Christian Slater ushered in his 40s by obtaining his high school diploma in 2009. The star of the short-lived "My Own Worst Enemy" admits he never took his studies seriously when he was a teenager because he was too busy acting, but decided it was time to graduate - so he could show his kids how important education is.

He explains, "I was working from the time I was nine years old, so school was not very important to me; it was not a great priority and then, when I had kids, I want them obviously to get a full education (sic) and... I didn't want to lose any arguments.

"I figured the best thing to do was to go and at least take some action, get the GED."

Slater has since taken education issues further after learning millions of kids drop out in America every year. He has become a spokesman for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which helps to raise high school awareness.

He says, "It's important to stay in school."

Image © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)