We at Computerworld would be the last to say that science and technology aren't creative pursuits. Still, when most people say, "Oh, she's very creative," they're probably not talking about the subject's ability to perform higher math or engineer a network. Such people might be amazed to learn of the remarkable number of actors, directors, musicians and other celebrities who nurture an inner geek.

We've done some digging and came up with a list of geek stars -- celebrities who work at traditional artistic pursuits to make their way in the world, but have been known to kick back with a little astrophysics or microbiology in their spare time. Some of these headliners do exude a distinct nerdy spark, but others in our list will undoubtedly surprise you.

M*A*S*H's Alan Alda is well loved for his efforts to educate the general public about science and its joys, but Hawkeye may not have been the biggest geek at the 4077th -- Larry Linville (Major Burns) studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Colorado (giving it up when he realized he was colorblind) and is said to have built and flown his own gliders.

Some geek TV stars are best known for roles that don't stray too far from type. Star Trek: The Next Generation vet, author and pioneering blogger Wil Wheaton has allegedly said that in his teenage years, "I was such a geek that if I could go back in time, I would kick my own ass."

Numb3rs' geek-friendly FBI agent Dylan Bruno (Colby) has a degree in environmental engineering from MIT. Heroes' every-nerd Masi Oka double-majored in math and computer science at Brown University and after graduation went to work at George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic, where as recently as last November, he was still putting in a couple of days a week.

And what is there to say about Cornell University mechanical engineering grad, former Boeing employee, patent-holder, comedian and TV host Bill Nye other than "Science rules!"?

Other TV celebrities' geekish ways may surprise you. Soap opera heartthrob Drake Hogestyn (John Black/Roman Brady, Days of Our Lives) graduated from the University of South Florida with a double major in microbiology and applied sciences. John Astin (the original Addams Family patriarch) studied math, not theater, at Johns Hopkins University, though he's currently a professor in the latter department. And Lisa Kudrow (spacey Phoebe on Friends) has a biology degree from Vassar College.

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