Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring just celebrated its 100th anniversary and has long been known for producing some of the region’s most accomplished and influential graduates. From Oscar and Pulitzer winners to bestselling authors, journalists, and actors, the school’s alumni roster features far more than just six well-known names, but these standout former students represent the wide range of talent that has emerged from Blair over the decades:
Cynthia Addai-Robinson: Born in London and raised in Silver Spring, Cynthia Addai-Robinson graduated from Montgomery Blair High School before launching a successful acting career. She’s best known for her roles as Queen Regent Míriel in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Amanda Waller in The CW’s Arrow, and Naevia in Spartacus: War of the Damned. Addai-Robinson trained at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and continues to represent Blair on the global entertainment stage. More here.
Carl Bernstein: Long before uncovering one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history, Carl Bernstein was a Blair student discovering his passion for journalism. As a Washington Post reporter, Bernstein, alongside Bob Woodward, broke the Watergate story that ultimately led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation. Their reporting earned The Washington Post a Pulitzer Prize and changed the course of American journalism. More here.
Connie Chung (Class of 1964): A trailblazer in broadcast journalism, Connie Chung made history as one of the first women, and first Asian Americans, to co-anchor a major network evening news program. After graduating from Blair, she went on to report and anchor for CBS, NBC, ABC, and CNN, earning national recognition for her thoughtful interviews and groundbreaking coverage. More here.
Goldie Hawn (Class of 1963): Before becoming one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars, Goldie Hawn was a student at Montgomery Blair High School. Known for her infectious laugh and charm, Hawn went on to win an Academy Award for her performance in Cactus Flower (1969) and star in classics like Private Benjamin, Overboard, and The First Wives Club. She also founded the MindUP program to promote mindfulness and emotional well-being in schools. More here.
Nora Roberts (Class of 1968): One of the world’s most successful novelists, Nora Roberts has written more than 200 romance and suspense novels, with over 500 million copies in print. A member of Blair’s Class of 1968, Roberts’ storytelling prowess has earned her countless literary awards and global acclaim. Many of her novels have been adapted for television, solidifying her title as the “Queen of Romance.” More here.
Ben Stein (Class of 1962): Actor, writer, lawyer, and economist Ben Stein may be best remembered for his famously monotone delivery in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, but his career extends well beyond Hollywood. A Blair graduate from the Class of 1962, Stein served as a speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford before becoming a cultural commentator, author, and game show host on Win Ben Stein’s Money. More here.
Note: Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes, a three-time Olympian and member of the “Magnificent Seven”, also attended Montgomery Blair High School before transferring to Gaithersburg High. Dawes made history as the first African American woman to win an individual Olympic medal in gymnastics and remains a powerful role model for young athletes through her work at the various locations of the Dominique Dawes Academy.
