A Good example of a modern artist of all traits

I'm very inspired by successful artists of all trades. I believe in living life to the fullest and exploring all different camps, both personally and professionally and most of the time I am moved by people who've able to be successful in different fields.

There were times when this was common practice- the renaissance period of course, but also during the enlightenment is was common for 'gentlemen', as they used to say, to 'dabble in some science'.

Had this not been a common practice at those times, we may have missed out of some of the wonderful discoveries of Thomas Edison, Ben Franklin, and etc.

But we seem to not value this ability so much anymore. In fact, people are usually automatically suspicious of a person (or business) that branches out into other areas. They like to see you do 1 THING well.....Have you ever noticed what happens when a company known for something tries to extend their brand to something else? In many cases, it just doesn't fly with the public/mainstream......but I'm digressing a bit, sorry.

So here's the question: Who is a good example of a 'renaissance man or woman" in our times?

For me I would have to give it up to this person:

I met Dr. Roxanne Shante a few years back at BBKings in NY and caught up with her and she introduced me to her son at the time and I asked what she's been up to? She told me she got out of the music industry at age 25 and went back to school to study Psychology and earned her PHD at Cornell University with the help of a record label and currently today now does a lot of guest speaker events around the world and she owns an ice cream parlor in Queens.

I read online recently on ew.com about Queen's guitarist Brian May going back to the system and finishing his PHD in Astrophysics! Something new about dust clouds. Who would have thought that? I love to hear stories like this!

I'd like to hear any comments on this topic, as well as any other examples you may have.