Spielberg graduates A I director earns his Bachelor's after 33 years

Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg has had five honorary doctorates bestowed on him but had not earned a bachelor's degree. That changed Friday when he walked on stage at California State University at Long Beach wearing a cap and gown to receive a degree in film and electronic arts.

"I would say this meant more to Steven than the honorary doctorates because, after all, they are honors and they're very nice to have, but this (the degree) is something you achieve and you go back and do something your parents really wanted you to do," the director's spokesperson Marvin Levy told Reuters.

Spielberg, one of Hollywood's top directors, is responsible for such blockbusters as Jaws, The Indiana Jones trilogy, and last year's A I.

As his name was called, the Long Beach State school band played the music from the Indiana Jones' films. On Monday, the Yale band also began performing the same music when Spielberg received his latest honorary degree.

"Your movies entertain, engage and enlighten," Yale President Richard Levin said. "For your artistry and imagination, we honor you with this degree of doctor of humane letters."

Spielberg dropped out of college 33 years ago to pursue his dream of making films. He began his studies last year and reportedly completed the requirements through independent and correspondence courses.

"Completing the requirements for my degree 33 years after finishing my principal education marks my longest post-production schedule," Spielberg told the audience and reporters.

In 1994, Spielberg created DreamWorks SKG with partners Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen. That company is among the hottest in Hollywood with releases such as the Oscar-winning American Beauty and Shrek under its banner.

Spielberg's next film Minority Report, a sci-fi thriller starring Tom Cruise, is due mid-June.