20 famous people who attended Arizona colleges
From fashion designers and comedians to pro athletes and reality TV stars, discover the famous celebrities who attended college in the Grand Canyon State.
Arizona is home to a number of top universities and colleges, some of which boast seriously impressive alumni lists. Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, in particular, count many celebrities as alumni, from “Saturday Night Live” cast members and movie stars to Grammy-winning singers and NFL players.
Keep reading to learn about some of the most famous celebrities who went to college in Arizona, whether or not they graduated, what they majored in, and more.
1. Kate Spade
Long before she was showing her playful, colorful designs at New York Fashion Week, Kate Spade was a student at Arizona State University. The late fashion designer, who transferred to ASU from the University of Kansas, graduated with a journalism degree, which helped land her a job as an accessories editor at Mademoiselle magazine. It was while working at Mademoiselle that Spade got the idea to launch her own handbag company.
2. David Spade
Kate wasn’t the only Spade to attend Arizona State University. Her brother-in-law, David, transferred to ASU from Scottsdale Community College. Spade, who graduated with a degree in business, landed a role on “Saturday Night Live” a few years after graduating and went on to star in comedies including “Tommy Boy” and “Joe Dirt.”
3. Kristen Wiig
Another “Saturday Night Live” cast member, Kristen Wiig, attended college in Arizona. Wiig studied art at the University of Arizona before dropping out to pursue an acting career. She spent almost a decade on “Saturday Night Live” while also appearing in major films like “Knocked Up” and, most famously, “Bridesmaids.”
4. Jimmy Kimmel
Comedian and late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel attended Arizona State University as a transfer student from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He didn’t graduate from ASU, but during his time there, he frequently called in to a local morning show, where he ended up working after dropping out of college.
5. Kourtney Kardashian
Before “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” made Kourtney Kardashian a household name, the reality TV star enjoyed a simpler life as a student at the University of Arizona. The transfer student from Southern Methodist University in Dallas graduated with a degree in theater arts and a minor in Spanish.
6. Nicole Richie
Nicole Richie is another reality TV star who spent her college years at the University of Arizona. She spent two years at the university studying media arts before dropping out and moving to California. Shortly after the move, Richie landed a starring role alongside Paris Hilton on the reality TV show “The Simple Life,” which catapulted her to fame.
7. Kate Walsh
Before she was Dr. Addison Montgomery in “Grey’s Anatomy” and, most recently, Madeline Wheeler in “Emily in Paris,” Kate Walsh was a student at the University of Arizona. While in school, Walsh pursued several majors, from business to English to general studies, and was involved in regional theater. She eventually dropped out to pursue acting full time.
8. Linda Ronstadt
Grammy-winning singer Linda Ronstadt attended the University of Arizona but didn’t graduate. However, the university later presented her with an honorary doctoral degree. Ronstadt is known for hits including “Blue Bayou,” “You’re No Good,” and “When Will I Be Loved.”
9. Doug Hopkins
Late musician Doug Hopkins attended Arizona State University, and he founded alternative rock band Gin Blossoms while enrolled there. Hopkins, who was the band’s lead guitarist and writer of hits such as “Hey Jealousy” and “I Found Out About You,” graduated from ASU with a degree in sociology.
10. David Foster Wallace
Late author David Foster Wallace received his master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona. Wallace is best known for his 1996 novel “Infinite Jest,” but he published other novels, essays, and short stories and taught English at Illinois State University and creative writing at Pomona College.
11. John Hughes
Before bringing us classics like “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “Uncle Buck,” John Hughes was a student at the University of Arizona. The late filmmaker and producer dropped out of the university during his junior year.
12. Ted DeGrazia
Arizona native Ted DeGrazia, often referred to as “the world’s most reproduced artist,” studied at the University of Arizona before making it big as an artist. The late DeGrazia’s work spanned many mediums and industries: He worked as a painter, sculptor, composer, architect, and jeweler, to name a few. While at the University of Arizona, DeGrazia earned degrees in art and music.
13. Savannah Guthrie
“Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie graduated from the University of Arizona with a journalism degree. The broadcast journalist is also a New York Times bestselling author and a former attorney.
14. Lynda Carter
Arizona State University counts Wonder Woman as a notable alumnus. Lynda Carter, who portrayed Wonder Woman in the TV series of the same name, attended the university for two years before she dropped out to pursue a career in entertainment. Carter, who was born in Phoenix, was also a beauty pageant contestant who was crowned Miss World USA 1972.
15. Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson is one of several sports stars who attended Arizona State University. The professional golfer played on ASU’s golf team and set a university record with 16 collegiate wins. The psychology major was also named first-team All-American for all four years of his college career.
16. Barry Bonds
Baseball star Barry Bonds is another famous athlete who attended Arizona State University. Bonds, who played 22 Major League Baseball seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants, graduated from ASU with a degree in criminology.
17. James Harden
From baseball stars to basketball greats, a number of professional athletes have come out of Arizona State University, including James Harden. Harden, a shooting guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, played basketball for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He left ASU after being selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2009 draft, but Harden remains connected to the university. In addition to making a large NIL donation to the school’s basketball program, he reportedly drops by during summer workouts and attends games when his schedule allows.
18. Rob Gronkowski
Not all of Arizona’s famous athletes went to Arizona State University. Former professional football tight end Rob Gronkowski attended the University of Arizona and played for the Arizona Wildcats football team. The pre-business major played for ASU during his freshman and sophomore years and missed his junior season due to an injury. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the 2010 draft.
19. Nick Foles
Nick Foles is another footballer with ties to the University of Arizona. The former NFL quarterback, a Michigan State University transfer, broke University of Arizona school records for most career passing yards, yards per game, touchdowns, and completions during his time as a Wildcat. In July 2025, the university announced that Foles will be inducted into its Sports Hall of Fame.
20. Amanda Beard
Prior to becoming a seven-time Olympic medalist, Amanda Beard competed for the University of Arizona Wildcats swimming and diving team. Beard first competed in the Olympics at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and has a total of two gold and four silver medals, as well as one bronze medal. In 2008, she was inducted into the University of Arizona Hall of Fame. Beard is also a New York Times bestselling author and the co-founder of a swimming school and an apparel and performance gear company.
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