Gabriella Pizzolo credits Natalie Portman for psychology degree choice
Synopsis
Gabriella Pizzolo's dual degree in psychology and music wasn't random — it was a calculated move inspired by Natalie Portman's own Harvard path. By choosing the classroom over the studio lot, the Stranger Things actress discovered that studying human behaviour through psychology deepened her craft as an actor while expanding her world beyond entertainment.
Key Takeaways
Gabriella Pizzolo , 23 , holds degrees in both psychology and music .
Natalie Portman's Harvard education in psychology inspired Pizzolo's academic choice.
Portman attended Harvard University from 1999 to 2003 while filming Star Wars films.
Pizzolo filmed Stranger Things at night while attending campus classes during the day.
Campus life exposed Pizzolo to diverse people and experiences beyond the entertainment industry.
Gabriella Pizzolo, the 23-year-old actress best known for playing Suzie Bingham on Netflix's hit sci-fi series Stranger Things, has revealed that Natalie Portman inspired her unconventional path to higher education. Speaking at the Broadway premiere of Beaches in New York City on 3 May, the actress opened up about her dual college degrees and the surprising influence that shaped her academic journey.
The Portman inspiration
Pizzolo holds degrees in both psychology and music, a combination she credits directly to discovering Portman's educational background. "I remember I was looking for what to study, and I saw Natalie Portman studied psychology, and not necessarily anything in the world of drama," Pizzolo told People magazine. "And I was like, 'That's actually really smart'. It's an alternative to drama and theater, but you still learn a lot about people and how they interact through that."
Portman's Harvard path
Natalie Portman, now 44, attended Harvard University from 1999 to 2003 while simultaneously filming the Star Wars franchise during her breaks. Her decision to pursue rigorous academic study alongside a demanding acting career set a precedent that resonated with Pizzolo years later.
Balancing acting and education
Rather than study remotely, Pizzolo committed to the full campus experience while continuing her acting work on Stranger Things. "I was filming all the time at night and then going to school during the day. And I think the best part of that is that I didn't do it from home or anything. I was on campus," she explained. This dual commitment allowed her to engage with peers and experiences beyond the entertainment bubble, enriching both her personal and professional development.
The unexpected benefits
The actress credited her campus immersion with broadening her perspective in ways acting alone could not have achieved. "I kind of got to get to know new people that I would've never known, and they kind of got to share all of that stuff with me while I was going out and doing those things," Pizzolo said. She drew a parallel to her character's storyline, noting: "I feel like it's a very Suzie track to go to school, and be in school while everyone else is out saving the world, doing their things, demogorgons, all that."
Point of View
Pizzolo and Portman's commitment to rigorous study stands out. Psychology as a major for actors is particularly shrewd — it offers intellectual credibility while directly informing character work. The trend of A-list performers pursuing serious degrees (rather than online credentials) has quietly become a marker of artistic seriousness. Pizzolo's choice to live on campus rather than study remotely is the detail that matters most: it signals a genuine commitment to intellectual growth, not a resume line.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gabriella Pizzolo choose psychology as her major?
Pizzolo chose psychology after discovering that Natalie Portman studied the subject at Harvard. She saw it as an intellectually rigorous alternative to drama that would still deepen her understanding of human behaviour and interpersonal dynamics — skills valuable for acting.
Did Natalie Portman really study psychology at Harvard?
Yes. Natalie Portman attended Harvard University from 1999 to 2003 and majored in psychology, completing her degree while simultaneously filming Star Wars films during her breaks.
How did Gabriella Pizzolo balance Stranger Things filming with college?
Pizzolo filmed Stranger Things at night and attended classes during the day. She chose to live on campus rather than study remotely, allowing her to fully engage with campus life and peers.
What degrees does Gabriella Pizzolo hold?
Gabriella Pizzolo holds two college degrees: one in psychology and one in music.
How did campus life benefit Pizzolo beyond her academic studies?
Living on campus exposed Pizzolo to diverse people and experiences she would not have encountered had she focused solely on acting. She credits these relationships and interactions with enriching both her personal growth and her perspective as an artist.
