Suri Cruise Is a Carnegie Mellon Student — Meet the Other Famous Faces Who Studied There
Here’s a small sampling of CMU’s notable alumni.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: BILLY PORTER, ZACHARY QUINTO, ANDY WARHOL, JUDITH LIGHT, TED DANSON | PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK
Suri Cruise, aka Suri Noelle, the daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, is officially a Tartan. Or at least she will be when fall classes start on Aug. 26.
She’s far from the only recognizable face to walk the halls of CMU. While we don’t know her major yet, the College of Fine Arts especially has molded some of the most recognizable names in art, theater and television.
Here’s a taste of who’s walked the halls.
1. Andy Warhol
Before he was named one of Pittsburgh Magazine’s Greatest Pittsburghers of All Time — and before he changed the world of art as we know it — Andy Warhol was a student in CMU’s art program.
The Warhol Museum’s website features a picture of a young Andy Warhol, then Andy Warhola, taken by his brother the day before he started college.
He graduated in 1949 and shortly after moved to New York City.
2. Leslie Odom Jr.
You may recognize him from 2017’s “Murder on the Orient Express” or his one-off appearances on television shows like “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Grey’s Anatomy” or “Supernatural,” but you’ll definitely recognize him for playing Aaron Burr in the original cast of “Hamilton” on Broadway.
The role earned him a Tony Award in 2016 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical.
He graduated from CMU’s drama program in 2003.
3. Judith Light
You’ll recognize her work from shows like “Ugly Betty,” “One Life to Live,” and “Who’s the Boss?” but her work on stage may be more compelling. Judith Light won two consecutive Tony awards for Actress in a Featured Role – Play in 2012 (“Other Desert Cities”) and 2013 (“The Assembled Parties”).
Her guest role in “Poker Face” earned her an Emmy.
Light is also an advocate to end HIV/AIDS. She graduated from CMU’s drama program in 1970.
4. Billy Porter
Billy Porter graduated from CMU’s drama program in 1991. He would go on to secure a Grammy, Tony and Emmy for his professional work, but perhaps his greatest accomplishment is his staunch advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.
He’s giving back to Pittsburgh, too. He plans to turn the Greater Pittsburgh Coliseum in Homewood into a multi-use community center.
5. Zachary Quinto
He made you feel dread in the anthology series “American Horror Story” and brought you to the edge of your seat playing Spock in the rebooted “Star Trek” franchise, but before Zachary Quinto made it to the big screen, he was another student in CMU’s drama program.
His work in “American Horror Story: Asylum” earned him a 2013 Emmy nomination in Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie. The award went to fellow cast member James Cromwell.
He graduated from CMU in 1999.
6. Ted Danson
Cheers! As if you didn’t know already.
Ted Danson took home the Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Sam Malone in “Cheers” in 1990 and 1993. He has 18 total Emmy nominations.
More recently, he played Michael, the architect in NBC’s “The Good Place,” as well as a fictionalized version of himself in HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” with Larry David.
The actor also has 12 Golden Globe nominations and three wins under his belt.
He graduated from CMU’s drama program in 1972.
7. Rob Marshall
The multi-talented Rob Marshall graduated from CMU in 1982. He would later be nominated for an Oscar in Best Directing for his work on “Chicago.” The film had 13 nominations overall and six wins, including Best Picture. Marshall’s directing also earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
Marshall also directed 2005’s “Memoirs of a Geisha,” which won three out of its six Oscar nominations.
8. Holly Hunter
Before she voiced Elastigirl in “The Incredibles” or played Ada McGrath in 1993’s “The Piano” — which earned her the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role — Holly Hunter was a student at CMU.
She returned to the campus in 2015 to talk to drama students about her time at the university and her acting career. She earned three additional Academy Award nominations for “Broadcast News,” “The Firm” and “Thirteen.”
She graduated from CMU in 1980.