These ‘Dumb’ Celebrities Are Actually Really Smart

Flavor Flav Was Regarded As a Child Prodigy

Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for LARAS

Flavor Flav, whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr., made a name for himself as a part of Public Enemy. He’s best known for jumping around the stage and hyping up the crowd rather than contributing in what some might call meaningful way.

As a kid, Flav was regarded as a child prodigy, because he taught himself how to play a variety of instruments. We’re not talking about the triangle either. The saxophone, the guitar, drums and the French horn are in his repertoire — not exactly things that are easy to learn at all, let alone by yourself. When Public Enemy was signed by Def Jam, the label suggested that they drop him, not realizing that he co-wrote the first record. Chuck D reportedly said, “He can play 15 instruments. I can’t play Lotto.”

You won’t believe which raunchy television presenter is actually a Northwestern grad.