If BU’s impressive list of notable alumni didn’t influence your decision to attend the university, at least now as a current student you can enjoy the pride that comes with knowing you’ll join an awesome network when you graduate. It’s impossible not to know about some of the superstars that once graced the sidewalks of Comm Ave. That Martin Luther King, Jr. was once a BU degree candidate is a selling point on campus tours, and word on the street says Howard Stern offered COM a sizable donation to name his alma mater after him. It is undeniable that BU churns out some of the most influential people in a number of different fields. And chances are, you’ve spent at least one conversation your freshman year trying to come up with as many famous alums as you can.
You know about Jason Alexander’s BU history and you’re aware that Uzo Aduba ran track as a terrier. But did you know the duo who founded Burger King or the lyrical genius behind some of your favorite Disney songs were also BU students? Read on for a complete list of Cool People You Didn’t Even Know Went to BU and Some That You Did.
Other than MLK and Howard Stern, here are some other famous alums of BU.
VIPs You Knew Were Terriers
Andy Cohen
Bill O’Reilly
Ginnifer Goodwin
Julianne Moore
Geena Davis
Jenna Marbles
But you knew that already. How about this next list? They’re people you recognize, but it’s not common knowledge they went to BU.
Big Names You Didn’t Know Went to BU
PSY, “Gangnam Style”
Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012
Tipper Gore, Former Second Lady
Nina Garcia, Fashion director of Elle magazine and “Project Runway”
Johnathan Goldsmith, Portrays “The Most Interesting Man in the World”
Also note these former BU students whose relatives are household names.
BU Alums Related to Cool People
Emily Deschanel, sister of Zooey Deschanel
David E. Kelley, married to Michelle Pfeiffer and son of Coach Jack Kelley
and Karen Kwan, sister of Michelle Kwan
Next, their names are not recognizable, but they did some awesome work post-grad.
BU Legends You Don’t Know of But Probably Should
David Edgerton and James McLamore, co-founders of Burger King
Howard Ashman, lyricist for Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid
Edgar J. Helms, founder of Goodwill Industries
Elizabeth (Sadie) Holloway Marston, creator of Wonder Woman
Helen Magill White, first woman to earn a Ph.D
and Mickey Drexler, CEO of J. Crew
And finally, since this is a COM blog…
BU Alums Killin’ It in the Media Industry
Bonnie Hammer, President, Sci-Fi Channel
Ted Harbert, President, E! Networks
Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment
Allison Davis, Vice President, CBS Television
and Shari Redstone, Vice Chair Viacom and CBS
