12 Supposed Dweebs Who Could Absolutely Kick Our Ass And/Or Charm Our Pants Off

Ah, nerds. They've been the butt of jokes since time immemorial. But what if we told you that some of these nerds were actually surprisingly cool and/or badass? That's right, we've compiled a list of 12 famous nerds who have accomplished some pretty impressive feats in their lives. From Nobel-winning physicists to Hollywood stars, these nerds have proven that being a nerd doesn't mean you can't be cool.

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You'll hear tales of a Nobel-winning ladies' man who could do calculus in bed, an actor-turned-firefighter-hero, and a Hollywood star who switched to NASCAR. We'll also learn about an astronomer whose pet moose drank too much beer at a party, a master sergeant who became a master painter, and a pope who used to be a nightclub security guard. 

You'll be amazed at the stories of these unique individuals, who have each made their mark on history in their own way. So, without further ado, let's take a look at 12 famous nerds who are actually surprisingly cool and/or badass.

A Nobel-winning ladies' man who could do math in strip clubs.

The Guardian / WSJ 

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Undefeated Wrestling Champ.

Huffpost / NPR 

Cheerleader to comedienne: Phyllis Smith's journey.

Slate / People 

Pope Francis: From nightclub security guard to ... Pope.

Today / Crux Now 

Frankie Muniz: from Hollywood to NASCAR.

CNBC / IMDB 

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