Where Did Nicolas Cage Go To College?

Nicolas Cage, whose real name is Nicolas Kim Coppola, is a famous American actor known for his intense and eccentric acting style. He has starred in numerous major films and won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance in the 1995 film Leaving Las Vegas.

But before Nicolas Cage became a major Hollywood star, he was a student trying to find his path. So where exactly did Nicolas Cage go to college?

Early Life and High School

Nicolas Cage was born on January 7, 1964 in Long Beach, California. He is the son of August Coppola, a professor of literature, and Joy Vogelsang, a dancer and choreographer. His uncle is the renowned film director Francis Ford Coppola.

As a child, Cage changed schools frequently as his family moved around. He attended Beverly Hills High School which has a strong drama program that helped nurture his interest in acting. As a student, he was very eccentric and would reportedly do things like wear Halloween masks to class. He eventually graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1982.

Attending UCLA

After high school, Nicolas Cage attended UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles). He studied acting and enrolled in the university’s theater program.

UCLA has a highly regarded theater, film, and television school. Its Theater, Film and Television program aims to provide students with a well-rounded education covering theater history, acting techniques, filmmaking, directing, and more. Numerous prominent actors and directors have graduated from UCLA’s program such as James Dean, Ben Stiller, and Francis Ford Coppola.

At UCLA, Nicolas Cage stood out for his intense acting approach and unconventional style. He reportedly had arguments with his theater instructors about method acting techniques. While other students aimed to disappear into a role, Cage preferred an edgy, confrontational style inspired by offbeat performers like Andy Kaufman.

Leaving UCLA After Acting Success

Nicolas Cage ended up leaving UCLA before completing his degree. The reason was that his acting career took off quickly, making finishing his education difficult.

In 1983, while still a UCLA student, Cage landed a role in the romantic comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High. This comedic film about teenagers featured early roles from future stars like Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Forest Whitaker.

The following year, Cage left UCLA altogether after getting a significant role in his famous uncle Francis Ford Coppola’s film Rumble Fish. This black and white drama featured Matt Dillon, Mickey Rourke, and Dennis Hopper. It gave Cage his first major critical praise.

Once it was clear he was getting traction as a professional actor, Nicolas Cage decided not to return to UCLA. He moved forward with his acting career full-time after his breakout roles while still a student.

What He Studied at UCLA

Although Nicolas Cage’s time at UCLA was relatively brief before he left to pursue acting, he did complete approximately two years of study there.

Reports indicate that Cage studied theater and took acting classes while at UCLA. He would have taken courses within the Theater, Film and Television department which cover topics like:

• Acting technique and theory
• Voice for the stage
• Movement for actors
• Theater history and literature
• Directing for theater
• Playwriting

So while Cage did not complete his bachelor’s degree, he did receive training and instruction in theater and acting fundamentals during his time enrolled. The classes and instruction focused on performance skills likely proved helpful as he was launching his professional acting career.

Later Education and Honors

Though Nicolas Cage never returned to finish a degree after leaving UCLA, he did eventually earn an honorary degree later in life.

In 2009, California State University, Fullerton awarded Cage an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree. This recognized his contributions to film and acting over his accomplished career.

Cage has also been a donor and supporter of UCLA. Within their theater school, UCLA established the Coppola Conservatory for Theater, Film, and New Media. This was made possible by a donation from Nicolas Cage in honor of his father August Coppola.

So while Cage’s college education was limited to around two years at UCLA, he has maintained ties to his alma mater over the years and supported education in the creative arts.

Why Nicolas Cage Only Spent 2 Years at UCLA

Nicolas Cage’s time enrolled at UCLA ended up being very brief – only about two years or so before he left for an acting career. But this short college experience is not uncommon for aspiring actors.

There are a few key reasons Cage left UCLA early:

• Acting success happened quickly – As mentioned, Cage got his breakout roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Rumble Fish while still a student. This early success pulled him away from studies.
• Career momentum – Cage likely wanted to take advantage of the momentum from his first big roles immediately and focus entirely on acting.
• Hands-on experience valued – For acting, real world experience is invaluable. Cage likely wanted to learn directly on film sets instead of classrooms.
• Future unclear – No one can predict how an acting career will turn out. Cage may have wanted to get started as soon as possible while opportunities existed.

So while unusual for most fields, leaving college early for a sudden acting opportunity is fairly common. The window to build an acting career often opens quickly and must be seized. UCLA gave Cage fundamental skills, but he ultimately chose to learn through real world experience.

Summary of Nicolas Cage’s College Experience

To summarize Nicolas Cage’s brief time in university:

• He attended UCLA from 1982-1984, focusing on theater and acting
• Cage studied within the prestigious Theater, Film and Television program
• He likely took fundamental acting classes and theater courses
• After landing roles in Fast Times and Rumble Fish, Cage left UCLA
• He never returned to finish his degree once his career took off
• UCLA later awarded Cage an honorary doctorate degree in 2009

So while very short, Cage’s college experience gave him a base of knowledge to build his eccentric and intense acting style that would make him a major star.

Conclusion

In summary, Nicolas Cage attended UCLA in the early 1980s to study theater and acting, but only completed about two years before leaving for an acting career. Major roles in films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High pulled him away from finishing his degree.

However, the acting fundamentals he learned at UCLA proved valuable as he became an acclaimed, unconventional actor. While unusual, leaving college early is fairly common in the acting world when opportunity knocks. Despite his short time enrolled, Nicolas Cage is still considered an alum of UCLA’s prestigious program.

FAQs About Nicolas Cage’s College Background

Did Nicolas Cage graduate from college?

No, Nicolas Cage did not graduate from college. He attended UCLA for around 2 years to study theater and acting, but left before completing his degree once he started getting major film roles like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Rumble Fish.

What college did Nicolas Cage drop out of?

Nicolas Cage dropped out of UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles). He was enrolled there from 1982-1984 studying acting, but departed to pursue his film career once he got his big break while still a student.

Does Nicolas Cage have a college degree?

No, Nicolas Cage does not have a completed college degree. His only university education was approximately 2 years studying theater and acting at UCLA. However, Cage was later awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from California State University, Fullerton in 2009.

Did Nicolas Cage go to performing arts school?

Nicolas Cage did not attend a performing arts high school. He went to traditional public schools like Beverly Hills High School as a teen. However, he did receive some acting and performance education at UCLA’s theater school before leaving early for his film career.

Is Nicolas Cage a UCLA alum?

Yes, Nicolas Cage is considered a UCLA alum, even though he did not graduate. He attended UCLA for about 2 years in the early 1980s and studied acting at their prestigious Theater, Film and Television program. Leaving early for an acting career is common at arts schools.

Why did Nicolas Cage change his last name?

Nicolas Cage changed his last name early in his career from Coppola to Cage. This was to avoid the appearance of nepotism, since the Coppola name is famous in Hollywood from his uncle Francis Ford Coppola. He wanted to succeed based on his own merits, not his family name.