You might know Oprah Winfrey from her long-running talk show. Maybe you’ve picked up her magazines, tuned in to a radio broadcast, seen her in a movie, watched her cable network, or picked up a novel from her book club. A media magnate, she glides from television to movies to magazines to politics and philanthropy, applying what she learns in one situation to make each following one a success. That’s earned her many titles, but what she really embodies is the spirit of a generalist.

Generalists trust in themselves and what they know about the world. Here are five household names who have done it well:

Oprah Winfrey. She doesn’t have a political science degree but that didn’t stop her from helping Barack Obama seal the 2008 Presidential election. She’s not a teacher but founded a successful school; not a writer but has one of the most successful magazines in the US to her credit. And the fact that she’s not a licensed therapist didn’t matter at all to the millions of people who were touched by her talk show over the years.

Steve Jobs. Most inventors are lucky to have one household appliance to their credit. Jobs’ vision brought us the computer on your lap, the iPod in your car, the iPad in your hands, and the smartphone in your pocket. Apple’s hallmark of creating relevant, functional, indispensable products is in large part due to the fact that Jobs remained personally involved and invested in each. Instead of specializing in the business of being a CEO, he was constantly learning about what people really want and need, even to the sometimes startling extreme of answering his own email.

Al Gore. Had Al Gore limited himself to specializing in politics, he would have been a footnote in history. Instead, he is the recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize, a respected author, and a dedicated environmentalist. Sometimes a generalist’s path emerges later in life, but the key point is the same—a broad knowledge base and versatile skills bring opportunity.

Martha Stewart. The name of her company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, says it all. From an early career that ranged from model to stockbroker to caterer, Stewart has followed her passions to become the ultimate entrepreneur. Her taste reigns 365 days a year, from weddings and holidays to kitchen basics, crafts, and kids. If Stewart had to specialize in just one thing, it would probably be success.

Richard Branson. The ultimate modern Renaissance man, billionaire Richard Branson didn’t just start a company—he pioneered a brand. Rather than specializing in one area, Branson’s Virgin Group is at the center of over 400 enterprises, from music and airlines to beverages and cell phones. He has his hands in comic books, health care, online games, hotels, green technology, and more, and that’s just his business life. An adventurer, philanthropist, and public figure, Branson never put limits on himself, despite dropping out of school at age 16. “Business opportunities are like buses,” he’s quoted as saying. “There’s always another one coming.”

So what’s the big idea here—That only celebrities can be successful generalists? That generalism is the path to becoming a multimillionaire? Of course not. But these five individuals prove beyond a doubt that specialism isn’t the only path to success. The next time someone pressures you to focus on just one narrow field or sneers at your lack of “expert” credentials, just smile and think of Oprah.