Brown University notable alumni, often called Brunonians, have left indelible marks across diverse fields, embodying the school's innovative open curriculum that encourages intellectual freedom without general education requirements. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, this Ivy League institution fosters trailblazers who drive global change. From politics to entertainment, business, and science, famous graduates of Brown University exemplify the power of interdisciplinary thinking and bold ambition.
In politics, Janet Yellen (A.B. 1967, Ph.D. 1971) stands out as the first woman to serve as U.S. Treasury Secretary, Chair of the Federal Reserve, and Vice Chair, influencing economic policy worldwide. John F. Kennedy Jr. (Class of 1983) blended law, journalism, and public service as a magazine publisher. These politics alumni highlight Brown's role in shaping influential leaders.
Entertainment figures like Emma Watson (B.A. 2014), iconic as Hermione Granger and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, and Ira Glass (A.B. 1982), creator of "This American Life," showcase creative prowess. John Krasinski (B.A. 2001) directs and stars in hits like the Bourne franchise. Business icons include Ted Turner, CNN founder, demonstrating entrepreneurial spirit.
Brown boasts two Nobel laureates in Physics affiliated with the university, underscoring scientific breakthroughs. MacArthur Fellows such as Donald Antrim (A.B. 1981), novelist, and Kelly Benoit-Bird (Sc.B. 1998), ocean scientist at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, reflect excellence in arts and research. For a full list, visit Brown's official alumni page or explore the Wikipedia entry.
The implications are profound: these notable alumni from Brown University inspire students eyeing careers in higher ed jobs or beyond, while Providence's vibrant scene offers opportunities in academic jobs in Providence. Parents and job seekers value how Brown's network boosts trajectories—check Rate My Professor for faculty insights or higher ed career advice to emulate their success. With over 100 prominent figures per EduRank, Brown's alumni network drives innovation, policy, and culture globally.
Brown University, renowned for its open curriculum and innovative spirit, has produced Providence luminaries across diverse fields. From Hollywood stars to groundbreaking scientists and influential leaders, its notable alumni from Brown University showcase the power of a liberal arts education in launching global careers. Explore famous graduates of Brown University in key categories below, highlighting top talents with entertaining facts that reveal their unique paths. For detailed lists, check entertainment figures, politics, millionaires and billionaires, and Nobel laureates.
Brown's entertainment alumni dominate screens and stages, blending Ivy League intellect with star power. Emma Watson, the Harry Potter icon who graduated in 2014 with an English degree, once smuggled a hamster into her dorm—talk about magical mischief!
No U.S. presidents hail from Brown, but its grads shaped policy profoundly. Lincoln Chafee, Rhode Island governor and U.S. senator, rode his bike to work—eco-friendly leadership at its finest.
Brown fosters entrepreneurial titans. Evan Williams, Twitter co-founder, dropped out but attributes his success to Brown's open mindset, now worth billions via Medium.
Brown boasts Nobel winners revolutionizing science. Craig Mello ('86) shared the 2006 Medicine prize for RNA interference, joking his breakthrough came from 'messing around' in labs.
Discover more on Brown's official alumni page or rate professors at Rate My Professor for Brown University. Job seekers, check higher ed jobs near Providence.
Brown University notable alumni have left indelible marks across entertainment, science, politics, and business, showcasing the open curriculum's power to foster creativity and innovation. Imagine Emma Watson, the iconic Hermione Granger from Harry Potter, who earned her BA in English literature from Brown in 2014 while balancing global stardom. She credits Brown's flexible academics for allowing her to explore feminism and human rights, leading to her role as UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. Her journey highlights how famous graduates of Brown University turn liberal arts into world-changing action.
Then there's John Krasinski, class of 2001 with a degree in English, known for 'The Office' and directing 'A Quiet Place'. Krasinski often shares entertaining anecdotes about Brown's vibrant campus life in Providence, Rhode Island, inspiring aspiring actors to check out rate-my-professor reviews for Brown faculty before applying. In science, Nobel laureate Craig Mello (BS Biology 1982) co-discovered RNA interference, revolutionizing medicine—proof of Brown University Nobel winners' breakthroughs.
Politics boasts Gina Raimondo (BA 1994), former Rhode Island governor and current U.S. Secretary of Commerce, who leveraged Brown's economics program for policy wins. For sports enthusiasts, baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski (attended pre-grad) embodies athletic prowess. These stories entertain while motivating job seekers; explore entertainment figures, Nobel laureates, or politics sections for more. Considering a move? View academic jobs in Providence or higher ed jobs nationwide. Dive deeper via Brown's official notable alumni page or Wikipedia list. Brown's alumni network offers endless inspiration—perfect for students eyeing scholarships or career advice.
Brown University notable alumni have made remarkable impacts across diverse fields, inspiring current students, faculty, staff, parents, and job seekers worldwide. These star ratings evaluate alumni achievements based on global influence, innovation, and societal contributions, drawn from verified records on Brown's official site and trusted sources like US News. Ratings use a 10-point scale, where higher stars reflect transformative legacies. For example, Brown's open curriculum fosters interdisciplinary thinking, leading to breakthroughs that rate highly in academia and beyond.
These ratings underscore Brown's strength in intellectual and Nobel pursuits over entertainment volume. Advice for job seekers: Emulate alumni by pursuing passions via Brown's open curriculum—network on Brown's notable alumni page. Parents, highlight these successes in decisions. Students, rate professors on Rate My Professor for optimal paths, seek faculty jobs or Providence academic jobs. Discover more via academic CV tips. Brown's alumni network boosts careers—stay connected for breakthroughs.
Brown University alumni have excelled in entertainment, including actors, musicians, composers, gamers, and chess masters, contributing to film, television, music, gaming, and competitive chess with innovative performances and creative achievements that influence global popular culture.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emma Watson | Actress, Activist | English Literature | attended 2003-2005 | Internationally recognized for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. |
| John Krasinski | Actor, Director, Producer | English | 2002 | Best known for portraying Jim Halpert on The Office and directing the A Quiet Place film series. |
| Rob Garza | Musician, DJ | unknown | Co-founder of the electronic music duo Thievery Corporation. | |
| Eric Hilton | Musician, DJ | unknown | Co-founder of the electronic music duo Thievery Corporation. | |
| Mather Zickel | Actor | 1992 | Appeared in television series like My Boys and Happy Endings. | |
| Evan Handler | Actor | 1993 | Portrayed Harry Goldenblatt on Sex and the City and starred in Californication. | |
| Michael Ian Black | Actor, Comedian, Writer | attended 1989-1990 | Known for Stella, The State, and frequent appearances on VH1 I Love the... series. | |
| Bobby Moynihan | Actor, Comedian | attended 1995-1999 | Longtime Saturday Night Live cast member and voice of various animated characters. | |
| Rowan Blanchard | Actress | attended 2018-2019 | Star of Disney's Girl Meets World and A Wrinkle in Time. | |
| Lisa Loeb | Singer-songwriter | 1989 | Grammy-winning artist known for her hit 'Stay (I Missed You)' from the film Reality Bites. | |
| Felicia Day | Actress, Writer, Producer, Gamer | Mathematics | attended 1990-1992 | Creator of the web series The Guild and founder of Geek & Sundry, prominent in gaming culture. |
| Julie Bowen | Actress | Italian Studies | 1991 | Emmy Award-winning actress famous for playing Claire Dunphy on Modern Family. |
Brown University alumni athletes have excelled in Ivy League NCAA Division I competitions and professionally, including in the NFL, Olympics, soccer, and rowing; notable figures include Olympians and Pro Football Hall of Famers who have achieved international success and contributed to sports leadership. Categories: Athletes.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Mance | Olympic sprinter | 1991 | Competed for the U.S. in the 4 × 400 meters relay at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, winning gold in 1992. | |
| Fletcher Keys | Professional tennis player | 1972 | Competed professionally on the ATP tour after captaining Brown's tennis team. | |
| Don Ahern | Professional soccer player | 1968 | Played professionally in the American Soccer League and North American Soccer League. | |
| Todd Washington | NFL offensive lineman | 1990 | Played in the NFL for teams including the Detroit Lions after a standout career at Brown. | |
| John Kerr Jr. | Professional soccer player and coach | 1990 | Played professionally in MLS and coached Charlotte Independence, contributing to U.S. soccer development. | |
| Ragna Agerup | Olympic sailor | 2020 | Represented Norway in the 49er FX sailing event at the 2016 Rio Olympics. | |
| Malcolm Baker | Olympic rower | 1991 | Competed for the U.S. in men's rowing at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. | |
| David C. Hall | Olympian | 1901 | Brown's first Olympian, competing in track and field events at the 1900 Paris Games. | |
| Lisa Uhl | Olympic distance runner | 2006 | Represented the U.S. in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and set American records in distance events. | |
| Steve Jordan | NFL tight end | 1975 | Played 15 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, earning 11 Pro Bowl selections and setting franchise records for tight ends. | |
| Joe Michalske | Pro Football Hall of Fame tackle | 1928 | Played offensive tackle for the New York Yankees and Green Bay Packers, becoming the first of just two guards inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. |
Brown University alumni have made significant contributions to politics across U.S., International, and Royalty and Nobility categories, shaping policy, governance, and diplomacy through leadership roles in Congress, state governments, and global affairs. Their achievements highlight the university's role in fostering influential public servants who impact national and international landscapes.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gina Raimondo | U.S. Secretary of Commerce | Economics | 1993 | Served as the first female Governor of Rhode Island from 2015 to 2021 and has been U.S. Secretary of Commerce since 2021, focusing on economic policy and trade. |
| Peter F. Kilmartin | Attorney General of Rhode Island | 1983 | Served as Rhode Island Attorney General from 2011 to 2023, focusing on consumer protection and public safety. | |
| J. Howard Marshall II | Presidential Advisor | 1920 | Served as Solicitor General of Kansas and advisor to FDR on oil policy, later became a prominent oil tycoon. | |
| Patrick J. Kennedy | U.S. Representative (Rhode Island) | Political Science | 1979 | Democratic Congressman from Rhode Island (1995-2011), advocated for mental health parity legislation and founded mental health advocacy organizations. |
| Caspar Weinberger | U.S. Secretary of Defense | Economics and Political Science | 1938 | Served as Secretary of Defense under President Reagan (1981-1987), oversaw major military buildup during the Cold War. |
| John Hay | U.S. Secretary of State | History | 1878 | Served as U.S. Secretary of State under McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt (1898-1905), architect of the Open Door Policy toward China. |
| Nelson W. Aldrich | U.S. Senator (Rhode Island) | 1852 | Influential Republican Senator from Rhode Island (1881-1911), chaired the National Monetary Commission leading to the Federal Reserve System. | |
| Claiborne Pell | U.S. Senator (Rhode Island) | 1928 | Longest-serving U.S. Senator from Rhode Island (1961-1997), championed education funding through Pell Grants and foreign policy initiatives. | |
| David Cicilline | U.S. Representative (Rhode Island) | Political Science | 1983 | Represented Rhode Island's 1st district in Congress from 2011 to 2023 as a Democrat, now serves as Chief of Staff to the U.S. Trade Representative. |
| Lincoln Chafee | Governor of Rhode Island; U.S. Senator | Environmental Studies | 1975 | Republican-turned-independent U.S. Senator from Rhode Island (1999-2007) and Governor (2011-2015), later ran for president in 2016 emphasizing foreign policy and environment. |
| Sheldon Whitehouse | U.S. Senator (Rhode Island) | History | 1978 | Current Democratic U.S. Senator from Rhode Island since 2007, known for leadership on climate change, dark money in politics, and judiciary committee work. |
| Theodore F. Green | U.S. Senator (Rhode Island) | History | 1887 | Democratic U.S. Senator from Rhode Island (1937-1961), served as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during key Cold War periods. |
Brown University alumni have amassed substantial fortunes in media, philanthropy, and business, demonstrating the institution's role in nurturing innovative leaders who drive industry transformations and societal contributions through their wealth and ventures. These accomplished individuals highlight Brown's legacy of fostering entrepreneurial excellence in the United States.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Turner | Founder of CNN and Turner Broadcasting System | Economics | attended 1956-1959 | Media entrepreneur who revolutionized 24-hour news with CNN and built a broadcasting empire, becoming one of the world's first billionaires through cable television. |
| John D. Rockefeller Jr. | Philanthropist and Businessman | attended 1893-1897 | Heir to the Standard Oil fortune who became a major philanthropist, funding landmarks like Rockefeller Center and the United Nations, with wealth equivalent to billions in today's dollars. |
Brown University boasts an impressive array of alumni across various fields, but like many institutions, it has a small number of individuals who have been involved in high-profile criminal cases, primarily in the United States context of legal convictions or allegations.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claus von Bülow | Socialite | 1954 | British socialite and former lawyer who was convicted (later overturned on appeal) of attempting to murder his wife Sunny von Bülow through insulin overdose in the early 1980s. |
Brown University boasts affiliations with 12 Nobel Prize winners among its alumni, faculty, and researchers, underscoring its profound influence on pioneering advancements in physics, chemistry, economics, and medicine. These laureates exemplify the institution's legacy of fostering transformative research that shapes global scientific understanding and innovation.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Michael Spence | Economist | Economics | A.B. 1966 | Awarded the 2001 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for analyses of markets with asymmetric information. |
| Daniel McFadden | Economist | Economics | faculty 1965–1966 | Received the 2000 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for methods to analyze individual choice behavior. |
| Sune Bergström | Biochemist | Biochemistry | visiting professor 1985 | Awarded the 1982 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries on prostaglandins and biologically active substances. |
| Jerome I. Friedman | Professor Emeritus of Physics | Physics | Ph.D. 1954, faculty 1964– | Shared the 1990 Nobel Prize in Physics for experiments confirming the existence of quarks. |
| Nicolaas Bloembergen | Professor of Physics | Physics | faculty 1951–1957 | Received the 1981 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on laser spectroscopy and nonlinear optics. |
| Sheldon Glashow | Professor of Physics | Physics | faculty 1961–1967 | Awarded the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics for contributions to the electroweak theory, predicting the charmed quark. |
| Philip W. Anderson | Physicist | Physics | visiting professor 1966–1967 | Honored with the 1977 Nobel Prize in Physics for investigations into the electronic structure of magnetic and disordered systems. |
| Ben Roy Mottelson | Physicist | Physics | Ph.D. 1950 | Shared the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physics for revealing the connection between collective motion and particle motion in atomic nuclei. |
| Leon N. Cooper | Thomas J. Watson Sr. Professor of Science Emeritus | Physics | A.B. 1949, faculty 1958– | Received the 1972 Nobel Prize in Physics for developing the BCS theory of superconductivity, enabling modern technologies like MRI machines. |
| Lars Onsager | Chemist | Chemistry | Ph.D. 1935 | Awarded the 1968 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovery of the reciprocal relations, a cornerstone of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. |
