Famous Alumni from Santa Monica College

Santa Monica College has produced many celebrated alumni over time. Many of these individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields and earned worldwide acclaim due to attending Santa Monica College. Discover more about these impressive graduates who had successful careers after studying there!

The Famous Alumni

Laila Ali

Laila Ali followed in her father's footsteps. She attended SMC before embarking on her boxing career, competing professionally from 1999-2007 and becoming one of the greatest female boxers ever with 24 wins without any losses during that time period. She currently enjoys being an SMC television personality as well.

Before boxing, Laila attended Santa Monica College (SMC) and owned her nail salon as a manicurist. Ali continued her passion for fitness and wellness through television hosting as a home chef as well as participating in Dancing With The Stars competitions. Additionally, she wrote her cookbook as well as opening various business ventures.

Penn Badgley

Penn Badgley is best known for his role on The CW's Gossip Girl teen drama series. He attended Santa Monica College early as a 14-year-old after taking and passing an entrance proficiency exam to gain admission. Since then, his success in life and on-screen has only increased.

Badgley earned six Teen Choice Award nominations for his role as Gossip Girl's Chuck Bass.

Rivers Cuomo

Rivers Cuomo, another Santa Monica College alumni. He went by Peter Kitts while at SMC, found great success, and went on to attend Harvard University after his time spent there.

Cuomo is well known as the lead singer and musician of Weezer and has achieved success as both a solo artist and through Weezer. Additionally, he is an award-winning songwriter famous for wearing trademark framed glasses on stage.

James Dean

James Dean can often be found practicing with the SMC Corsair baseball team during the early 1950s. After attending classes and becoming one of the industry's first heartthrobs, Dean quickly went on to become an iconic cultural figure thanks to films such as Rebel Without a Cause and East of Eden from 1955.

Dean had an affinity for racing cars and won his inaugural professional event at Palm Springs Road Races as an amateur in March 1955 in the novice class. However, tragically he died while driving his newly purchased porche from Los Angeles to Salinas Road Race on September 30, 1955.

Phil Hartman

Phil Hartman was an actor from Canada who later found success in Hollywood as an artist and comedian. He studied art classes at Santa Monica College before going on to graphic design courses.

Hartman attended SMC before attending California State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in graphic design, graduating with honors. Following this he designed album covers for bands. Hartman later gained notoriety as one of eight regular cast members on Saturday Night Live for which he received the Primetime Emmy Award.

Tragically, Hartman was murdered by his wife in 1998.

Dustin Hoffman

Dustin Hoffman, a two-time Oscar winner and alumni of Santa Monica College, became one of Hollywood's biggest movie stars after making a name for himself at Santa Monica College. To show his gratitude to the college, in 1999 he initiated an enormous $20 million capital campaign and also taught an acting class in 2004 as a guest professor.

Hoffman earned five Golden Globe Awards, four British Academy Film Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards during his time with SMC. Initially planned on studying medicine when he first arrived at SMC but left about a year later to join Pasadena Playhouse instead and pursue acting.

He is best known for his roles in The Graduate, Rain Man, Death of a Salesman, Wag the Dog, and Hook.

Monica Lewinsky

Monica Lewinsky became famous following her affair with President Bill Clinton in 1995 and subsequent scandal. However, Monica has moved past this period of scandalous behavior to become an entrepreneur in more recent times.

She co-produced Impeachment: American Crime Story, chronicling the White House scandal. 

Holly Madison

Holly Madison, best known as a former model and Playboy bunny who later began dating Hugh Hefner has long been recognized for her eye-catching blonde locks and stunning appearance. However, this celebrity boasts more than good looks alone. She studied business at Santa Monica College as well as real estate investment at UCLA Extension among her numerous accomplishments.

Holly Madison first emerged on television as an anchor and host for her reality show Holly's World in 2009. Additionally, Madison is also a New York Times best-selling author with her book Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny published in 2015.

Sean Penn

Sean Penn is widely revered for his dramatic yet realistic roles on screen, earning two Oscar nominations - Mystic River in 2004 and Milk two years later. Starting his acting career early on in the 80s and reaching full success during the 90s.

Penn is best known for his roles in Dead Man Walking, Sweet, Lowdown and I Am Sam. At Santa Monica College he studied speech and auto mechanics before moving onto Los Angeles Repertory Theatre.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger is best known as an actor with iconic lines such as, "I'll be back" and "Hasta la Vista, Baby!" as catchphrases for his successful acting career. Born in Austria, Schwarzenegger began as a bodybuilder before transitioning into film producing, acting, and businessman roles.

Schwarzenegger was best known as California Governor from 2003-2011. Before that, however, he attended SMC to improve his English.

Arnold Schwarzenegger took English as a Second Language classes and was also encouraged by a counselor to take business and mathematics classes.

Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest, one of the world's best-known radio and television hosts, knows a thing or two about success. He studied at the University of Georgia before moving to California. Seacrest studied business at Santa Monica College before going on to become one of the biggest radio DJs and then the host of American Idol in 2002.

He continued working in radio while appearing on television and currently acts as a producer for many popular TV and radio programs. 

Dax Shepard

Dax Shepard, another Santa Monica College alumni, is an actor, comedian, filmmaker, and podcast host known for his roles in Without a Paddle, Zathura: A Space Adventure, and CHiPs as well as appearing on NBC drama Parenthood.

Shepherd is best known for his podcast Armchair Expert, in which he interviews celebrities, academics, and journalists. After attending SMC for undergraduate study in Anthropology he went on to earn his BA at UCLA.

Steve Smith Sr

Steve Smith Sr, best known as a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens in the National Football League (NFL), spent 16 seasons as a professional football player between 1997-1999 before taking up college football at Utah Utes. While at SMC he played on Corsairs before making the leap into professional football.

Smith created an NFL record with an average catch average of 20.6 yards per catch during his time as a Ute, drawing attention from NFL teams. Drafted into the league during its third-round draft selection in 2001, he has gone on to enjoy an extended and fruitful football career.

Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank is another distinguished SMC graduate. She two-time Academy Award winner for Boys Don't Cry and Million Dollar Baby roles and is another accomplished SMC alumni who have achieved great success after graduation.

Swank has won multiple Critics' Choice Movie Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards since her breakthrough role in 1994's The Next Karate Kid. Swank attended classes at SMC before making her professional debut.

Kenan Thompson

Kenan Thompson has made people laugh his whole life as the longest-tenured cast member of Saturday Night Live. He began his acting career at age 3 then went on to work on the Nickelodeon sketch series All That and has been working for SNL as its cast member since 1994.

Thompson attended Santa Monica College for some time before his career took off. He performed in films such as The Mighty Ducks and Good Burger before landing a spot on SNL.

Inonge Wina

Inonge Wina was the first woman ever elected Vice President of Zambia from 2015 to 2021. Born and raised in Africa, Wina attended Santa Monica High School before going on to earn a diploma in Social Work from Santa Monica College.

Wina returned to Zambia and earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Zambia. She also actively engaged in her community and was elected as a political representative in 2001. Wina would eventually go on to be appointed Vice President of Zambia in 2015.

SMC Famous Alumni Transfer Students 

These are only some of the countless accomplished individuals who began their academic journey at Santa Monica College. An institution known for academic excellence that draws talented and ambitious students from around the globe.

• Mariska Hargitay: Emmy Award-winning actress Mariska Hargitay attended Santa Monica College before transferring to UCLA.
• Dominic Monaghan: Actor and environmentalist Dominic Monaghan attended Santa Monica College before launching his acting career.
• Max Mutchnick: Best known as the creator of Will & Grace on television, Max attended Santa Monica College before transferring to Northwestern University. 
• Andy Dick: Comedian and actor Andy Dick also studied at Santa Monica College before beginning an entertainment career.

Conclusion: Santa Monica College's Famous Alumni 

Santa Monica College, situated in the beachside city of Santa Monica, California is a two-year community college renowned for academic excellence and widely considered one of the premier community colleges nationwide.

Santa Monica College stands out with its rigorous academic programs and vibrant student life community, including clubs, food options nearby, organizations, and athletic teams. Students also have access to a range of support services like academic advising, counseling, and career development resources.

Santa Monica College has long been known for producing exceptional alumni. Attracting ambitious and talented students from around the world. This premier learning institution provides top-class education while creating an encouraging learning environment - helping develop the leaders of tomorrow.