People Who Failed Out of Penn: Candice Bergen

Sometimes the path to great success is long and tedious and your parents' lessons on how to make it just don't jive with your lifestyle. Rather than suffering through four years of college, grad school, and a slew of jobs, consider your options! 1) Become the self-made (wo)man who never went to college but makes something amazing of him or herself. 2) Become the college drop-out who goes on to develop the richest company ever. 3) Flunk out of school and become a really rich and famous actor. Candice Bergen, best known for her role in the too long-running sitcom Murphy Brown and as that bitchy pageant director in Miss Congeniality, chose option three, and the failure that launched her illustrious career began right here at Penn!

Candice's career as a Quaker began in 1963. She was a model student athlete leader ...maybe just a model, because she won both Homecoming Queen and Miss University (UA, Amy, somebody, why isn't this still happening? SPEC JAZZ AND GROOVES FOR HOMECOMING QUEEN!). But tragedy struck in 1965, when Candice was asked to leave Penn after failing opera and art classes.

Rather than let this minor speed bump slow her journey on the road to fame, Miss B. headed to Hollywood. Just one year after her academic mishap, Candice starred in her first film, The Group, ironically playing a college student. Following roles in several films, she became the first female ever to host Saturday Night Live in 1975.  After winning five Emmys between 1989 and 1995 for her portrayal of Murphy Brown, she declined any future nominations for her role. During that period, Penn granted her an honorary doctorate in 1992, probably to claim the revered star as an alumnus for promotional purposes.

After Murphy Brown's run ended in 1998, Candice even declined an offer to become a correspondent for 60 Minutes. Perhaps she went through a period of heavy humble pie consumption, perhaps she feared her ignorance of opera and art would culminate in an embarrassing on-air display -- the point remains that Candice, through her persistence, ambition, popularity, and good looks, has taught Quakers the world over that no matter how badly you do in Sector requirements, you can still lead such a distinguished career that you can afford to reject Emmy nominations. Touché, Candice. Touché.