Glen Powell has made a big name for himself in Hollywood over the past 15 years. Recently, he starred with Tom Cruise in the billion-dollar hit “Top Gun: Maverick” and with Sydney Sweeney in “Anyone but You.”
This summer, he’s back on the big screen in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster “Twisters.” Despite his Hollywood success, Powell has decided to move back to Texas, be close to his family, and go back to college.
Powell is now a student at the University of Texas while managing his acting career. He is commuting between Austin for exams and London, where he’s filming Edgar Wright’s adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Running Man.”
“Edgar [Wright] has been very kind, allowing me to finish my degree while working on his massive movie,” Powell said in an interview with IndieWire.
He explained that he won’t be a typical student attending classes in person daily. Instead, he’s using distance learning, attending classes via Zoom, and returning to Texas for proctored exams a few times each semester.
Powell had tried college before. As a teenager, he attended the University of Texas but dropped out to chase his Hollywood dreams. Over the years, he has taken classes to earn the credits he needs to graduate. He initially planned to graduate last spring, but his booming career put those plans on hold.
Upskilling for Success
Going back to school might seem unnecessary for someone already successful in Hollywood. However, many believe that continuous learning is key to long-term success.
Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, has stated that the main difference between those who stagnate and those who thrive is a hunger for learning.
“You have to be eager and hungry to find ways to learn,” Jassy said. “The moment you think there’s nothing left to learn, you start to decline as an individual and a professional.”
Similarly, 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer has shared that his success was not just due to talent but also to constantly learning and improving. “Most of the time, it’s not about having a gift. It’s about having grit,” Federer said.
Like Federer, Powell’s effort to finish his degree despite his Hollywood fame shows his determination and perseverance. “I’m so close, I can taste it,” he told the Hollywood Reporter.
Advice from Matthew McConaughey
Powell moved to Los Angeles at 19 to pursue acting. Now, at 35, he is choosing to leave Hollywood temporarily, which might seem unusual.
However, fellow Texan and megastar Matthew McConaughey advised Powell that taking breaks is essential for lasting success.
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“Hollywood is the Matrix, man. You plug in, and it’s a fake world,” McConaughey told Powell. He explained that he goes to Austin to “unplug” and spend time with family and friends.
Powell has adopted a similar approach, believing it helps him perform better. “I love this town [Hollywood] and this business,” Powell told IndieWire. “But spending time in Austin recharges me creatively and personally.”
“I think you have to listen to your own head and heart on how to stay sane and creatively fresh,” Powell added. “For me, Austin is where I recharge between projects.”
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
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