Famous doctors who aren't

Famous doctors who aren't

Doctors carry a certain cachet, but some of the more famous personalities we call "Dr." never stepped foot in a medical school. We've provided hints about some of our favorite "doctors" who aren't actually licensed to practice medicine. Think you know who they are? Check your answers to be sure.

The sex therapist

This pop culture icon was recognized in Playboy's 55th anniversary issue (who was on the cover?) as one of the most important people related to sex. Though she holds a Ph.D. in education, the diminutive "doc" is best known for her heavy accent and frank talk about sex and empowerment.

The children's author

This beloved children's author is known for his imaginative characters and clever rhymes. Generations of fans regularly mispronounced his pen name, which rhymes with "voice," so he eventually changed it to rhyme with "goose." Though that name includes the designation of "doctor," he never became one.

The gunfighter

This famous 19th century "doc" went to dental school, but gave up dentistry and became a professional gambler and legendary gunfighter of the American Wild West instead. He is best known for his friendship with Wyatt Earp and his role in the famed Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881.

The alien

This (science-) fictional "doctor" is actually a time-traveling alien who has been fighting villains on British TV since 1963. Though he's not a medical doctor, he has a skill most doctors would probably appreciate: He has the ability to regenerate.

The radio host

This famous "doctor" is best known for her no-nonsense approach to family and marital advice on her popular talk-radio show. She's also a best-selling author of self-help books such as "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands." She has a Ph.D. in physiology but no medical degree.

The rapper

He's a rapper, not a doctor, but more people know him by his "Dr." moniker than by his real name. And thanks to a lucrative side business selling premium headphones and speakers, Forbes recently named him the richest man in hip-hop.

The politician

This Nobel Peace Prize winner has a long list of accomplishments, but graduating from medical school is not one of them. Still, the former secretary of state (under Presidents Ford and Nixon) has been called "Dr." for years and holds a Ph.D. in international relations.

The alter ego

This doctor is actually the alter ego of a late musician, a member of The Beatles. Dr. Winston O'Boogie is credited as a songwriter on the Harry Nilsson album "Pussycats." Here's a hint: His middle name is Winston.

The band leader

This musician led the band on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and became famous for his musical talent and flashy outfits. He earned the nickname "Little Doc" as a child of a dentist.

The Bond villain

This "doctor" was made famous in the first James Bond film and launched a series of memorable villains in the popular movie franchise. But he was a mad scientist (with a metallic hand), not a medical doctor

The cartoon character

This crabby but beloved cartoon character has been dispensing psychiatric advice from a lemonade stand — at the bargain price of 5 cents per session — since 1959. Her sign reads "The Doctor Is In," but we're pretty sure she never went to medical school.

The NBA star

This Hall of Fame NBA player has been credited as a key figure in launching the modern style of basketball. The nickname "doctor" started with a pal in high school and eventually became as famous as his slam dunks.

The TV doctor

This famous TV doctor got his start on "Oprah," where he became known for his catchphrase, "Get real!" But is he a REAL medical doctor? While the straight-talking doc does have a Ph.D. in psychology, he is not a medical doctor.

The movie star

This movie villain is best known for his fondness for large sums of money and a hairless cat named Mr. Bigglesworth (see photos). He calls himself a doctor, but he's really more of a disaster. However, one thing he is good at is making movie fans laugh (maniacally).

The guitar player

This musician earned six Grammy awards but no medical degree. Instead, he was known for his great guitar picking skills as a famed bluegrass, folk and blues singer before his passing in May 2012. The nickname "doc" came about as a reference to Sherlock Holmes' sidekick, who was a physician.

The soda pop

This "doctor" is not a real doctor — or even a real person. It's a soda that was formulated by a pharmacist. However, urban legend has it that the drink was named for a real doctor as a way to curry favor, because the pharmacist wanted to marry his daughter.

The nemesis

This "doc" is one of the most dangerous comic-book villains of all time. He threatens Spider-Man on a regular basis and appeared in the 2004 film starring Tobey Maguire. The character is not a medical doctor, but he is a brilliant inventor and nuclear physicist.

The basketball coach

This former NBA player is now the championship-winning coach of a top Eastern Conference team. He was known for his defensive skills during his time as a player with the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks.

The mad scientist

This fictional movie "doc" is a scientist and inventor, loosely inspired by Albert Einstein. He is best known for building a time machine out of a car and for his catchphrase, "Great Scott!"