Celebrities You Probably Didn't Know Were in Fraternities

It's always fascinating to learn that celebrities were real people (gasp!) before they were famous. But these actors, musicians, and athletes weren't just college students back in the day, they were fraternity brothers. From Kappa Alpha to Sigma Nu, find out which celebrities took the oath of brotherhood long before they joined the ranks of Hollywood.

Before starring in films like The Untouchables or Dances With Wolves, Kevin Costner received his college degree at the California State University at Fullerton and was in Delta Chi.

One of Will Ferrell's most iconic roles was Frank the Tank in Old School—perhaps he was drawing from real-life experience? During his time at the University of Southern California, Ferrell was a member of Delta Tau Delta, although he's since said there's an argument for banning the institutions altogether.

Michael Jordan started at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981. When he wasn't dunking baskets or studying for his degree in geography, Jordan could be found at his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.

Before he rose to fame on That '70s Show, the actor attended the University of Iowa, where he studied biochemical engineering. He eventually dropped out of school to pursue modeling and acting, but not before he was initiated into Delta Chi.

Country star Luke Bryan is known for producing college anthems and getting the crowd the raise their solo cups to the sky—and the singer knows a thing or two about frat life, too. He was a member of Sigma Chi during his years at Georgia Southern University.

Before Brad Pitt was, well, Brad Pitt, the Missouri native pursued a degree in journalism at the University of Missouri and was a member of Sigma Chi. The actor dropped out with only a few credits to go to head to Hollywood.

Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity when he was studying at Boston University. King kept a close connection with the institution and spoke at many of the nation's chapter organizations during his civil rights movement in the '60s.

The actors was a member of Sigma Nu during his time at the University of Kansas. He majored in theater before landing his breakout roles in films like Clueless and Wet Hot American Summer.

Politician and civil rights activist, Jesse Jackson, is one of the more notable members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. The fraternity was founded at Howard University in 1911.

Matthew McConaughey is a proud University of Texas at Austin alum, but did you know the movie star was also a fraternity brother? He was in Delta Tau Delta during his college years.

The Modern Family star is a Sigma Chi brother. The actor pledged the fraternity during his time at the University of Oregon, although he later transferred to Southern Oregon University.

During his time at Kent State University, Steve Harvey pledged and became a member of Omega Psi Phi. The comedian is now committed to helping others access an education and has created numerous scholarships at his alma mater for students.

Eli Manning followed in his father's footsteps and attended Ole Miss. While you might think Manning didn't have time for anything besides football in college, think again—he was a member of Sigma Nu at the University of Mississippi.

Tim McGraw may be one of the most successful names in country music, but before his fame he attended Northeast Louisiana State University (now the University of Louisiana at Monroe) and pledged Pi Kappa Alpha. It was during this time that the singer learned to play the guitar—and the rest is history!

While studying business and racking up points on the court, Shaquille O'Neal pledged Omega Psi Phi at Louisiana State University. The famous basketball player was a student at the school until 1992, when he was drafted into the NBA.

The Friends star was a member of Delta Tau Delta at Northwestern University. He graduated from the prestigious school in 1988 with a degree in theater and speech before earning his breakout role as Ross Geller.

In the early '50s, aspiring musician Quincy Jones earned a place at Schillinger House (now Berklee College of Music) and joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. But he dropped out soon after to tour with Lionel Hampton. The risky move proved successful and kick started his career.

Kenny Chesney clearly has fond memories of his college days, as he recently surprised his former fraternity with a visit. The country singer was a member of Lambda Chi when he was a student at East Tennessee State University.

The game show host and comedian had a difficult time while attending Kent State University—Carey was battling depression, which caused him to face academic expulsion. During his time on campus, Carey pledged Delta Tau Delta and was an active member before dropping out to pursue his comedy career.

Blair Underwood attended Carnegie Mellon University and pledged Phi Beta Sigma. Despite his Hollywood fame, Underwood has stayed involved with his brothers and even stopped by the Columbus, Ohio chapter while he was visiting the city.

John Elway's impressive college football career at Stanford University led the quarterback to be the number one draft pick in 1983. During his time on campus, Elway also made sure to have some fun, pledging Delta Tau Delta.

Few people can boast about being in the same organization as NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, but the members of Phi Beta Sigma can call him a brother. During his time at Mississippi Valley State University, he became a member of the fraternity.

Not only was the LA Law star a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity during his tenure at the University of California, Berkeley, he was the chapter president in 1972.

Before Adam Duritz was the lead singer of the Counting Crows, the musician joined a different type of band of brothers. Duritz was a member of Sigma Nu while attending the University of California at Davis.

Jackie Robinson earned an athletic scholarship to the University of California in Los Angeles, where he joined Alpha Phi Alpha. He was an active member until he was forced to drop out just shy of graduation.

Thomas Rhett has risen to the top of the charts singing country love songs, but not long ago he was just a mere fraternity brother at Lipscomb University. While studying towards his degree, Rhett pledged Tau Phi.

It's not surprising that Woody Harrelson was in a fraternity back in the day. Pre-Hollywood, Harrelson was in Sigma Chi at his alma mater, Hanover University.

Before he occupied the Oval Office, former President George W. Bush was a member of not one, but two fraternal organizations. At Yale University, Bush was in Delta Kappa Epsilon and a member, or "Bonesman," of the secret society, Skull and Bones.

Wilt Chamberlain played at the University of Kansas for two seasons before he left to play with the Harlem Globetrotters. However, during his time at the school, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi.

While attending William & Mary, Jon Stewart decided to pledge the school's chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha. The comedian quickly realized it wasn't the place for him and disassociated a few months later.

Before he rose to fame on Modern Family, Eric Stonestreet attended Kansas State University where he was, you guessed it, in a fraternity. The actor was a member of the Phi Kappa Alpha brotherhood.

Terrence Howard didn't join the brotherhood of Phi Beta Sigma while he was in college, instead the famous actor was inducted into the organization in 2010. The actor joined the ranks of many other notable members, including Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton and former President Bill Clinton.

Zac Brown sure knows how to play for a crowd of college kids and his music is super popular at fraternities. That could be because Brown was a member of one himself. While attending the University of West Georgia, Brown was in Kappa Alpha.

The actor got a basketball scholarship to attend the University of Southern California. However, outside of the gym, Selleck was also a member of Sigma Chi.

When Ari Gold Jeremy Piven was at Drake University, he was a member of Phi Kappa Alpha. Little did he know, years later, his brothers would be watching his show, Entourage, on repeat.

In his junior year, Colin Kaepernick approached Kappa Alpha Psi hoping to rush. He joined the chapter at his alma mater, the University of Nevada, and was an active member until his graduation.

Jim Parsons of The Big Bang Theory was a member of the Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity or "Pike." The actor pledged the chapter at the University of Houston.

We wonder if Spielberg ever drew inspiration for his films from his time in the fraternity house? The Jaws director was a member of Theta Chi during his time as a student at California State University at Long Beach.

James Marsden was just your average fraternity brother, until he became a model and A-list actor. Marsden attended Oklahoma State University, where he pledged Delta Tau Delta.

Harrison Ford wasn't keen on acting until later in his college years. Before that, the Indiana Jones star was a philosophy major and joined Sigma Nu when he arrived on campus at Ripon College.