7. Jean-Michel Basquiat briefly attended Edward R. Murrow High School
While living in the East Village and SoHo, artist Jean-Michel Basquiat gained the attention of accomplished artists and art dealers, who helped him present his art at the Whitney Biennial at just 22. Though, Basquiat had humble beginnings in Brooklyn. Basquiat was born on December 22, 1960, in Park Slope, and in 1966, he moved to East 35th street in East Flatbush, where Basquiat began studying and practicing art, attending the nearby Saint Ann’s School and drawing his favorite cartoons. While at the East Flatbush home, he recovered from an automobile accident in 1968. After his parents separated, he moved to Boerum Hill with his father and two siblings before moving to Puerto Rico three years later. He returned to Boerum Hill in 1976 and moved out in 1978 after creating the fictional character SAMO.
After returning to Brooklyn in 1976, Basquiat briefly attended Edward R. Murrow High School in Midwood. Though, he rebelled against his parents and ran away from home at 15 after being caught smoking marijuana. After sleeping in Washington Square Park, he eventually returned home and enrolled in Manhattan’s City-As-School, where he began taking up art. Though, successful alumni of the high school include Darren Aronofsky, Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. Named for broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow, the high school focuses on arts programs in fields like theater, music, dance, and visual arts. Mel Brooks even granted the school the first rights of any school to his musical The Producers.