We all have our own ideas about what intelligence looks like.
Whether it’s the scientists who revolutionized physics, the mathematicians who solved centuries-old problems, or the tech moguls reshaping the future, we tend to think of intelligence in certain ways.
But what happens when we challenge those assumptions?
The list below, created by SuperScholar.org, presents what they consider the “10 smartest people in the world.”
At first glance, you might recognize some familiar names, while others will undoubtedly catch you off guard.
But that’s exactly the point: intelligence comes in many forms, and it doesn’t always follow the typical path we imagine.
The Surprising Top 10
At first glance, the list of the world’s smartest people might seem pretty straightforward.
It includes people like Stephen Hawking, Marilyn vos Savant, and Terence Tao—names you might expect to see in any top IQ list.
But there are also a couple of surprising entries: James Wood, an actor known for his biting wit and sharp intellect, and Rick Rosner, a television personality who has appeared on shows like The Gong Show and The Price is Right.
These unexpected names remind us that intelligence isn’t confined to academic or professional fields we typically associate with brainpower.
Rick Rosner, for instance, is a man with an IQ that rivals some of the most accomplished intellectuals of our time.
His odd combination of being both a television personality and someone who scored 192 on his IQ test might seem unusual, but it underscores an important point: you can’t judge a brain by its cover—or its occupation.
What Makes Someone ‘Smart’?
While IQ tests are often used as the standard measure of intelligence, they don’t tell the whole story.
SuperScholar.org’s list considered not only raw IQ scores but also achievements, contributions, and other forms of intellectual influence.
It’s a reminder that intelligence can’t be neatly packaged into one definition or score.
True brilliance often defies categorization.
What about those outside the spotlight? It’s easy to forget that some of the world’s most impactful minds aren’t necessarily household names.
People like Sir Andrew Wiles, who solved Fermat’s Last Theorem after centuries of failed attempts, are often overlooked by the masses.
Yet their contributions change the way we see the world.
These people are quietly revolutionizing their fields and, in many cases, our understanding of reality itself.
Still, one of the notable points about SuperScholar’s list is its lack of diversity—particularly when it comes to gender.
Despite women like Marie Curie and Ada Lovelace making groundbreaking contributions to science and mathematics, the list has very few women.
This isn’t just an oversight; it’s a reflection of a larger societal bias that often overlooks women in intellectual fields.
While we recognize some of these incredible minds from history, the absence of women on a modern list highlights a gap that needs to be addressed.
But let’s shift gears a bit here.
Rethinking Who Gets to Be on This List
It’s easy to default to the stereotypical image of a genius: a quiet, bookish person working tirelessly in a lab or at a desk.
But when we look deeper at the full list, we can challenge that image.
People like Rick Rosner (who, in addition to his TV gigs, is a trivia buff and has an astonishing IQ) represent a broader spectrum of intelligence.
It forces us to ask: What does it really mean to be “smart”?
Most of us associate intelligence with rigorous academic achievements—earning multiple degrees, publishing groundbreaking research, or winning prestigious awards.
But intelligence isn’t just about what’s learned through formal education. It’s also about how well a person can think critically, adapt to challenges, and bring new ideas into the world.
Just because someone isn’t a professor or Nobel laureate doesn’t mean they aren’t intellectually gifted.
The truth is, intelligence can manifest in many ways.
The key is recognizing it, regardless of whether someone fits the traditional mold.
Take James Wood, for example. Known primarily for his acting, Wood is also one of the smartest individuals in the world according to this list, with an IQ that qualifies him for membership in Mensa.
But few people associate him with anything other than his Hollywood career.
And that’s a huge takeaway here—our assumptions about what smart people look like are limiting, and often inaccurate.
The Smarter You Are, The More You Question Everything
One common thread among the people on this list is that they all have a deep curiosity about the world around them.
They don’t just accept things at face value.
Whether they’re mathematicians, scientists, actors, or television personalities, they all approach life with a sense of inquiry.
For example, Terence Tao, often referred to as a “prodigy,” solved problems that have stumped mathematicians for years—problems that he began tackling before most children his age could spell their names.
But his success isn’t just about raw intelligence.
It’s about his ability to question, push boundaries, and find new ways of solving difficult problems.
He embodies the principle that the smartest people are those who never stop asking questions.
This mindset isn’t just limited to academia.
Many of the world’s most famous and successful entrepreneurs, like Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos, approach problems in new and unconventional ways.
Their success is not just a result of high IQ, but of being able to think in novel ways and embrace new ideas.
As Musk himself once said: “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.”
It’s Not All About the IQ
Intelligence isn’t just about what we can measure with a test.
It’s about creativity, problem-solving, and the ability to make connections that others can’t.
People like Marilyn vos Savant, who holds the record for the highest recorded IQ, are on this list not just because of their test scores, but because of their ability to solve complex problems that others can’t even begin to understand.
But intelligence is broader than that. It’s about how we use our minds to navigate life.
James Wood, the actor, is an example of someone who uses his intellectual ability outside of conventional spaces.
His deep knowledge of literature, philosophy, and history shapes his performances, making him a standout actor in Hollywood.
His position on the list forces us to ask: can intelligence be judged solely by academic metrics, or is it also about how people engage with and contribute to the world?
The diverse range of people on this list—from mathematicians to TV personalities—demonstrates the different forms of intelligence we should recognize.
Maybe it’s time to stop thinking of intelligence as something only measured by a test score, and instead start appreciating all the ways in which brilliance shows up in the world.
What Does This List Really Tell Us?
In the end, this list of the world’s smartest people challenges us to think beyond traditional definitions of intelligence.
It reminds us that intellectual ability is multifaceted.
Whether you’re solving the world’s most complex equations, contributing to scientific advancements, or demonstrating profound creativity in unexpected spaces, intelligence is something that can’t be confined to a set of expectations.
It also challenges us to think about how we view “success.”
The individuals on this list have succeeded in different ways, yet all have one thing in common: a profound, unyielding curiosity.
So, perhaps the smartest people are not always those who have reached the highest academic peaks, but those who keep questioning, keep thinking, and keep striving—no matter their occupation.
So, as you reflect on this list, consider this: intelligence is in the eye of the beholder. What do you define as “smart”?
And perhaps more importantly, how can you apply that definition to the world around you? You might just be surprised at who you find at the top of your own list.
Note: Apologies for the typo in Sir Andrew Wiles’ write-up—it was part of the original infographic. Despite this, the list remains a fascinating exploration of what it means to be truly “smart.”
