Top 10 Northwestern University Notable Alumni

From Hollywood legends to groundbreaking journalists and exceptional storytellers, Northwestern University alumni are making their mark globally. Explore some of the Northwestern University notable alumni and how they have impacted globally with Northwestern education. In this article, we summarise the top 10 Northwestern University notable alumni and highlight the influence and brilliance reflected in their works.

Northwestern University, a renowned private research university, ranks among the top 100 universities globally. Northwestern University ranks #50 as per QS - World University Rankings 2025. Admissions at Northwestern University are stern, and getting a study spot can be challenging. The reason is the low acceptance rate at Northwestern University for the class of 2024 was 7%. However, thousands of applications are submitted at Northwestern University annually for admission. 

With an alumni base of 260,000 and above at Northwestern University, the numbers only increase yearly. This article will delve deeper into Northwestern University notable alumni who made it to the university, studied there and graduated with skills that have helped them become what they are today. Check out some famous Northwestern University alumni here. 

10 Most Popular Northwestern University Notable Alumni

Check out the list of top 10 most popular Northwestern University notable alumni in this section:

1. Sherry Lansing
2. Meghan Markle
3. Harrison Ford
4. Julia Louis-Dreyfus
5. David Schwimmer
6. Anne O'Hare McCormick
7. Jeremy Piven
8. Gilda Radner
9. George RR Martin
10. Seth Meyers

These are some of the most popular and renowned Northwestern University alumni. Let us check out their key achievements to understand why they became so popular after graduating from Northwestern University. 

Top 10 Northwestern University Notable Alumni

Let us delve deeper and get more insights into famous alumni of Northwestern University in the section below: 

1. Sherry Lansing

Lansing graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in English, and her career shows how hard work and vision can help succeed in a man's domain. A first only for Paramount, Hollywood-Lansing has emerged as the first woman to head up a major film studio. During her Paramount tenure, Lansing was chief in production on such blockbusters as Forrest Gump, Braveheart, and Titanic. She is also a brilliant philanthropist who supports various cancer research causes, along with one of the famous alumni of Northwestern University.

2. Meghan Markle

The most famous Northwestern University alumni is Meghan Markle. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, caught the world's attention in 2018 after marrying Prince Harry. Before she entered royal life, Meghan was a famous actress, best known as Rachel Zane on the hit lawyer show Suits. With her degree from Northwestern University in Communications, Meghan used her voice to spearhead activism, gender equality, and humanitarian work.

3. Harrison Ford

Another Northwestern University notable alumni is Harrison Ford. He attended Northwestern briefly before he fled to Hollywood, where he epitomised onscreen adventure and heroism. The big star, world-renowned Harrison Ford, is best known for some of the most talked about series, such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Thanks to these iconic roles, he is considered to be one of the highest-grossing actors in Hollywood history. His works have garnered accolades over the last few decades- both for his performances and his contributions to the industry his position firmly as a Hollywood legend.

4. Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Louis-Dreyfus' theatre arts studies at Northwestern is a famous Northwestern University alumni. The university gave her a springboard to the kind of career that would bear a dozen nominations for Emmy. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a star of modern television comedy; other titles of hers include Seinfeld, Veep, and The New Adventures of Christine. With these credits, wit, and impeccable timing, Louis-Dreyfus is now a household name. Her Emmy statues further testify to Louis-Dreyfus being one of the great comic talents in television history.

5. David Schwimmer

Another Northwestern alumni is David Schwimmer or Ross Geller on the hugely successful Friends series. Schwimmer has found work in acting and directing, spanning television and film. Schwimmer is known as a great talent due to his versatility in the dramatic and comedic genres, and he has received numerous accolades. Known as a famous Northwestern University alumni, Schwimmer pursued a career as an actor, to which he has since added work as a director and producer after graduating.

6. Anne O'Hare McCormick

Anne O'Hare McCormick was one of the pioneering American journalists who achieved the position of the first woman to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting. McCormick came into popularity centuries ago as one groundbreaking foreign correspondent who carried deep economic awards of insight and guidance on the workings of the globe. A Northwestern University notable alumni herself, her contributions still inspire the many who engage in journalism today. Also, it is interesting that McCormick's studies at Northwestern University laid the groundwork for her becoming one of the first women in journalism. 

7. Jeremy Piven

Jeremy Piven is a talented American actor and producer, an eminent alumnus of Northwestern University, whom a worldwide audience came to know as Ari Gold in the series Entourage. After graduating from Northwestern, Piven's strong stage presence and acting ability afforded him a prestigious career in television and film, providing him a name and face for Hollywood. He won numerous awards, including three Golden Globe Awards, for portraying the fast-talking and often "ruthless" Hollywood agent. Piven's career has traversed the realms of theatre, television, and film.

8. Gilda Radner

Labelled one of the sketch comedy genre pioneers, Radner was a founding cast member of Saturday Night Live (SNL) and an embodiment of comedic characters like the incessantly jabbering Roseanne Roseannadanna, who would become an essential part of American culture. She is a famous Northwestern University alumni who majored in drama and improvisation. Directly because of her initiation was her comedy career. She was also one of the favourite paragons of the comedy fray, pinched-in sides from her whacky humour and infectiously lovable persona.

9. George R.R. Martin

George R.R. Martin, the most famous Northwestern University alumni, is known for his extensive work. The popular book author A Song of Ice and Fire, which was later adapted into Game of Thrones (HBO), has been acclaimed worldwide for fantasy fiction. His unique storytelling ability and astounding ability to develop a parallel universe gave him a colossal global following. His contributions towards progress in Game of Thrones created a significant shift in modern fantasy and television.

10. Seth Meyers

Seth Meyers, another alumni of Northwestern University, is the host of Late Night with Seth Meyers. His impactful nature, humour and social insight made Meyer one of the most successful late-night hosts in the United States. He is a former cast member and writer of SWL and ultimately was the head writer on it. Meyers's most famous and storied possession is his performance at Northwestern University's superb School of Communication, where his improv and humour began to shine, leading on late-night television. 

These notable people of Northwestern University have left their mark through Academy Award-winning filmmakers, scientific groundbreakers, influential politicians, storytellers, and renowned authors.
The greatness of Northwestern lies in its distinguished alumni. Now, do something about it. See what possibilities await you with a Northwestern education, set your transformation process in motion, and join such grand leaders. Don't dream of success; create it. Apply to Northwestern right now and allow yourself to build a bright future.  Sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling and get your application going in the right direction at the right time!