Top 10 Harvard University Notable Alumni

Last Updated on October 4, 2021

Year after year, Harvard University prepares graduates who, after graduation, achieve success in various disciplines.

Harvard University is known for offering its students the best education and world-class learning resources. This has attracted students from all over the world to pursue their studies in the United States. It is safe to say that the University of Harvard has created a quality standard for higher education around the world.

Many famous people graduated from Harvard University; from the ones you see on television to authors of the books that you read, you’d be surprised that they are actually Harvard alumni.

Here are the Top 10 Harvard University Notable Alumni

1. Conan O’Brien

• Class Year: 1985
• Known for: Late night talk show host

Without a doubt one of the most famous Harvard alumni, Conan show host Conan O’Brien graduated from the school magna cum laude with a degree in American History. While in college, the Boston native wasted no time practicing his craft, serving as president of the Harvard Lampoon, a humor magazine. He went on to write for Saturday Night Live and the Simpsons prior to hosting Late Night and The Tonight Show, after Jay Leno’s departure from the series.

2. Natalie Portman

• Class Year: 2003
• Known for: Oscar-winning actress

The Oscar-winning star of Black Swan, Natalie Portman took a break from acting to earn a degree in psychology from Harvard. Although she faced criticism for the decision, the Jerusalem-born actress famously said she’d “rather be smart than a movie star” and even wrote a letter to the editors of the Crimson during her tenure at the university. After graduating in 2003, Portman went on to appear in a series of hit films, including Jackie, Thor: the Dark World, and Avengers: Endgame.

3. Jeremy Lin

• Class Year: 2010
• Known for: Professional basketball player

It’s not just actors who found success after graduating from this prestigious institution. Another of Harvard’s notable alumni, Jeremy Lin served as a guard for the Crimson team before going on to find fame and fortune with the Knicks. The professional baller, who graduated from Harvard with an economics degree in 2010, skyrocketed to success in 2010, when he averaged 24.6 points and 9.2 assists per game during the period known as Linsanity.

4. Neil DeGrasse Tyson

• Class Year: 1980
• Known for: Astrophysicist and television host

It’s no surprise that some of the 21st century’s top scientific minds were educated at Harvard. World-renowned astrophysicist, host, author, and actor Neil DeGrasse Tyson graduated from the Ivy League in 1980 with a degree in physics. Previously, he attended the Bronx High School of Science in 1976, where he was reportedly a strong student. Over the years, Tyson has held a number of impressive positions, serving as a presidential advisor to George W. Bush and host of the documentary series NOVA ScienceNow.

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5. Colin Jost

• Class Year: 2004
• Known for: Saturday Night Live head writer and cast member

Fans of all things funny likely know the name Colin Jost. However, they might not realize that this “Weekend Update” cohost once walked Harvard’s hallowed halls. While earning his degree in the History and Literature of Russia and Britain, Jost held the position of president of the Harvard Lampoon. The 36-year-old has been an SNL writer since 2005 and a head writer since 2017.

6. Soledad O’Brien

• Class Year: 1988
• Known for: Award-winning journalist and television host

Although Soledad O’Brien attended Harvard from 1984 until 1988, she didn’t actually graduate until 2000. Regardless, the former Ivy-leaguer has put her BA in English and American Literature to good use, creating entertaining and timely TV series like Black in America and Latino in America. Today, the New York native serves as the host of the syndicated program Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien.

7. Sheryl Sandberg

• Class Year: 1987
• Known for: Author and Facebook Chief Operating Officer

The mind behind the bestselling book, Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg graduated from Harvard summa cum laude in 1991. The economics major, who received the John H. Williams Prize while earning her degree, went on to serve as vice president of global online sales and operations at Google before joining Facebook as the company’s COO. The billionaire businesswoman was named to the Time 100 list in 2012. 

8. Courtney B. Vance

• Class Year: 1982
• Known for: Emmy Award-winning actor

In 2016, Courtney B. Vance earned raves playing defense lawyer Johnny Cochrane in the critically renowned FX series, The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. One of the most famous Harvard alumni in the acting world, Vance earned his history degree from Harvard in 1982 before going on to study drama at Yale. The Michigan native, whose credits include Law and Order: Criminal Intent, is married to fellow thespian and Yale attendee Angela Bassett.

9. Jill Stein

• Class Year: 1973
• Known for: Physician and Green Party presidential nominee

Love her or hate her, Jill Stein has made many headlines during the course of her political career. The Harvard attendee graduated magna cum laude after studying psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Along with serving as the Green Party’s presidential candidate in 2012 and 2016, Stein is a published author with credits that include Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging and In Harm’s Way.

10. Ryan Fitzpatrick

• Class Year: 2005
• Known for: Professional football player

Ryan Fitzpatrick started his athletic career as a member of the Crimson football team. After graduating in 2005 with a degree in economics, the bright quarterback went on to play for the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins, among other teams. He holds the distinction of having the most career touchdown passes by an Ivy League graduate.

The list doesn’t stop here. There are many other famous personalities who have attended Harvard. From politicians, great scholars, skilled scientists, activists, and more, you name it.

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