Disclaimer: This reporter is not suggesting that dropping out of college is a good step for those seeking to become rich and famous.

Tom Hanks, seen here at a London premiere, is one of many wealthy celebrities who never graduated from college. (Getty Images)

That said, it worked out OK for some of Hollywood's best-known and wealthiest celebrities, according to an article published recently in Forbes.

In fact, of the 20 highest-paid actors and actresses on Forbes' "Most Powerful Celebrities" list, just Adam Sandler and Cate Blanchett have graduated from college.

Tom Hanks, who earned $74 million last year, didn't graduate. Neither did Madonna, who brought in $72 million.

Add Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon and Sean Combs -- all of whom made upwards of $20 million last year -- to that list.

Wondering why that is? A Forbes reporter writes that the trend toward college education seems to be backwards when it comes to actors and actresses:

"There's a simple reason for this, argues James Houran, a clinical psychologist who researches celebrity worship. A college education is an increasingly unnecessary item on celebrity résumés, and may actually be a liability. Rather than rely on skills and ability, as stars once did to get noticed, he says there exists a trivialized process by which celebrities are made today. The way Houran sees it, reaching stardom now has less to do with who has the best skills or ability than who has the best marketer or promoter. And taking time for college risks disrupting that process."

But Forbes points out that the drop-out trend seems mostly contained to actors and actresses. Well-paid directors, producers, writers, and "talking heads," tend to have competed college more often than not.

Oprah Winfrey graduated from Tennessee State University with a degree in speech and drama. Steven Spielberg has a degree in film and electronic arts from California State University at Long Beach. Howard Stern has a degree from Boston University in communications. And David Letterman graduated from Ball State University where he studied broadcasting.