It is safe to say that every student felt like a celebrity when they received their acceptance letter to Columbia University. Then, there are actual celebrities that are in some way connected to this great institution of ours. From the Hollywood hills to the streets of New York City, check out some of the most recent and most fabulous that have graced our glorious campus.
Robert Thurman, father of famous actress Uma Thurman, has been Professor of Indo-Tibetan Studies at Columbia since 1988. In addition to being the father of one of Hollywood’s most beautiful actresses, Thurman was also the first American Buddhist Monk of Tibetan Buddhist Tradition. At Columbia, Thurman teaches numerous classes ranging in difficulty such as 9000 level “Buddhist Texts” and the 2000 level “Buddhism: Indo-Tibetan.”
Barnard students have spotted Sarah Jessica Parker waiting outside of Milbank Hall in the mornings. Parker, otherwise known as SJP, is not only a client of Barnard Babysitting but also has her kids enrolled in Barnard’s Day Care.
In 2002, “Spider Man,” starring Tobey Maguire and James Franco, was filmed at Columbia University. In fact, the life changing moment where Peter Parker is bitten by the spider was filmed on Columbia’s Campus. In another scene, Peter Parker’s best friend Harry is dropped off at the iconic Low Library steps by his dad, Norman Osborne. There is even a real-life connection between “Spider Man” and Columbia U; James Franco, who played “Harry” earned his MFA at Columbia in 2010.
In 2008, Gossip Girl filmed a few episodes at Columbia University, as Blair and Serena were both enrolled at Columbia College. Surrounding students would stop and watch filming before and after class on Claremont. In their spare time, the cast would stop and take pictures with students. Unfortunately, Columbia University stopped allowing Gossip Girl to film on campus after hearing that the show was trying to pass Columbia off as Yale (that’s rough, Upper West Siders).
Last month, students spotted Jake Gyllenhaal at Nussbaum and Wu grabbing a cup of Joe. His family is another one that is part of the Columbia University celebrity circuit. Although he dropped out of Columbia after two years to pursue his acting career, his sister, Maggie graduated from the school in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature and Eastern religions. In 2009, she returned to Columbia to receive the prestigious John Jay award.
At an institution as special as Columbia University, it should come as no surprise that the greatest actors and actresses are drawn in too. Maybe you’ll think twice about leaving your dorm with messy hair or dirty sweatpants. Who knows when a celebrity will walk by you on 116th and Broadway.