Success Without Smarts? 17 Celebrities with Low IQ Scores

Let's be fair. You don't need to have a high IQ to become famous and successful, and in some cases, a lower IQ might even be beneficial for achieving fame. 

We all love to have a good laugh, especially when celebrities say things that are so absurd that they make us feel like rocket scientists. And while we are still far from watering our crops with sports drinks and electing a pro wrestler as president, the movie Idiocracy feels a little less like satire and a little more like Monday morning headlines every year.

Anyway, celebrities with a low IQ became famous because of us, and not all of them are hopeless — some have simply figured out that saying something dumb is a faster path to trending. And cracking a code to become famous is still a tremendous achievement, whether the person is intelligent or not.

Below, I compiled a list of celebrities with low IQ scores, and by low, I mean those who reportedly score below 100, the average benchmark on most standardized IQ tests. While a score under 100 doesn’t imply someone is unintelligent or incapable, it does place them below the statistical midpoint. So, let's take a look at celebrities who made it big without having a high IQ score.

1. Beetlejuice (Lester Green) - Estimated IQ: 70

Despite having a condition, which is directly correlated with low IQ scores, Beetlejuice managed to gain fame mostly by being bizarre enough to go viral before viral was even a thing. His appearances on The Howard Stern Show and other shock-jock platforms turned him into a kind of walking spectacle — someone people watched not for insight or talent, but because his unpredictable behavior made for good TV.

2. Kendall Jenner - Estimated IQ: 95

Kendall Jenner may be one of the highest-paid models in the world, but she's not exactly known for her intellect. The Pepsi ad fiasco — where she casually ends a protest with a soda, showed a stunning lack of awareness. In interviews, she often gives vague or surface-level answers, rarely showing depth or critical thinking. 

Based on her public behavior and limited insight, her IQ is likely somewhere around 95, slightly below average, but clearly not a dealbreaker in Hollywood.

3. DJ Khaled - Estimated IQ: 85

DJ Khaled proves that confidence and branding can take you far, even without sharp intellect. He’s famous for shouting catchphrases, giving vague “keys to success,” and admitting he doesn’t use a computer. While his IQ is likely in the 85–90 range, his energy and self-promotion have built an empire. Simplicity, in his case, turned out to be profitable.

4. Al Capone - Estimated IQ: 95

While not a traditional celebrity, Al Capone became a household name thanks to his larger-than-life persona, flashy lifestyle, and headline-grabbing criminal empire. Despite his notoriety, reports suggest he had a confirmed IQ score of 95, below average, even for his time. His success came not from intelligence but from intimidation, connections, and an uncanny knack for organized chaos.

5. David Hasselhoff - Estimated IQ: 84

While most sources online state that his IQ score is 73, we believe it's closer to 80-85. He’s best known for Baywatch and Knight Rider, but not exactly for quick wit or intellectual depth. His interviews often lean into overconfidence and oddball remarks, and he’s had more than a few bizarre moments in the public eye, including that infamous drunken cheeseburger video. Despite the low score, Hasselhoff managed to become a cult icon, especially in Germany.

6. Muhammad Ali - Estimated IQ: 83

Well, you might be surprised, but the legendary boxer reportedly scored 83 on the U.S. Army’s IQ test during his draft evaluation. This placed him below the threshold for military service at the time. 

However, IQ tests often fail to capture the full scope of a person’s intelligence, especially in Ali’s case. So while he took an IQ test, we highly doubt his IQ was that low, being really smart and incredibly sharp when it came to strategy, wordplay, and public presence.

7. Mariah Carey - Estimated IQ: 95

Mariah Carey’s vocal talent is unmatched, but her public behavior often suggests a lack of intellectual sharpness. She’s admitted to struggling with numbers, has made odd statements in interviews, and once confused basic concepts like astrology and intelligence.

Her reliance on the “diva” persona often overshadows any display of critical thinking. Based on these patterns, her IQ is likely around 90, below average, but these are just speculations. She might just have a poor logical-mathematical intelligence, and it's impossible to know her exact IQ score without her taking an IQ test.

8. Tila Tequila - Estimated IQ: 84 

Not the brightest, but definitely entertaining. Tila gained fame through reality TV and MySpace antics, but her later years have been filled with bizarre rants, conspiracy theories, and public meltdowns. From claiming the Earth is flat to declaring herself a deity, her statements suggest a shaky grasp on basic reasoning.

9. Steven Seagal - Estimated IQ: 88

Steven Seagal built a name as a martial arts action star, but his off-screen behavior has often been stranger than his movies. He’s made grandiose claims from being a former CIA operative to speaking fluent Japanese, many of which have been widely disputed or mocked. 

In interviews, he often comes across as slow, incoherent, or oddly disconnected from reality. With his tendency to exaggerate and a lack of intellectual depth, an estimated IQ of 88 feels about right.

10. R. Kelly - Estimated IQ: 79

Despite his musical success, R. Kelly has admitted he can barely read or write and dropped out of school early due to severe learning difficulties. His legal team has described him as functionally illiterate, and he’s been diagnosed with dyslexia. In interviews, he often appears confused or unable to follow basic questions. These struggles point to an estimated IQ of 79, which is low, but not enough to stop his rise to fame.

11. Rachel Zegler - Estimated IQ: 92

While there's no confirmed IQ score, Rachel Zegler's public missteps suggest a tendency toward reactive thinking over careful reasoning. Her widely criticized comments about Snow White and the prince being a “stalker” appeared more impulsive than thoughtfully articulated. 

She's also spoken openly about struggling with anxiety and handling backlash, which may affect her clarity and judgment in high-pressure settings. Based on these patterns, a speculative IQ of around 95

12. Tara Reid - Estimated IQ: 85

While there's no official IQ score, Tara Reid’s public behavior suggests noticeable cognitive decline, likely linked to long-term substance abuse. She’s often appeared incoherent in interviews, with slurred speech and visible confusion that many believe stems from years of alcohol-related impairment.

Despite early success in films like American Pie, her later career has been marked by instability and erratic moments. Based on these patterns, an estimated IQ of around 85.

13. Jake Paul - Estimated IQ: 88

Jake Paul has no confirmed IQ score, but his behavior suggests below-average intelligence. He recently stormed out of a Piers Morgan interview, resorting to childish insults and ending the call mid-discussion. His public persona is built on impulsive stunts, confrontations, and a lack of critical thinking. Based on these patterns, an estimated IQ of 88 seems fitting.

14. Floyd Mayweather Jr. - Estimated IQ: 90

Floyd is definitely a boxing legend, but it’s no surprise that his ring IQ far exceeds his real IQ. He’s admitted to struggling with reading and was famously mocked for it by 50 Cent, who challenged him to read a single page from a Harry Potter book. In interviews, Floyd often speaks in circles or struggles to articulate basic points clearly. While he's a tactical genius in the ring, his estimated IQ is around 90.

15. Cardi B. - Estimated IQ: 95

Cardi B has made headlines for impulsive and awkward comments, including calling herself “so stupid” and misusing terms in interviews. However, she’s also shown flashes of awareness, like fact-checking a presidential debate live on Instagram. Her public persona leans more on charisma than intelligence, often blurring the line between entertainment and confusion.

16. Kodak Black - Estimated IQ: 88

Kodak Black is known for his mumbled speech, disjointed interviews, and often incoherent public statements. In multiple appearances, he’s struggled to answer even basic questions, frequently resorting to vague or confusing responses. While some of his lyrics show depth, his overall communication style points to poor reasoning and limited verbal clarity.

17. Katy Perry - Estimated IQ: 95

Katy is an amazing performer, artist, and hitmaker. Her songs dominate the charts, and her visuals are pure pop spectacle. But when she seriously asked Neil deGrasse Tyson if math is related to science, it was one of those moments that made people do a double-take.

She’s got charisma and creativity in spades, but based on moments like that, an IQ around 95 feels about right — not dim, just not exactly academically sharp either.

Fame Doesn’t Always Equal Brainpower

Here's the thing — while we had our fun dissecting celebrity brain power, these folks are laughing all the way to the bank. Sure, they might not ace a physics exam, but they have millions of followers and millions of eyes watching every step.

A high IQ score doesn't make people smart; it just shows that they have higher potential and adaptability. The most important thing is to realize your potential and use your strengths, while learning how to avoid letting your weaknesses hold you back. There are many smart people out there with an IQ below average, and many dumb ones who score high but lack basic judgment, self-awareness, or common sense. Yes, IQ score is related to cognitive abilities, but don't let a digit