Now in its 800th year, the university has a long and proud history of educating and nurturing some of the great intellectuals who went on to leave their mark on fields such as politics, science and literature. Nevertheless, in today's fame-obsessed world many have achieved adulation and stardom across the globe and this article will take a whistle-stop tour of Cambridge University's celebrity alumni.



First under the spotlight is a certain Sacha Baron Cohen, creator and performer of the controversial comedy personalities Ali G, Borat and Bruno. He graduated from Christ's College where he read History and wrote his thesis on the Jewish involvement on the American Civil Rights Movement. After graduating, Cohen dabbled with minor TV roles as well as fashion modelling before striking fame on The Eleven O'Clock Show on Channel 4 - first aired in 1998.

Only two years later, Cohen landed his own TV show, Da Ali G Show which won the BAFTA for Best Comedy in 2001. The actor's journey through the comedy and celebrity circuit was gathering pace as the characters Borat and Bruno began grabbing more and more attention. In 2003 Cohen released his first feature length film, Ali G Indahouse, and followed this up with the award-winning Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan in 2006.

A far less controversial celebrity is the actress Rachel Weisz. During her university days, she was part of the student drama group Cambridge Talking Tongues and won a Guardian Student Drama Award at the Edinburgh Festival. She graduated from Trinity Hall with a 2-1 in English and soon started landing roles in TV series such as Inspector Morse. Her cinema career began in 1995 with Chain Reaction before she shot to world-wide recognition in The Mummy alongside Brendan Fraser in 1999.

Despite enjoying further success with The Mummy Returns and About a Boy, she enraptured the cinematic world when she starred in Fernando Meirelles? The Constant Gardener. Her performance as the activist Tessa won critical acclaim and she was rewarded with numerous gongs including the 2006 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Finally, unless you are Harrison Ford, not many actors can lay claim to being part of two truly successful film trilogies. However, one of Britain's most unassuming celebrities and graduate of St Catherine's College can do just that.

Sir Ian McKellen has starred in the memorable Lord of the Rings films which grossed over US$2 billion and the X Men Trilogy that also raked in an impressive $1.163 billion.

Despite enjoying an illustrious acting career spanning over 40 years, McKellen is still enjoying life starring in Hollywood blockbusters. He has signed up to star in the forthcoming X Men Origins: Magneto, a prequel to the comic book trilogy, based on the early life of his villainous character.

Judging by McKellen's film CV, it is sure to be another smash-hit.