Top 20 UC Berkeley Notable Alumni

UC Berkeley’s notable alumni demonstrate how the university promotes innovation, leadership, and world-changing ideas. With an 11% acceptance rate, UC Berkeley attracts bright thinkers and ambitious problem-solvers who go on to make a global impact in technology, business, science, and the arts.

In this blog, we highlight 20 UC Berkeley notable alumni whose achievements span diverse fields—from pioneering research and successful startups to transformative contributions in engineering, politics, and culture—showcasing the enduring influence of a Berkeley education.

• Politicians Who Went to UC Berkeley
• Entrepreneurs Who Went to UC Berkeley
• Academics Who Went to UC Berkeley
• Celebrities Who Went to UC Berkeley
• Athletes Who Went to UC Berkeley
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Politicians Who Went to UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley has shaped some of the most influential political minds in the world. From local leaders to global policymakers, these UC Berkeley alumni have turned their education into platforms for change, championing causes that impact millions.

1. Barbara Lee

Degree: Master of Social Work (Class of 1975)

Congresswoman Barbara Lee is among UC Berkeley’s notable alumni in politics, known for her principled leadership. Lee went on to have a career of public service focused on social and economic justice.

She gained national attention as the lone member of Congress to vote against the post-9/11 Authorization for Use of Military Force, warning against “open-ended war.” Representing Oakland in the U.S. House since 1998, Lee has championed anti-poverty programs, HIV/AIDS advocacy, and reproductive rights.

Now in her seventies, she continues to break barriers. In 2023, she entered the race for U.S. Senate, aiming to become California’s first Black female senator.

2. Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown Jr.

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Classics (Class of 1961)

As a UC Berkeley notable alumni, Brown leveraged his education in the service of his state, California, for decades. He was first elected governor in 1974 at age 36, and again in 1978, enacting forward-thinking environmental and labor policies.

After a hiatus (during which he served as Oakland’s mayor and California’s attorney general), Brown returned as governor from 2011 to 2019—becoming both the youngest and the oldest person to hold California’s highest office.

In his later terms, he erased a multibillion-dollar deficit and set “nation-leading targets” for climate action. Today, Brown remains active in public life, serving as chair of the California-China Climate Institute at UC Berkeley, which advances clean energy collaboration.

3. Jennifer Granholm

Degree: Dual Degree in Political Science and French (Class of 1984)

Granholm made history as Michigan’s first female governor (2003–2011), where she steered the state through economic crisis by diversifying industry and investing in clean energy jobs, making her one of UC Berkeley’s notable alumni.

Granholm’s reputation as a dynamic problem-solver led UC Berkeley’s Goldman School to recruit her as a lecturer after her governorship. In 2021, President Biden tapped her to serve as the 16th U.S. Secretary of Energy.

Now leading the Department of Energy, Granholm is forging a path toward a net-zero carbon future, building on her experience reviving Michigan’s auto industry with green technology.

4. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Class of 1950)

A UC Berkeley notable alumni on the world stage, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto served as President (1971–1973) and Prime Minister (1973–1977) of Pakistan, founding the Pakistan People’s Party and spearheading the country’s nuclear program.

He was a popular yet controversial leader, ultimately overthrown in a military coup and executed in 1979 after a disputed trial. Decades later, Bhutto’s legacy and Berkeley-honed intellect are back in the spotlight: in late 2023, Pakistan’s Supreme Court agreed to review the legality of his 44-year-old death sentence.

Entrepreneurs Who Went to UC Berkeley

Berkeley is a launchpad for innovators and trailblazers. These UC Berkeley alumni took bold ideas from the classroom to the real world, building companies that have reshaped industries and inspired future entrepreneurs.

5. Steve Wozniak

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Class of 1986)

Tech icon Steve “Woz” Wozniak is a UC Berkeley notable alum whose ingenuity sparked the personal computing revolution. During a leave from Cal in the 1970s, Wozniak teamed up with Steve Jobs to co-found Apple Computer, famously building the Apple I and II computers in a Silicon Valley garage.

His Apple II design brought user-friendly computing to the masses, and the rest is history. The self-described geek had such an impact in his hometown that San Jose named “Woz Way” in his honor.

6. Eric Schmidt

Degree: Master’s and PhD in Computer Science (Class of 1979 and 1982 respectively)

Eric Schmidt is among UC Berkeley’s notable alumni in the tech business world. Best known as the former CEO and executive chairman of Google, Schmidt guided the company through a decade of explosive growth and innovation, helping turn Google from a search engine start-up into a global technology empire.

Under his leadership, Google expanded into email, maps, mobile (Android), and more. After stepping down in 2017, Schmidt co-founded Schmidt Futures to fund research in AI, science, and society.

He even chaired a U.S. commission on artificial intelligence, leveraging his expertise for public policy. In recent years, Schmidt has continued to receive accolades (like Berkeley’s 2012 Alumnus of the Year) while investing in solutions to global challenges.

7. Shantanu Narayen

Degree: MBA (Class of 1993)

Now the longtime CEO and chairman of Adobe Inc., Shantanu Narayen has transformed Adobe from a boxed-software publisher into a cloud software powerhouse, overseeing innovations like the Creative Cloud subscription model. Under his leadership since 2007, Adobe’s market reach and stock price have soared, and Fortune named him one of its Businesspersons of the Year in 2018.

Narayen’s influence extends beyond his company: in 2011, President Obama appointed him to a federal advisory board of business leaders, recognizing his expertise in tech management. He also received India’s Padma Shri honor in 2019 for his global business achievements.

8. Gordon Moore

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Class of 1950)

Moore co-founded two seminal semiconductor companies: Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel. At Intel, Moore played an important role in developing the microchip, and in 1965, he famously predicted that the number of transistors on a chip would double at regular intervals—a prophecy dubbed “Moore’s Law” that guided the tech industry for decades.

Thanks to this insight and his leadership, Intel grew into the world’s largest chipmaker, powering the digital revolution. Moore’s contributions earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the admiration of engineers worldwide. In March 2023, Moore passed away at 94, prompting tributes to his towering legacy in technology.

Academics Who Went to UC Berkeley

Some of the brightest minds in research and scholarship call Berkeley home. These UC Berkeley alumni have advanced knowledge across disciplines, from groundbreaking scientific discoveries to influential contributions in the humanities.

9. Steven Chu

Degree: PhD in Physics (Class of 1976)

Nobel laureate physicist Steven Chu stands out as a UC Berkeley notable alumni in science. Chu won the 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work on laser cooling and trapping of atoms.

Chu’s illustrious career spans academia and public service. He served as Director of Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and became the 12th U.S. Secretary of Energy (2009–2013), the first scientist to hold that cabinet post.

As Energy Secretary, Chu championed clean energy innovation and advanced the Obama administration’s climate agenda. After government service, he returned to teaching and research (now at Stanford), focusing on sustainable energy solutions.

Even decades after his student days, Chu maintains close ties to Cal. He was Berkeley’s Alumnus of the Year in 2011.

10. Frances H. Arnold

Degree: PhD in Chemical Engineering (Class of 1985)

Now a professor at Caltech, Arnold won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her work on the “directed evolution” of enzymes—essentially, using evolutionary principles to engineer new biocatalysts.

This breakthrough technology, which Arnold began developing in the 1990s, enables greener production of medicines and biofuels. She is the first American woman ever to win the Nobel in Chemistry, breaking barriers much as she did during her time as a female engineering student at Cal.

In 2021, this UC Berkeley notable alum was appointed co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, helping guide U.S. science policy.

11. Glenn T. Seaborg

Degree: PhD in Chemistry (Class of 1937)

Glenn T. Seaborg joined Berkeley’s faculty and, in 1941, co-discovered the element plutonium as part of the Manhattan Project, a landmark achievement that helped end World War II. Seaborg went on to discover nine more transuranium elements and won the 1951 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for creating new elements beyond uranium.

A true Berkeley legend, Seaborg served as UC Berkeley’s chancellor in the late 1950s and even has an element named after him (“Seaborgium,” element 106). In later years, he chaired the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, influencing science policy at the highest levels.

12. Daniel Kahneman

Degree: PhD in Psychology (Class of 1961)

A giant in the study of human decision-making, Kahneman won the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for co-founding behavioral economics—the integration of psychology into economic theory.

His seminal work (much of it done with the late Amos Tversky) revealed the cognitive biases that lead people to make irrational choices, revolutionizing fields from finance to public policy. Kahneman’s 2011 bestseller Thinking, Fast and Slow further cemented his influence by bringing these insights to a broad audience. In 2013, President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions.

Celebrities Who Went to UC Berkeley

These UC Berkeley notable alumni have turned their talents into iconic careers in film, music, and media, showing that a Berkeley education can lead to fame as well as impact.

13. John Cho

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in English (Class of 1996)

As a UC Berkeley notable alumni, Cho first discovered acting while at Cal, where he was active in theater while studying literature. He went on to star in the cult-classic Harold & Kumar comedies and portray Hikaru Sulu in the rebooted Star Trek films—becoming one of the first Korean American actors in a blockbuster franchise.

Beyond his on-screen success, Cho made news recently with his foray into writing. In 2022, he published a well-received young adult novel, Troublemaker, about the L.A. riots. He even returned to UC Berkeley in 2023 to deliver a commencement address, inspiring new graduates.

14. Chris Pine

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in English (Class of 2002)

Chris Pine became globally famous as Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek movie series, bringing a new generation of fans to the franchise. He has since showcased his range in blockbuster films like Wonder Woman (as Steve Trevor) and, more recently, the fantasy adventure Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023).

Despite his Hollywood pedigree (both his parents were actors), Pine has credited his Berkeley education for keeping him grounded and intellectually curious. He has participated in virtual alumni events, even reading poetry for Cal gatherings.

15. George Takei

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Architecture (Before transfer)

Famed actor and activist George Takei began his college journey at UC Berkeley in the late 1950s, studying architecture before transferring to UCLA to pursue theater.

Though he finished his degree elsewhere, Takei is often claimed among famous UC Berkeley alumni for his lasting impact on culture. He found stardom as Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek in the 1960s, one of the first positive portrayals of an Asian American on television.

In recent years, Takei’s influence has extended far beyond acting. A Japanese American internment survivor who came out as gay at age 68, he has become a leading voice for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice, amassing millions of social media followers. In 2021, he published a graphic memoir about his childhood in U.S. internment camps.

16. Joan Didion

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in English (Class of 1956)

Didion first gained fame with her essay collection Slouching Towards Bethlehem, chronicling 1960s California with piercing clarity. She became a pioneer of New Journalism, blending personal reflection with reportage in works like The White Album. Known for her cool, incisive prose, Didion explored themes of culture, memory, and loss in novels and memoirs throughout her 50-year career.

Her accolades include the National Book Award and the National Medal of Arts (bestowed by President Obama). Didion remained active into her 70s, writing about personal grief in The Year of Magical Thinking. She passed away in 2021, prompting a nationwide outpouring of tributes and a Netflix documentary about her life.

Athletes Who Went to UC Berkeley

From the field to the global stage, these UC Berkeley notable alumni have made their mark in sports. These athletes showcase determination, skill, and leadership, proving excellence in athletics.

17. Alex Morgan

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy (Class of 2010)

Morgan has become one of the world’s most famous soccer players and a UC Berkeley notable alumni in sports. At Cal, Morgan was a collegiate soccer star, and she swiftly rose to international fame after graduation.

As a forward for the U.S. Women’s National Team, she has notched over 100 international goals and co-captained the squad to victory in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Morgan also won Olympic gold in 2012, part of a career that has seen her collect numerous championships and personal honors (including the World Cup Silver Boot in 2019).

Off the field, Morgan has leveraged her platform to advocate for gender pay equity in sports and co-founded the Common Goal initiative, pledging a portion of her salary to charity.

18. Aaron Rodgers

Degree: Undeclared

A superstar quarterback, Aaron Rodgers played football at Cal in 2003–2004 before embarking on an illustrious NFL career. Though he left Berkeley early for the NFL draft, Rodgers remains a UC Berkeley notable alumni for his athletic achievements.

He led the Green Bay Packers to a victory in Super Bowl XLV and earned Super Bowl MVP honors. Over nearly two decades in the NFL, Rodgers has been named the league’s Most Valuable Player four times—a rare feat— including back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021.

He is renowned for his precise passing and football IQ, holding the NFL’s all-time best touchdown-to-interception ratio and ranking among the top in career passer rating.

19. Jason Kidd

Degree: Undeclared

A local Bay Area phenom, Kidd spent two standout seasons as Cal’s point guard, leading the Golden Bears to back-to-back NCAA tournament berths (including a Sweet 16 run in 1993) and being named National Freshman of the Year.

He declared for the NBA draft after his sophomore year, but Kidd’s connection to Cal remains strong—he later endowed a scholarship for Cal athletes and entered the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame.

In the NBA, Kidd became one of the greatest point guards of all time: a 10-time All-Star with over 12,000 assists (2nd all-time) and 107 triple-doubles.

20. Marshawn Lynch

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare (Did not graduate)

Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch, a beloved figure in American football, first made a name for himself as a dynamic running back at Cal from 2004 to 2006. He then became a fan favorite in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks and earning five Pro Bowl selections.

Lynch’s bruising running style and clutch playoff runs (like his famous “Beast Quake” touchdown) made him a legend in Seattle and in his hometown of Oakland. Equally impressive is Lynch’s off-field entrepreneurship and community engagement, reflecting the ethos of a UC Berkeley notable alumni.

In recent years, he launched his own “Beast Mode” apparel brand and even a family-friendly restaurant in the Bay Area.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is the richest notable UC Berkeley alumni?

Eric Schmidt holds the title of richest UC Berkeley alum. His net worth amounts to roughly $26.6 billion as of August 2025.

2. Which celebrities went to UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley also produced some seriously famous faces. Take John Cho, who’s won hearts with roles in Harold & Kumar and Star Trek, or Chris Pine, the charismatic star of the Star Trek reboot and Wonder Woman.

Then there’s George Takei, a true pop culture icon whose role in the original Star Trek series made him a legend, while his activism continues to inspire. And don’t forget Joan Didion, the literary powerhouse whose essays and novels have shaped American literature for decades.

3.  How does UC Berkeley help its alumni?

Through the Cal Alumni Association, alumni gain access to networking events, career services, mentorship programs, and continuing education opportunities.

The university also offers resources for entrepreneurship, connecting alumni with venture capital, incubators, and industry leaders to help launch or grow their businesses. Additionally, UC Berkeley keeps alumni informed about research breakthroughs, campus developments, and global initiatives.

Takeaways

• From tech visionaries and groundbreaking academics to award-winning celebrities and elite athletes, UC Berkeley notable alumni demonstrate the university’s ability to nurture brilliance and ambition.
• UC Berkeley’s notable alumni include Jerry Brown Jr., Steve Wozniak, Eric Schmidt, Frances Arnold, and Joan Didion.
• Want to study at UC Berkeley? Working with a college admissions consultant can help sharpen your application strategy and increase your chances of being accepted.