High-IQ actress says her smarts are a 'handicap' in Hollywood

The people of Hollywood are known for their beauty and brawn. Rarely are they noted for their brains.

Significant intellectual capacity is not something Americans expect of their silver-screen celebrities — and usually for good reason.

But what about those actors who are an exception to the rule?

One well-known starlet whose intelligence has been quantified and found to be very high said this week that being a smartypants in Tinseltown has actually been a "handicap."

Kate Beckinsale, star of the "Underworld" franchise and dozens of other projects, already had a reputation for being intelligent — she studied French and Russian literature at Oxford and speaks fluent Russian. On Wednesday's episode of "The Howard Stern Show," the British actress called her mother live on air, who revealed to Stern and his audience that that Beckinsale has an IQ of 152.

Image source: YouTube/The Howard Stern Show video screenshot

That score, according to Healthline, the New York Post said, would put her in the top 2% of the population. This would qualify her for a Mensa membership, which requires a "score within the upper two percent of the general population."

But, the 48-year-old actress added, that has not made life easier for her. In fact, she told Stern, it has made things more difficult for her in Hollywood, going so far as to call her big brain a "handicap."

After hearing the score, Stern said, "Oh, my God! Your IQ is 152! Do you realize that's like almost Einstein-level?"

"I wish I had a 152 IQ," the host continued. "That's my dream."

But Beckinsale was quick to let him know he was wrong to wish for it.

"You don't," the actress said. "Every single doctor, every single person I've ever come across has said, 'You'd be so much happier if you were 30% less smart.' I'm sure that's true."

"One-fifty-two," Stern countered, still in awe, "the s**t you must think up!"

However, it's of no use to her in Tinseltown, Beckinsale noted.

"It's no good to me, though," she said. "It's really not helpful in my career. I just think it's been a handicap, actually."

But, she added, "I'm sure I've become progressively more stupid."

Content warning: rough language

Kate Beckinsale Reveals Her I.Q. After Calling Her Mom Live on the Airyoutu.be