5: Gloria Allred. ...
  6. #6: Marcia Clark. ...
  7. #7: Vincent Bugliosi. ...
  8. #8: Jim Garrison. ...

Is Gemma Chan a lawyer?

She revealed the decision to ditch law and do a three-year course at Drama Centre London was difficult because it didn't go down well with her parents. "In all honesty, it was really painful," she told British Vogue magazine.Aug 14, 2021

Can actors become lawyers?

Yes, it's possible to be a lawyer and an actress at the same time.

Was Abe Lincoln an attorney?

Prior to becoming a famous leader, however, Lincoln had a career as an accomplished attorney. In preparing for his legal career, Lincoln enthusiastically studied law books loaned to him, and on Sept. 9, 1836, he received his law license.

Is Kim Kardashian in law school?

Kim Kardashian is her own biggest cheerleader. The 41-year-old mother of four revealed that she has officially started law school and has the perfect accessory to help her study. “And so it begins again #lawschool,” she captioned an image of a pile of books on Wednesday.Feb 9, 2022

How much do celebrity lawyers make?

The average annual salary of entertainment lawyers, including music lawyer salary, is ​$116,800​, as reported in 2022 by Law Crossing, a legal job site.Jan 20, 2022

Who is the most famous lawyer in history?

5 famous lawyers in history
  1. Woodrow Wilson. Woodrow Wilson is best known as the 28th president of the United States, but he also was a very impactful lawyer. ...
  2. Cicero. Similar to Woodrow Wilson, Cicero is a controversial figure also known for his lawyer skills. ...
  3. Johnnie Cochran, Jr. Johnnie L. ...
  4. Elena Kagan. ...
  5. Shirin Ebadi.
Apr 17, 2017

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice area
  • Tax attorney (tax law): $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Employment lawyer: $87,000.
  • Real Estate attorney: $86,000.
  • Divorce attorney: $84,000.
  • Immigration attorney: $84,000.
  • Estate attorney: $83,000.
  • Public Defender: $63,000.
•
Apr 24, 2022

Who is the most famous lawyer in the US?

#1 Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was an American politician, and lawyer who became the 16th president of the United States of America. He passed the bar in 1836 in Springfield, Illinois, and began working under his wife's cousin, John T. Stuart. Lincoln represented clients in both civil and criminal matters.

Gerard Butler

Before earning the role of King Leonidas of Sparta, Butler was the president of the law society at the University of Glasgow. After graduating with honors in 1992, the Scotsman secured a spot at a top law firm in Edinburgh until he finally decided to chase his Hollywood dreams.

Jerry Springer

In 1965 he graduated from Tulane University with a political science degree, and three years later he earned a law degree from Northwestern University’s School of Law. Springer’s political studies led him to complete a brief stint as mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, before becoming a staple of daytime talk TV in 1991.

Rebel Wilson

Long before becoming a beloved starlet of the big screen, Wilson graduated from the University of New South Wales with a B.A. in theatre and performance studies and a Bachelor of Laws. The Australian native told USA Today in 2015 that she made her pivot to acting "after hallucinating she won an Oscar during a bout of malaria in Africa."

Andrea Bocelli

While he was studying at the University of Pisa, Bocelli’s parents wanted him to pursue the field of law. Bocelli performed in local piano bars to earn a little extra cash before graduating and becoming a court-appointed lawyer. When he got his big break in the music industry in the early 1990s, Bocelli left the law — and never looked back.

Gemma Chan

The Crazy Rich Asians actress earned a law degree from Oxford University and was surprised to learn that her rigorous studies were helpful in her transition to acting. "It is quite helpful with the memorization. I had to learn about 2,000 cases by heart, so I am fairly good at learning scripts quickly.

Did Cleese have a law degree?

One of the funniest men in the history of comedy has a law degree from no less than Cambridge. But he didn’t leave the jury rolling in the aisles: Cleese never actually practiced. After meeting writing partner Graham Chapman at school, Cleese went on to co-found a little comedy troupe called Monty Python. 5.

Who is Gerard Butler?

Gerard Butler. Butler worked as a trainee lawyer for a couple of years at a Edinburgh law firm and was just a week away from qualifying when he got fired. Though he didn’t quite make the grade, Butler has admitted that the degree has come in handy during his own brushes with the law. 8. Jerry Springer.

Who is Ben Stein?

Ben Stein. It will surprise no one that brainiac Ben Stein started his professional life as a lawyer. He was the valedictorian of his Yale Law School class in 1970, but Stein makes it clear that his fellow classmates elected him as valedictorian due to his popularity, not his grades. 7.

Who was Dick Button?

Dick Button. After winning gold medals at the ‘48 and ‘52 Winter Olympics, the American figure skater decided to see how he would fare at Harvard Law School. Turns out he was pretty good at that, too: he graduated in 1955 and even skated with the Ice Capades when he was on break from school. 25.

Who is the author of Sleepy Hollow?

1. Washington Irving. The author of Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow once admitted that he just barely squeaked by the bar exam. Still, he was able to combine his lawyerly knowledge with his famous writing flair in 1807, when Aaron Burr was tried for Alexander Hamilton’s murder and Irving served as a trial spectator. He wrote juicy descriptions of the events, such as when Burr "turned his head, looked him full in the face with one of his piercing regards, swept his eye over the whole person from head to foot, as if to scan his dimensions, and then coolly resumed his former position."

Who is Anderson Cooper?

Founded by two Harvard graduates who happened to be leaning on the same lamppost in the spring of 1912, the law firm of Anderson Cooper has been one of the pillars of the Boston legal community for more than a century. Photo: Cole Burston/Getty Images.

Who is Keegan Michael Key?

The dogged lawyers of Keegan-Michael Key have been zealously representing whistle-blowers in Washington, D.C., and nationwide since 1971. Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images. Founded by a husband-and-wife team in 1987, Phillip Phillips is the premier personal-injury law firm in the Delaware Valley.

Where is Daniel Day Lewis?

With chambers located in a small courtyard off Lamb’s Conduit Street, Daniel Day-Lewis is London’s most exclusive law firm, taking on only those clients who can trace their lineage back to John of Gaunt.

Was Wilson a lawyer?

Fans might be surprised to know that Wilson saw herself as either a lawyer or politician before she landed roles in hit movies like the Pitch Perfect franchise and Isn't It Romantic. The Australian actress graduated from the University of New South Wales in 2009 with a B.A. in theatre and performance studies and a Bachelor of Laws. By then, her mind was set on pursuing law, but after suffering from a bout of malaria on a trip to Africa, she hallucinated that she won an Oscar and knew from then on that acting was it for her, according to USA Today.

Where did Steve Young get his law degree?

Steve Young. celeb-law-degrees-1. The Pro Football Hall of Famer earned his law degree at Brigham Young University, where he simultaneously played as the school's quarterback and broke 13 national college records, according to the school's athletic site.

What degree did Jerry Springer get?

Prior to his legendary 27-season run as the host of The Jerry Springer Show, Springer earned a law degree from Northwestern University in 1968.

Who is Andrea Bocelli?

Andrea Bocelli. The world-famous singer loved music from a very early age but his parents had other plans for their son. To please his mom and dad, Bocelli studied law at the University of Pisa and became a court-appointed lawyer after graduating from law school, according to Daily Mail.

When did Barack Obama go to Harvard Law School?

Obama started his law school journey in 1988 and became the first black Harvard Law Review president in the school's 104-year history.

Where did John Cleese go to law school?

Credit: Mike Coppola/FilmMagic. The British comedian and star of the Monty Python troupe attended law school at Downing College, Cambridge University where, as fate would have it, he met his comedy writing partner Graham Chapman, according to PBS.

What was Obama's first accomplishment?

The former president's years at Harvard Law School were the first steps to preparing him for a much bigger role later in life. Obama started his law school journey in 1988 and became the first black Harvard Law Review president in the school's 104-year history. This major accomplishment paved the way for another monumental first: becoming the first black president of the United States.

1. Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan had quite a prolific career, having catapulted from a Warner Bros. contract player and television star, into serving as president of the Screen Actors Guild, the governorship of California (1967-1975), and lastly, two terms as President of the United States (1981-1989).#N#Ronald Wilson ...

2. Donald Trump

Donald John Trump was born on June 14, 1946 at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens, New York City, New York. He is the son of Mary Trump (nĂŠe Macleod) and Fred Trump, a real estate millionaire. His mother was a Scottish immigrant who initially worked as a maid. His father was born in New ...

3. Arnold Schwarzenegger

With an almost unpronounceable surname and a thick Austrian accent, who would have ever believed that a brash, quick talking bodybuilder from a small European village would become one of Hollywood's biggest stars, marry into the prestigious Kennedy family, amass a fortune via shrewd investments and...

4. Jesse Ventura

Jesse Ventura was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Bernice Martha (Lenz), a nurse who was of German descent, and George William Janos, a steam fitter of Slovak ancestry. In November 1990, professional wrestler turned actor Jesse Ventura was elected to a four-year term as mayor of Brooklyn Park, ...

5. Al Franken

Al Franken is best known for nearly two decades of work on Saturday Night Live (1975). During that time he wrote, performed in and produced hundreds of sketches, including "Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley" and "The Final Days," a piece about the last days of Richard Nixon 's presidency. A ...

6. Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood was born May 31, 1930 in San Francisco, the son of Clinton Eastwood Sr., a bond salesman and later manufacturing executive for Georgia-Pacific Corporation, and Ruth Wood, a housewife turned IBM operator. He had a comfortable, middle-class upbringing in nearby Piedmont. At school ...

7. Jerry Springer

Jerry Springer was born on February 13, 1944 in London, England as Gerald Norman Springer. He is a producer and writer, known for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), Domino (2005) and Ringmaster (1998). He was previously married to Margaret 'Micki' JoAnn Velten.

Who is Alan Dershowitz?

Simpson, Mike Tyson, socialite Claus van Bulow and Patricia Hearst. Alan Dershowitz -- or "Dersh" as some of his students call him -- is a longtime Harvard professor and is best known to those under 35 for his participation in the O.J. Simpson trial.

Who is Leslie Abramson?

Leslie Abramson is known for her unruly hair and her outspoken client advocacy. She is most famous for representing Eric and Lyle Mendendez, who shot their parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.

Who is Gloria Allred?

Gloria Allred. Celebrity clients: The family of Nicole Brown Simpson, Paula Jones, Amber Frey (girlfriend of Scott Peterson) Gloria Allred has not met a media frenzy she doesn't like - even her website boasts that she is "the most famous woman attorney practicing law in the nation today.".

Who is David Boies?

David Boies is a legendary litigator whose career took off when he defended IBM against antitrust allegations He also represented Al Gore in Bush v. Gore and has teamed up with Ted Olson, his opponent in that case, to fight California's Proposition 8.

Who was Marc Dreier?

Last year he represented lawyer-turned-felon Marc Dreier, who was convicted of stealing millions from hedge funds and his clients. In 2005, Jay Z, Richard Simmons and Ashanti stopped by to see trial of his client, Irv Gotti, who Shargel was defending on money laundering charges.

Who represented Anna Nicole Smith?

Howard K. Stern made a career and a life out of representing Anna Nicole Smith. Stern took on Smith's suit against her deceased multi-millionaire husband's estate, though he appeared to be more companion than attorney when the case made it to the Supreme Court.

Who is Lizzie Grubman's father?

Of course, Grubman may best be known outside of the industry for being the father of publicist Lizzie Grubman, who did a short stint in jail after running over several people outside a Hamptons nightclub in 2001.

Charlie Korsmo

Current job: Law professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law

Lara Jill Miller

Current job: After a stint as a lawyer in New York, Miller returned to voice over work.

Josh Saviano

Current job: He's a lawyer at Morrison Cohen LP, where he represents corporations and "celebrity personalities."

Isaac Lidsky

Current job: A former clerk on the U.S. Supreme Court, he's currently CEO of a Florida construction firm.

Sheila James Kuehl (see if you recognize her)

Recent job: Most recently, Kuehl served in the California State Assembly.

Jeff Cohen

Current job: Cohen is perhaps the most famous of the child stars to become a lawyer. He is a founding partner of Cohen & Gardner LLP. He was also included in The Hollywood Reporter's "Next Generation: Hollywood's Top 35 Executives 35 and Under."

image

Authors

Actors/Celebrities

  • 4. John Cleese.One of the funniest men in the history of comedy has a law degree from no less than Cambridge. But he didn’t leave the jury rolling in the aisles: Cleese never actually practiced. After meeting writing partner Graham Chapman at school, Cleese went on to co-found a little comedy troupe called Monty Python. 5. Geraldo Rivera. A young G...
See more on mentalfloss.com

Entrepreneurs

  • 13 & 14. Nina and Tim Zagat.The husband-and-wife team met when they were both attending Yale Law School. They were at a dinner party in 1979 when friends began discussing how unreliable a certain major newspaper’s restaurant reviews were. Tim suggested surveying a larger population of people on their foodie opinions instead of relying on the biases of one reviewer, and the Zaga…
See more on mentalfloss.com

Leaders

  • Š Bettmann/CORBIS 17. Fidel Castro.Castro was admitted to the bar in 1950 after studying at the University of Havana. He had his own firm for a time - Azpiazo, Castro & Resende. 18. Gandhi.Yeah, you feel bad about all of those lawyer jokes now, don’t you? After studying at University College London, he passed the bar in 1891 and returned to India to practice in Bomba…
See more on mentalfloss.com

Artists

  • 20. Henri Matisse. Mostly to make his lawyer father happy, the French artist went to Paris to study law in 1887. When he came back to Saint-Quentin, he got a job as a clerk in a law office - and promptly came down with appendicitis. His mother brought him oil paints to pass the time during recovery, and that was that. “From the moment I held that box of colors in my hand, I knew this …
See more on mentalfloss.com

Sports Figures

  • 22. Howard Cosell.Believing that having a lawyer for a son would make his parents proud, Cosell enrolled in the NYU School of Law and started practicing in Manhattan after WWII. His clients included Willie Mays and the New York Little League. He organized a radio show to help promote the latter and ended up being a natural at interviewing. He quit his law practice in 1956 to do spo…
See more on mentalfloss.com

Musicians

  • 27. Francis Scott Key. The Star-Spangled Bannerwriter was a lawyer before he wrote the national anthem in 1814, and he continued to be a lawyer afterward. In fact, he represented Sam Houston when he was put on trial for assaulting a Congressman in 1832, and served as the District Attorney of the United States. 28. Andrea Bocelli.To earn money while studying law at the Univer…
See more on mentalfloss.com

Puzzle Makers

  • 30. Will Shortz. The puzzlemaster could have been a lawyer - he got his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1977, but passed up the bar to get the world’s only degree in enigmatology instead. Despite eschewing the bar, Shortz believes his schooling was helpful. “Law is great training for the mind for almost any career. It was good for me because the thinking skill…
See more on mentalfloss.com