There are plenty of celebrities that we know best for their acting chops and prestigious awards. However, the truth is that a lot of them actually started out as a model. This is not all that surprising since both lines of work share certain requirements. For starters, it is very common for Hollywood stars to be good-looking and graceful. As a matter of fact, you can say that this is the natural progression of things. Nonetheless, it is interesting to see how they managed to make it to the top of the TV and film industry. Some of them started out acting first before dabbling in modeling, while others did it the other way around. Others took on both modeling and acting gigs at the same time. Let us find out which celebrities took which paths.
JENNIFER LAWRENCE
Before she got her big break in Hollywood, Jennifer Lawrence first did a little modeling. We doubt that she has to do this anymore now that she is a certified star in the industry. It is impressive to see how far she has since come. By 2019, she had already appeared in movies that have grossed over $6 billion across the globe. In 2015 and 2016, she was also the highest-paid actress in the world. Did you know that she is a supporter of Planned Parenthood? In 2015, she launched her own foundation to support the Special Olympics, as well as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. She has dabbled in business as well. In 2018, the actress launched a production company of her own. It is called Excellent Cadaver.
JENNIFER LAWRENCE
JOSH DUHAMEL
While it was brief, Josh Duhamel did have a successful modeling career. Did you know that his original plan was to be a dentist? In the end, he left college and “followed a former girlfriend to northern California.” Upon arrival, he launched his modeling career and even bagged an international talent and modeling competition. It is interesting to note that Ashton Kutcher was the runner-up. At any rate, Duhamel got his start as an actor in the music videos of “Genie in a Bottle” by Christina Aguilera and “I Will Go With You” by Donna Summer. After some acting training, he landed the part of Leo du Pres in All My Children. In 2002, he brought home a Daytime Emmy Award for this role.
JOSH DUHAMEL
KATHERINE HEIGL
Can you believe that Katherine Heigl kicked off her modeling career with a Cheerios ad? At the age of nine, her aunt sent photos of her to Wilhelmina Models and effectively launched her career as a model. She went on to appear in commercials, catalogs, and ads. In high school, she would sometimes skip as many as three months to work. On holidays and weekends, she would juggle her modeling and acting work. In the early ‘90s, she became known for working on King of the Hill and Wish Upon a Star. The noughties had been busy for her after she snagged the part of Dr. Isobel Stevens in Grey’s Anatomy. Thanks to the medical drama, she shot even further into stardom.
KATHERINE HEIGL
KIRSTEN DUNST
After playing Mary Jane in Spider-Man, Kirsten Dunst had every right to be picky with the projects that she took on. The superhero flick grossed $114 million during the first three days at the box office and set a record for the best opening weekend at the time. This was not her first time in the spotlight as she launched a modeling career when she was three years old. By the time she was 12 years old, she had appeared in more than a hundred ads already. As a child actress, she was in Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles, Little Women, Jumanji, and Small Soldiers. She also received acclaim for her work in The Virgin Suicides by the end of the millennia. Bring It On made her even more popular than she already was.
KIRSTEN DUNST
LEIGHTON MEESTER
When we talk about Leighton Meester, most people think of Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl. She continues to act to this day and even snagged a role in Single Parents. Her acting career started when she worked on a local production of Wizard of Oz when she was still young. She also did some modeling work for companies like Ralph Lauren, Jimmy Choo, and Vera Wang. Her transition to Hollywood had been a success. She has appeared in Law & Order, Monte Carlo, Killer Movie, and Country Strong in the past. Aside from that, you might have seen her perform with various musical acts like Cobra Starship. She returned to her roots by appearing in a Broadway production of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.
LEIGHTON MEESTER
LINDSAY LOHAN
While she was by no means a newbie by then, Lindsay Lohan became a household name when she starred in Mean Girls in 2004. The hilarious high school flick made her the teen queen of that era after it grossed $67 million. The actress has been working in the industry since she was three years old and has since appeared in more than 60 commercials for Wendy’s, Ford, The Gap, and more. She edged out Scarlett Johansson to play the twins we all know and love from The Parent Trap. In 2003, she was also in Freaky Friday with Jamie Lee Curtis. She went on to star in Herbie: Fully Loaded and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. The actress worked on Project Runway and Ugly Betty as well. Did you know that she launched a line of jeans called 6126? Sadly, the actress has been dealing with many personal problems.
LINDSAY LOHAN
MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG
Not many people can say that they became a celebrity when they were only three years old. This is the case for Michelle Trachtenberg, who has gone on to be a familiar face. The actress made a name for herself by starring in Harriet the Spy, Meego, EuroTrip, and All My Children. She landed her first TV appearance for an ad for Wisk detergent when she was still just a toddler. A lot of people will also remember her performances in TV shows such as Gossip Girl, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Adventures of Pete & Pete. While you do not often see her in recent projects, we bet that this is nothing but a temporary hiatus.
MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG
MISCHA BARTON
When you were nine years old, you probably did not know what you wanted to do with your life just yet. Despite this, Mischa Anne Marsden Barton already launched an acting career to great success. She has since earned a long resume thanks to her beauty and acting skills. She made her debut on the Broadway stage in Slavs! The actress ended up transitioning to screen work in the hopes of advancing her career. In 1997, she made her big screen debut in Lawn Dogs. She had been working for Ford Modeling Agency at the time and was in campaigns for Vogue, Gitano, and Calvin Klein. She went on to appear in more TV and movie projects while going to Manhattan’s Professional Children’s School.
MISCHA BARTON
RAVEN-SYMONE
When she was still a child, Raven-Symoné played Olivia in The Cosby Show. This did not mark the end but the beginning of her career. The talented actress actually started out as a child model when she was ten years old. She is a talented singer with four best-selling albums to her name as well. Of course, her true claim to fame is her portrayal of Raven Baxter in a Disney show called That’s So Raven. It was such a hit sitcom that it gave the network the best ratings it had ever seen when it was on the air for four and a half years. She also starred in The Cheetah Girls of the network. There is no doubt that she has cemented her status as one of the most famous child artists ever.
RAVEN SYMONE
TOM WELLING
When he launched his acting career, Tom Welling was dubbed one of the most talented young actors. He launched his career after being discovered by a catalog shoot scout. He later took on work as an Abercrombie & Fitch print model. Once he realized that he wanted to give acting a shot, he decided to move to Los Angeles and auditioned for all the roles that he could to make ends meet. After a while, he landed a small role in Judging Amy. He eventually tried out for a nationwide search for the next person to bring Superman to life. Luckily for him, he finally got his big break when he secured the role and starred in Smallville. He did a great job of playing the superhero and earned international acclaim for his performance in the TV show despite his limited acting experience prior to it.
TOM WELLING
FAMKE JANSSEN
Hailing from the Netherlands, Famke Janssen is easily one of the most famous Dutch celebrities around. She has shown us that she has what it takes to be a big star in the industry. Like many other people on the list, she also transitioned from model to actress. She started modeling when she was still young. In 1984, she moved to the United States to work with Chanel. Later on, she developed an interest in acting and pursued it more seriously. She made her debut in Fathers & Sons, which was followed by appearances in The Untouchables and Melrose Place. What gave her the big break she so wanted was GoldenEye, which was a popular film franchise. She was also in X-Men, The Ten, Taken, and 100 Feet.
FAMKE JANSSEN
REBECCA ROMIJN
Before Rebecca Romjin became one of the biggest actresses around, she was first a top model. She has worked for brands like Victoria’s Secret and Christian Dior in the past. It is an understatement to say that she has found success in the acting industry. She is probably best known for playing Mystique in X-Men and X-Men 2. It is not a secret that the franchise is one of the most popular series in film history, so this established her as a hot commodity in Hollywood. You might have also seen her in The Librarians and King & Maxwell on the small screen. On top of that, she was the presenter of a reality TV show called Skin Wars. She has also done voice acting.
REBECCA ROMIJN
ANDIE MACDOWELL
How did Andie MacDowell make it big as an actress? She actually started out as a model. In 1978, she moved to New York and landed a contract with Elite Model Management. After this, she moved to Paris and found success in the modeling industry in Europe. During her time there, she modeled for Armani, Bill Blass, and Vogue. She has also graced billboards in Times Square, as well as the small screen. When it comes to acting, she got her start by appearing in Lord of the Apes and Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan. What made her a big star was her role in St. Elmo’s Fire This TV show made it clear that this actress was more than just eye candy. She hit her stride on the big screen by starring in Footloose and Green Card. MacDowell was also cast in Cedar Cove and Magic Mike XXL.
ANDIE MACDOWELL
MILLA JOVOVICH
After appearing on the cover of a magazine at only 11 years old, Milla Jovovich has been sought-after. She was not even a teenager when she was included in Revlon’s Most Unforgettable Women in the World list. The youngest cover model in the world made $3,500 a day and graced the covers of thirteen magazines. She has also worked for brands such as Versace, Christian Dior, L’Oreal, Donna Karan, and Banana Republic in the past. Later on, she decided to try her hand at acting as well. She got her big break in a movie called The Night Train to Kathmandu and starred in a couple of other films. In 1991, her acting career finally took off with Return to the Blue Lagoon opposite Christian Slater and Kuffs. However, she is probably best known for Resident Evil and The Fifth Element. She also has a production company called Creature Entertainment.
MILLA JOVOVICH
TRICIA HELFER
As a model and actress, Tricia Helfer saw a good chunk of fame and success in the two industries. She worked for brands like Ralph Lauren, Gianni Versace, and Giorgio Armani. When it comes to her acting career, she is best known for playing Number Six in Battlestar Galactica. She was also in Lie to Me, Lucifer, and Dark Blue. At the age of 17, she and her friends had been passing the time at the movie theater when she was scouted. This was how she started modeling. The rest is history. In 1992, she was declared the winner of the Supermodel of The World competition. This gave her the chance to sign with Elite Model Management and work for some of the most prestigious brands and magazines in the world. While she has since retired from modeling, she continues to promote a number of products.
TRICIA HELFER
DIANE KRUGER
You might remember Diane Kruger for her performances in Troy, Inglourious Basterds, and National Treasure. The German actress first moved to Paris in pursuit of a modeling career. She represented her home country in the Elite Model Look and worked for brands such as Giorgio Armani, Christian Dior, Chanel, and Yves Saint Laurent. Aside from that, she has graced the covers of magazines like Cosmopolitan and Vogue Paris. When she was 22 years old, she decided to quit modeling at the height of her career in the hopes of transitioning into acting instead. After a couple of small parts in French movies, she finally got her big break by starring in Michel Vaillant. Kruger is known for her work in the fashion industry. Among others, she is the face of Beauty for Calvin Klein and the global ambassador of L’Oreal.
DIANE KRUGER
OLGA KURYLENKO
This talented star brought Nika Boronia to life in the big screen adaptation of a video game called Hitman. Aside from that, she joined the rank of Bond girls in the role of Camille Montes in Quantum of Solace. She was discovered by a female scout in Moscow when she was only 13 years old. She then signed a deal with the Parisian modeling agency Madison, a contract that changed everything for her. By the time she was 18, she had already appeared on the covers of Elle and Vogue. She has served as the face of Clarins, Helena Rubinstein, Bebe, and more. Thanks to her career as a model, it was a smooth transition into the acting industry for her. Aside from her role as a Bond girl, she has also appeared in a sci-fi flick called Oblivion opposite A-lister Tom Cruise.
OLGA KURYLENKO
MONICA BELLUCCI
Do you know Monica Bellucci for playing Persephone in The Matrix saga? She was great in that role but acting was not her first love. The Italian star actually kicked off her career by modeling for brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Dior. When it comes to her filmography, she has appeared in movies such as The Passion of Christ and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Over the years, she has been dubbed one of the most gorgeous women in the world and even brought home accolades like the European Golden Globe. She also received the Silver Ribbon for Best Supporting Actress award. Even though her acting career has since slowed down, we are sure that her career is far from over. There is no doubt in our minds that we will see more of this stunning woman in the future.
MONICA BELLUCCI
KATE UPTON
Isn’t it neat to learn that Kate Upton got offered a contract when she went to a casting call for Elite Model Management? She then relocated to New York and joined IMG models later on. A lot of people know her best for her appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, although she also worked with Guess and other fashion brands. The first movie that she ever worked on is called The Other Woman. She was nominated for a Teen Choice Award for this role, which is pretty impressive for a debut! She then got cast to appear in The Layover, as well as The Disaster Artist. Even though both her acting and modeling career have slowed down since then, we are sure that she is happy where she is. She and Justin Verlander are married and have a daughter together.
KATE UPTON
ELLE MACPHERSON
In the hopes of saving up for law school tuition, Elle Macpherson started to model. However, she ended up changing her career path when she saw a lot of success in this industry. In the ‘80s, she was among the most in-demand supermodels around. It was common enough to spot her on the pages of Elle. Time Magazine also called her Elle “The Body” Macpherson. For five years, she graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Mind you, she does more than just model. She is on the list because she has also pursued an acting career. For one thing, she was a love interest of Joey in Friends. Aside from this, she was also in The Mirror Has Two Faces, Batman & Robin, and Sirens. She launched a lingerie, maternity clothing, and fitness wear line as well. It is clear that she is more than just eye candy!
ELLE MACPHERSON
BROOKLYN DECKER
When she was at the mall, Brooklyn Decker was spotted by a scout. In 2003, she won the Model of the Year award. She moved to New York to take her modeling career more seriously and later appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Over the years, she has appeared in fashion magazines such as Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Teen Vogue. Modeling aside, she has tried her hand in acting as well. You saw her in The Devil Wears Prada, although you will not find her in the credits. She earned a bigger role in Lipshitz Saves the World and made guest appearances in TV shows such as Ugly Betty, Chuck, and Royal Pains. While most people do not know her as an actress, she did gain a bunch of fans thanks to her stint in Swimsuit Illustrated.
BROOKLYN DECKER
CARA DELEVINGNE
This English model saw success on the catwalk before she started acting. Cara Delevingne has a sister called Poppy, who did modeling work first. While she was not an instant success, things changed for her when Christopher Bailey spotted her and offered her to work on the 2011 Burberry campaign. She had already done nine fashion shows by 2012. This was only the start of her career as she later made the transition to acting. Her first movie is none other than Anna Karenina, while she debuted on the small screen with Playhouse Presents. She was also in Paper Towns, Reincarnation, and The Face of an Angel. She dipped her toes into music as well, but she did not take it further as her handler told her that she would need to use a different name.
CARA DELEVINGNE
JAIME KING
Isn’t it awesome to hear that Jaime King was already a professional model when she was just 14 years old? She was scouted at a Nebraska fashion show and invited to do some modeling work in New York. This was how she started to travel back and forth. By the time she was 16 years old, she had already appeared worked with magazines like Allure, Vogue, Seventeen, and Harper’s Bazaar. She has tried her luck in acting as well. Her first job was to co-host House of Style for MTV. When it comes to films, she worked on Pearl Harbor, Sin City, The Spirit, Pearl Harbor, and Happy Campres. You probably saw her in The O.C. and The Class as well. After a little while in the industry, she could now afford to be picky with the projects that she works on.
JAIME KING
TYRA BANKS
Even though Tyra Banks first made a name for herself as a model, she now rakes in more from her successful TV career. She was a high school student when she kicked off her modeling career. When she was 16 years old, she signed with Elite Model Management and then relocate to Milan. In 1991, she walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week and booked 25 shows in her first season. It was clear that she has what it takes to be a supermodel. She has since walked for brands such as Oscar de la Renta, Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, and Chanel. The first time that she appeared on the small screen was for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, while she made her debut in film in Higher Learning. She was also in Coyote Ugly and Love Stinks. She made her stake in the industry by launching Ty Ty Baby Productions, although it is now called Bankable Productions.
TYRA BANKS
CLAUDIA SCHIFFER
This gorgeous German model took the world by storm with her good looks and grace. People said that Claudia Schiffer looks like Brigitte Bardot, which must have helped her shoot to stardom in the industry. She became even more famous when she appeared on the cover of Elle and Vogue. Aside from that, she also served as the face of Chanel and worked with Guess Jeans. When it comes to acting, she made her debut in the Richie Rich movie. She also had roles in Zoolander and Love, Actually. While she no longer models as much as she used to, it is clear that things have worked out for her very well. She does not have to worry about finances due to her investment planning.
CLAUDIA SCHIFFER
EMILY RATAJKOWSKI
Did you know that Emily Ratajkowski launched her career when Ford models signed her at the age of 14? She first started modeling for teen print catalogs and brands such as Kohls and Nordstrom. She decided to give acting a shot as well. In the past, she was typically cast to play cheerleaders and bullies. She decided to focus on her modeling career some more so that she could choose better roles and projects. Her big break came in the form of Treats, which helped her land commercial gigs with Carl’s Jr. and Nikon. What truly made her a household name was her appearance in the music video of “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke. While it proved to be a controversial video, the career move had been a successful one for her.
EMILY RATAJKOWSKI
ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY
When Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was just starting out, she worked with Profile. She landed her first modeling gig at the age of 16 years old. It was for a Levi’s commercial. In 2004, she earned even more success by appearing in Teen Vogue. She made her runway debut together with Naomi Campbell, which is no small feat. In 2006, she was also in a Victoria’s Secret fashion show. She only earned international model status two years after that. After some time, she decided to go into acting by appearing in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. She followed this up by playing the pregnant wife of the villain in Mad Max: Fury Road. We do not know if she plans to take on more acting roles in the future. Right now, she is in a committed relationship with actor Jason Statham. This lovely couple has a little boy together.
ROSIE HUNTINGTON WHITELEY
NAOMI CAMPBELL
There is no way that the world will forget Naomi Campbell. After all, she is one of the most successful and bankable supermodels in the history of fashion. Her career was at its peak in the ‘80s and ‘90s. She was discovered by Synchro Model Agency’s Beth Boldt while she was window shopping back in the day. Before she even turned 16 years old, she had already posed for Elle UK. She was among the first supermodels ever with the likes of Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer, and Linda Evangelista. Modeling is not her only line of work as she has also dabbled in acting and music. Among other things, she was in I Feel Pretty, American Horror Story, Empire, and Zoolander.
NAOMI CAMPBELL
GAL GADOT
At the moment, most people know Gal Gadot as the latest actress to bring Wonder Woman to life. Before she got this big break, she was a model first. She participated in various beauty pageants, which must have been easy for someone with her beauty and grace. In 2004, she even joined Miss Universe. She went on to launch a modeling career after this. She also earned a degree, after which she started to take acting seriously. While she did not land the Bond Girl role in Quantum of Solace, she did gain a following after appearing in the Fast and Furious series. She was also in Date Night and Knight & Day. It is interesting to note that she has martial arts training, which must have come in handy when she was cast to play the most famous superheroine in the world.
GAL GADOT
MOLLY SIMS
As a model, Molly Sims established herself as a celebrity. Like many other women on the list, she became even more famous after appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. She studied at Vanderbilt University, but she dropped out to pursue her modeling career instead. Among other things, she has worked as an Old Navy spokeswoman, a House of Style hostess, and more. Her modeling career has been a huge success. Modeling aside, she also started a jewelry line of her own called Grayce. In terms of acting, she has been in Yes Man, Fired Up, The Pink Panther 2, and The Benchwarmers. She has since stepped away from the limelight, probably to take care of her family. She is married to Scott Stuber, with whom she has a son.
MOLLY SIMS
GISELE BUNDCHEN
Can you believe how many people started modeling when they were only 14 years old or so? Gisele Bundchen is another person on that list. She got her big break when she appeared in New York Fashion Week n 1996. The first few years of her career had been tough, but she finally walked for the “Rain” campaign of Alexander McQueen in 1998. She blew people away because she managed to walk down the slippery runway in high heels. This helped her score more jobs and shot her to stardom. She has been credited for paving the way for other Brazilian models. Many people also know her as one of Victoria’s Secret Angels in the past. When it comes to acting, she was in a movie called Taxi.
GISELE BUNDCHEN
ABBEY LEE KERSHAW
In 2007, Abbey Lee Kershaw signed a contract with Next Management. The Australian beauty was even called the “Next Superstar.” The following year, she made her runway debut at New York Fashion Week and did 29 shows. Even though she has tripped on the runway in high heels and fainted due to a tight corset, her career did not slow down. She also decided that she wanted to try her hand at things outside of modeling. She was also a part of the cast of Mad Max: Fury Road. Aside from this, she was also in The Dark Tower, The Neon Demon, Gods of Egypt, and Lovecraft Country. Thanks to the success she has seen, she is probably set for life by now.
ABBEY LEE KERSHAW
JAMIE DORNAN
Before Jamie Dornan launched his acting career, he was already making it big in the modeling world. He had even received the “Golden Torso” nickname courtesy of the New York Times. Even though he had always wanted to act, he first did modeling to appease his family. He made his first TV appearance in a show called Model Behaviour. Later in his career, he worked for fashion houses such as Hugo Boss, Abercrombie & Fitch, Armani, and Calvin Klein. It was difficult for him to snag roles at the beginning because most people think of models as bad actors. We are glad that he got his foot in the door by starring in The Fall. Of course, what really made him a big star was playing the male lead character in the Fifty Shades movies. Apart from that role, he was also in My Dinner with Herve and Barb, Star Go to Vista Del Mar, and A Private War.
JAMIE DORNAN
MARILYN MONROE
No other Hollywood actress is anywhere near iconic as Marilyn Monroe, who has left a huge mark in the industry and beyond. She was a factory worker during the Second World War, but things changed for her when David Conover discovered her in 1945. It did not take much time before she made it big as a pin-up girl. Thanks to her success, it was not hard for her to land contracts with Columbia Pictures and 20th Century Fox as an actress. In 1950, she went back to modeling but kept acting anyway. By 1953, she was already considered one of the hottest women in show business. You can thank How to Marry a Millionaire, Niagara, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes for that. On top of that, her centerfold and cover features in magazines made her even more famous than she already was.
MARILYN MONROE
HALLE BERRY
Before Halle Berry became the excellent actress that she is, she was a model first and foremost. In the ‘80s, she joined a couple of beauty contests. She was the 1986 Miss Ohio USA and even finished first runner-up in Miss USA. In New York City, she pursued a modeling career but got sidetracked by acting. Her debut role was in a TV show called Living Dolls. In the ‘90s, she saw a lot of success by starring in Introducing Dorothy Dandrige. She earned an Academy Award nomination for this role, which was a historical feat since no other African American actress has done that prior. Her success only grew in the 2000s when she worked on the X-Men movies and Monster’s Ball. Thanks to the latter, she made history once more by being the first woman of color to receive an Academy Award. She has not modeled in a while, but we can’t deny that she is still a beauty.
HALLE BERRY
CHARLIZE THERON
There is no way you can deny that Charlize Theron is a very accomplished actress. But did you know that she had been modeling when she was a teenager? She scored a one-year modeling deal in Italy after she won a competition at the age of 16. After this, she left for the United States to pursue her career more seriously. In New York, she trained to be a ballet dancer until she got injured. She later relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting. In 1995, she made her debut in a movie called Children of the Corn III with the help of a talent agent by the name of John Crosby. Two years later, she cemented herself in the industry with her performance in The Devil’s Advocate. She went on to star in The Yards, Trapped, and Sweet November. In the 2000s, she earned global fame with The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, North Country, and Monster.
CHARLIZE THERON
UMA THURMAN
She might have made a name for herself as a leading lady, but Uma Thurman did not start out as an actress. When she was 15 years old, she started to model. The credit goes to her mom Nena von Schlebrügge, who was a model herself. Thurman graced the pages of Glamour and Vogue within a year. In 1987, she discovered acting and debuted in a thriller called Kiss Daddy Goodnight. The year after that, she left prep school so that she could focus on her career some more. It was clear that she was full of talent even when she was still just starting out. She earned A-list status when she appeared in Pulp Fiction. After that, she and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino also worked on the Kill Bill duology. As we all know, it was also received well by the critics and the viewers.
UMA THURMAN
JANUARY JONES
Even though she is better known as an actress now, January Jones also got her start as a model. She was 18 years old when she launched her career in New York City. A scout spotted her when she was still in high school. She then went on to model for brands like Clearasil, Versace, and Abercrombie & Fitch. Aside from that, she also modeled for fashion magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Bazaar, and GQ. She might have achieved a lot of success in this field, but she later decided to go into acting. In 1999, she made her debut and mostly earned minor roles. Things changed for her when she was cast to play Betty Draper in Mad Men in 2007. By the time the show ended in 2015, she had gotten nominated for an Emmy and two Golden Globes. She also won a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2020, she starred in Spinning Out. We think it is neat that she is involved in marine conservation.
JANUARY JONES
LILY COLLINS
In case you did not know, Lily Collins is the daughter of Phil Collins. However, she is an accomplished woman in her own right as well. She was only two years old when she started acting. In her teens, she decided to focus more on modeling. Her debut had been huge because Chanel chose her to wear a gown design in 2007. Around the same time, she had been writing articles for magazines like Elle Girl, Seventeen, and Vogue. It makes sense once you hear that she has a journalism degree courtesy of the University of Southern California. She has since focused on acting. She was in two 90210 episodes in 2009 and starred in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, Mirror, Mirror, and Rules Don’t Appy. You have probably heard about her starring in the hit Netflix show Emily in Paris not that long ago.
LILY COLLINS
SUKI WATERHOUSE
As a model, Suki Waterhouse made a name for herself in the challenging world of show business. She had been 16 years old when she launched her career in London. After three years, she was hired to be a lingerie model for Marks and Spencer. Aside from that, she also worked with H&M, Topshop, Swatch, and Tommy Hilfiger. You might have also seen her on the covers of Vogue, Elle, L’Officiel, and Lucky back then. She used her success as a model to pursue other interests such as business, photography, and acting. In 2010, she appeared in a dystopian thriller called The Bad Batch. She went on to appear in Billionaire Boys Club, Insurgent, and Jonathan. In 2013, she also held a photo exhibition to show off her work as a photographer. When it comes to business, she worked with Poppy Jamie and Leo Seigal to launch an accessories line called Pop & Suki. Their products have been worn by the likes of Lady Gaga, Jessica Alba, and Taylor Hill.
SUKI WATERHOUSE
IAN SOMERHALDER
While he might be one of the biggest TV stars in the world right now, Ian Somerhalder first made it big as a child model. He began modeling when he was just ten years old! He saw modest success but stopped when he was 13 years old. Four years later, he dabbled in acting and saw even more success. In 2000, he made his debut in Young Americans. His big break came in the form of a character called Boone Carlyle in Lost. Of course, the actor is best known for playing Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries. More recently, he was in a sci-fi show called V Wars. We admire him even more for his involvement in charities and advocacies such as animal welfare, LGBT rights, and environmentalism. He even joined the clean-up after the Deepwater Horizon mess in 2010.
IAN SOMERHALDER
SHARON STONE
While she has since enjoyed a long acting career, Sharon Stone started out as a model. In the mid-‘70s, she joined Miss Pennsylvania, dropped out of college, and pursued modeling. She scored a contract with Ford Models in New York City. After this, she left for Europe for more work opportunities. However, she gained an interest in acting not long after that. In 1980, she made her debut as an extra in Stardust Memories. In the ‘80s, she was also in Bay City Blues, Above the Law, and King Solomon’s Mines. Her most famous projects were, without the shadow of a doubt, Total Recall and Basic Instinct. She was also in Bobby, Ratched, and Casino. We are glad that she went back to school and finished her college degree in 2016
SHARON STONE
JOSH HOLLOWAY
Acting might have made him the big star that he now is, but Josh Holloway was once a model for fashion houses in Los Angeles. He dropped out of college because of financial difficulties. We are glad that it all worked out for him as he saw success as a runway and print model. He has since worked for brands like Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Dolce & Gabbana. In 1999, he launched his acting career in an Angel episode. He was also in the music video of “Cryin’ Back” by Aerosmith. After a couple of small TV roles, he earned his big break by playing Sawyer Ford in Lost. The hit show was on the air for six years and made him very famous. His next big project was a TV series called Colony, which was on the air for two years. He now stars in Yellowstone.
JOSH HOLLOWAY
LILY COLE
True, Lily Cole has seen success as an actress and entrepreneur. We daresay that this would not have been possible if it had not been for her solid modeling career. She was only 16 years old when she made her debut. It did not take long before fashion photographers were enamored with her and her red hair. She has since modeled for many magazines and brands. Among others, she has modeled for Versace, DKNY, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. People took even more notice of this lovely lady when she joined the closing ceremony at the Summer Olympics in London in 2012. In 2007, she started to act in a comedy called St. Trinian. She followed this up with a fantasy movie called The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus two years later. In 2010, she told Elle that she wanted to move on to acting even though she would keep modeling. In the past, she has supported WaterAid, PETA, and other charities.
LILY COLE
CHRISTIE BRINKLEY
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, Christie Brinkley was taking the fashion world by storm. A photographer by the name of Errol Sawyer discovered her in 1973. She then signed with Elite Model Management and then Ford Models later on. She graced the covers of various magazines and even signed a 25-year deal with CoverGirl, which is one of the longest ones in the modeling industry. What really shot her to global stardom was her appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She has since done even more modeling work thanks to her peppy girl-next-door vibe. Thanks to her successful modeling career, it was not hard for her to branch out into acting. In 1983, she made her first appearance in National Lampoon’s Vacation. She has also been in several shows and films such as The Goldbergs. When it comes to business, she has investments in real estate, alcohol, and beauty products.
CHRISTIE BRINKLEY
LAUREN BACALL
No matter how much time has passed, Lauren Bacall is still considered one of the greatest actresses ever. She would not have reached that level of success if it had not been for her work as a model. In 1941, she trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and worked as a theater usher and fashion model on the side. Her acting career began the following year, but she also saw a lot of success by modeling for Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and Life. This basically landed her the iconic role in To Have and Have Not. After that, she decided to put her focus and attention on acting. She was also in The Shootist, The Mirror Has Two Faces, and The Big Sleep. She received an honorary Academy Award in 2009 for her contributions to the film industry. Aside from that, she also bagged many prestigious award nominations and wins in the past.
LAUREN BACALL
RENE RUSSO
Just so you know, Rene Russo was a model before she made it big as an actress. After doing a number of odd jobs, she was scouted and signed with Ford Models in 1972. It did not take her long before she made it big as a model in the ‘70s and ‘80s. She went on to grace the covers of Cosmopolitan, Vogue, and Mademoiselle. She is known to be confident and tenacious. In the late ‘80s, her modeling career started to slow down. This might be the reason she went into acting. In 1987, she made her debut on the small screen but found even more success by starring in Major League. Her big break is generally considered to be Lethal Weapon 3 with Michael Keaton and Danny Glover. In the Line of Fire and Get Shorty were both critically acclaimed. These days, people know her better for playing Frigga in the Thor movies.
RENE RUSSO
KELLAN LUTZ
Before he moved on to acting, Kellan Lutz was first a model. He also used to study chemical engineering, which is pretty cool! He got his first TV gig when he appeared in a reality TV show called Model Citizens. This gave him more modeling opportunities. Among other things, he appeared in an ad for the With Love… Hilary Duff fragrance. In the 2000s, his acting career started to gain more traction. He was cast to star in Accepted, Prom Night, and Stick It. Of course, what made him a big star was playing one of the vampires in the Twilight saga. He is still modeling to this day, although he has also proven his worth as an actor. More recently, he worked on an underwear campaign with Calvin Klein. He is currently signed with Ford Models.
KELLAN LUTZ
AGYNESS DEYN
This former model made a name for herself with her runway appearances in the 2000s. At the time, Agyness Deyn was among the most in-demand models. She decided to call it quits in 2010. After that, she started to act more. You might have seen her in Patient Zero, Clash of the Titans, and Electricity. She also worked on the song “Who” by Five O’Clock Heroes and appeared in the music video. It is awesome to learn that she launched a fashion line of her own as well. Right now, she is busy as a fashion designer and actress at the same time. How impressive is it that she juggles both with her role as a mother as well? She has two children, whom she clearly adores.
AGYNESS DEYN
DREE HEMINGWAY
It probably helps that Dree Hemingway is the great-granddaughter of one of the most prominent authors in history. Despite this, she is a talented actress and model in her own right. In the 2000s, she got her start as a print ad model. She also appeared on the runway for Givenchy back in 2009. That was the same year that she did shows for Calvin Klein and Topshop. She considers those the height of her modeling career as these gigs gave her more opportunities in the industry. Around the same time, she also followed in the footsteps of her mother and dipped her toes into acting. She has mostly worked on independent films such as Listen Up Philip and While We’re Young. In 2019, she also appeared in a thriller called Run with the Hunted.
DREE HEMINGWAY
JOY BRYANT
The truth is that Joy Bryant did not expect to be a famous Hollywood star. She started to model after she was discovered by a scout while she was studying. It gave her more gigs that let her pay the bills and more. She scored print modeling gigs for Playboy, InStyle, and Vanity Fair. In 2001, she went into acting just as her modeling career was taking off. She debuted in a Robert Townsend film called Carmen: A Hip Hopera. She was also in Antwone Fisher, which was a great career move as it opened even more doors for her. She has since launched her own business in the form of a production company called Hot sauce. The star co-founded it with her friend Samantha Taylor Pickett.
JOY BRYANT
MARK WAHLBERG
This Hollywood actor has a lot of talents under his belt. Acting aside, Mark Wahlberg has also worked as a rapper and producer over the course of his career. You might not have known that he was a model before anything else. In 1992, he first put his good looks as a model for Calvin Klein ads. He also scored gigs with various magazines and brands, even getting the chance to work with Kate Moss. Things changed when he started to venture into acting and music. In the early ‘90s, he released a pair of albums called “You Gotta Believe” and “Music for the People.” At last, he made his acting debut in a movie called Renaissance Man. The rest is history. He is now an A-list actor who has also dabbled in the world of business as a restaurateur.
MARK WAHLBERG
ALEXIS BLEDEL
We are not at all surprised to hear that Alexis Bledel has appeared in fashion magazines in the past. After all, she has the beauty and grace to match! In the early 2000s, she was a print ad model. You might have seen her before if you used to read Glamour, Seventeen, Elle Girl, Cosmo Girl, and Teen Vogue. She was even added to the Teen People list of the 25 Hottest Stars under 25. This gave her a popularity boost when she was just starting out. She made her big screen debut in a movie called Tuck Everalsting. However, the star is probably best known for appearing in Gilmore Girls, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Sin City. She recently starred in The Handmaid’s Tale and even brought home a Primetime Emmy Award in this role.
ALEXIS BLEDEL
AMANDA SEYFRIED
In reality, Amanda Seyfriend had been familiar with the cameras even before she hit her teen years. She was only 11 years old when she started to pose for commercials and print ads. At the age of 15, she entered the acting industry by playing a recurring character in the CBS soap opera As the World Turns. This role cemented her status as a teen star in Hollywood. She also played Joni Stafford in All My Children, but her true big break came when she starred in movies like Mamma Mia, Jennifer’s Body, and Mean Girls. While she has since stepped away from the limelight, she is doing well as a mother and wife. She now focuses on her family, although she still works on projects every now and then. Right now, she lives on a farm with her husband and children.
AMANDA SEYFRIED
CHACE CRAWFORD
With his good looks, is it really a surprise that Chase Crawford has worked as a model? He was actually juggling a number of jobs when he was in high school. Before he entered the world of acting, he already modeled for Hollister and worked as a car valet attendance. He went to college, although he chose to drop out to focus on acting. Of course, he became a household name when he brought Nate Archibald to life in Gossip Girl. Aside from that, he was also in Twelve, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, The Covenant, and more. His Hollywood career would not have gotten this far if he were just another pretty face. We can’t wait to see what he does next.
CHACE CRAWFORD
EDDIE REDMAYNE
In the 2000s, this English actor was a full-time model. Eddie Redmayne was even the face of Burberry in 2008. He has worked with the likes of Cara Delevingne and Alex Pettyfer. Vanity Fair even included him in the Best Dressed List around the same time. He ended up changing his career path after he found success as an actor. He used to appear on the West End stage, although he saw even more success in film and TV. The star finally became a full-fledged actor after landing a role in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. This cemented his status as a talented actor. It is not hard to see why he currently has a net worth of an incredible $4 million right now. He deserves all that and more.
EDDIE REDMAYNE
FREIDA PINTO
This Indian actress has earned international stardom after working on various British and American movies. When she was a college student, she received a bunch of modeling and acting offers. She turned them down back then since she wanted to first finish her English literature degree. It is clear to us that she has both beauty and brains! Once she graduated from college, she started to work as a model with Elite Model Management. She went on to pose for brands like Wrigley’s Chewing Gum, eBay, De Beers, Vodafone, and more. In 2008, she made a splash in the acting industry by starring in Slumdog Millionaire. In case you forgot, the movie won Best Picture at the Academy Awards! She also received a number of awards for this role such as the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress – Drama and the Palm Spring International Film Festival Award for Breakthrough Performance. This role, needless to say, gave her more opportunities in the entertainment industry.
FREIDA PINTO
GWYNETH PALTROW
For several decades now, Gwyneth Paltrow is one of the most popular actresses in the industry. We are sure that she has inherited both her good looks and acting chops from her mother Blythe Danner, who was also a big star in her own right back in the day. But you might not have known that prior to her acting career, Paltrow was a model first. This gorgeous woman started serving as the face of Estee Lauder in 1995. Aside from that, she was also the ambassador of Coach. Around this time, she was showing off her acting chops in a number of projects. She has since worked on movies like The Royal Tenenbaums, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Ironman, and more. Acting aside, she has also launched a business of her own. You have probably heard of GOOP, her lifestyle brand, in the past. She is known as an advocate of health and wellness. She was once married to Chris Martin, with whom she has two children. They have since split up, but she has found love once more with Falchuk.
GWYNETH PALTROW
BROOKE SHIELDS
When she was still just a teenager, Brooke Shields caught the attention of the world with her Calvin Klein work and Pretty Baby. In reality, she had been modeling since she was just 11 months old. It feels like she was simply born to be a star! In her youth, her mom made her take piano, ballet, and even horse-riding lessons. She was 14 years old when she made history as the youngest person to model for Vogue magazine. These days, she is one of the biggest Hollywood stars thanks to her acting and modeling work. In the early ‘80s, she earned a degree in French literature from Princeton. She later came back to appear in TV shows like Friends and Two and a Half Men.
BROOKE SHIELDS
ANGELINA JOLIE
When she was still a high school student, Angelina Jolie gave modeling a shot under the direction of her mother. She did not see much success in this line of work, but this worked out well for the acting industry at the very least. For two years, she trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. She landed her first leading role in a sci-fi thriller called Cyborg 2. It did not take long before she started bringing home awards and becoming an A-lister. Acting aside, she also directed, wrote, and produced In the Land of Blood and Honey. She has been the highest-paid actress in the world many times now and gets $20 million per role. More recently, this talented actress played the titular character in Maleficient.
ANGELINA JOLIE
ASHTON KUTCHER
This Iowa native got approached by a scout for a modeling gig. Ashton Kutcher saw the peak of his modeling career when he participated in a pageant and won the “Male Model of the Year” award. A couple of years after that, he became one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood. He has since appeared in a lot of shows and movies. The actor landed his highest-paying gig when he replaced Charlie Sheen in Two and a Half Men, reportedly making about $20 million for one season. Aside from that, he has also entered the world of venture capitalism by launching A-Grade Investments. The Hollywood star has helped startups like Spotify, Soundcloud, Uber, and AirBnB this way. He is now married to his former That ‘70s Show costar Mila Kunis, with whom he has two kids.
ASHTON KUTCHER
BRAD PITT
As he tried to make it big in the acting industry, Brad Pitt did a modeling gig for Levi’s. He decided to leave college only a few weeks before finishing his degree to pursue bigger and better things. After moving to California, he landed his first movie role as an extra in Hunk. The actor got lucky when he landed a minor role in Thelma and Louise and proved his worth as an actor. He got cast to star in A River Runs Through It, Se7en, and 12 Monkeys. Thanks to his dedication to these projects, he shot up to the A-list. Aside from acting, he has also worked as a producer and earned more money this way. In fact, it might even be more lucrative than acting.
BRAD PITT
CAMERON DIAZ
Even though most people know her for her acting work, Cameron Diaz launched her modeling career at the age of 16. She has since traveled and worked in different parts of the globe. After modeling for five years, she tried out for the lead female role in The Mask and established herself as a real star. She has since become an A-lister with hits like There’s Something About Mary and My Best Friend’s Wedding under her belt. In 2014, the actress finally quit acting. This is the reason we have not seen her in front of the camera since Annie came out in 2014. She tied the knot with Benji Madden in 2015. The couple has a child between them.
CAMERON DIAZ
CHANNING TATUM
When Channing Tatum started his career, he worked on campaigns for brands like Armani, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Dolce & Gabbana. Aside from that, he was cast as a dancer in the music video for “She Bangs” by Ricky Martin. Later on, it became clear that there was more to him than meets the eye. He was cast to star in blockbuster hits such as G.I. Joe and Dear John. The actor also brought home about $90 million for his work on Magic Mike> He has worked as a producer in the past as well. Among other things, he and Dito Montiel teamed up for A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints. He even started two production companies: 33andOut Productions and Iron Horse Entertainment. Not that long ago, he purchased a house in Brentwood for $5.6 million.
CHANNING TATUM
CORBIN BLEU
We have another actor who started to do commercials when he was still young. Corbin Bleu actually got his first modeling gig at the age of two. After working with brands like Hasbro and Nabisco, he modeled for Macy’s and Gap. At the age of six, he made his debut on the stage. He studied at the High School of Performing Arts. Before he got his big break in High School Musical, he first appeared in Malcolm & Eddie and The Amanda Show. He also brought Jeffrey King to life in One Life to Live. Did you know that he has tried his hand at a music career as well? He has two albums to his name: “Speed of Light” and “Another Side.” The actor has been spending a lot of time and effort on several charities. He has been in a relationship with his wife Sasha Clements since 2013.
CORBIN BLEU
HAYDEN PANETTIERE
Just like Brooke Shields, this start got her first modeling work at the age of 11 months. Before she could even talk, Hayden Panettiere worked on an ad for Playskool. She spent her childhood years appearing in various soap operas such as One Life to Live, Touched by an Angel, and Guiding Light. The actress received acclaim for her work in If You Believe. Even though she has spent a lot of time in front of the camera, she is a talented singer as well. Her fame grew even more when she starred in Heroes and then Nashville. The latter was on the air for six seasons and earned her a number of nominations.
HAYDEN PANETTIERE
JAMES MARSDEN
It is pretty impressive to see just how well James Marsden can play an action star and romantic villain. The actor has been in the industry for quite some time now. Before he worked on X-Men and The Notebook, he modeled for Versace and took up broadcast journalism in college. He left college to pursue his acting career a year and a half into his degree. In 1993, he earned small parts in The Nanny and Saved by the Bell. The year after that, he appeared in his first feature film and racked up roles in various TV shows and movies. He has been playing Ben Wood in a Netflix series called Dead to Me. His recent works include Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and The Boss Baby: Family Business. We wonder what is next for this talented actor.
JAMES MARSDEN
JASON LEWIS
Before Jason Lewis played Smith in Sex and the City, he was a sought-after model. He has previously worked with brands like Guess, Hugo Boss, and Tommy Hilfiger. After graduating from college, he went to Milan and Paris to pursue his modeling career. As an actor, he got his big screen debut in a romantic comedy called Next Stop Wonderland. He landed a recurring part in Beverly Hills 90210 as well. Aside from his biggest role in Sex and the City, he was also in How I Met Your Mother, CSI, and Charmed. He was also a regular in films. In 2018, he worked on Midnight, Texas and Half Magic.
JASON LEWIS
JENNIFER CONNELLY
In 1984, Jennifer Connelly made her debut in Once Upon a Time in America. The actress has worked on print ads and TV projects. She has graced the covers of Muppet Magazine and Seventeen in the past. Even though she saw success early on, she did not become a household name until she starred in Requiem for a Dream. This role earned her high praise and even The New York Times wrote about her performance. In 2001, she followed this up with a role in A Beautiful Mind. She brought home ten honors for it and landed parts in The Day the Earth Stood Still and Blood Diamond. Acting aside, she did modeling work for Shisheido, Revlon, and Balenciaga.
JENNIFER CONNELLY
ROBERT PATTINSON
Say what you want about Twilight, but it undoubtedly made Robert Pattinson the star that he now is. Mind you, he did not have everything handed to him easily. When he was a teenager, he decided to work as a photo model for fashion companies and publications. He eventually developed a love of film. In 2013, he became the face of Dior Homme Fragrances. Three years later, he became the first brand ambassador for the menswear range of the fashion house. He caught the attention of an agent while performing in Tess of the D’Ubervilles. In 2005, he shot to fame after playing Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Aside from the aforementioned projects, the actor was also in Remember Me, Love and Distrust, and more.
ROBERT PATTINSON
DJIMON HOUNSOU
A former homeless person, Hounsou while down on his luck bumped into top fashion designer, Thierry Mugler, who encouraged him to enter the fashion world, modelling in particular. Having started out in Paris, Hounsou made a name for himself in the fashion world before moving state-side to break into the acting world. Starting with small roles on Beverly Hills, ER and 90210; Hounsou went on to be nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in 1997 movie, “Amistad”. More recently, he has starred as Korath in the MCU, as well as King Ricou in “Aquaman”. Hounsou also starred in the exciting John Krasinski horror sequel, “A Quiet Place Part II”.
Djimon Hounsou
JUSTIN CHAMBERS
Now quite well known for his role on “Grey’s Anatomy”, Chambers actually began his career with a stint in modelling. Scouted for the industry, Chambers modelled for some major brands which include Armani, D&G and Calvin Klein. When the 90s came by, Chambers decided to try his hand at acting. He was cast in soap operas “Another World” and “Four Corners” before moving onto films such as “Liberty Heights” and “The Wedding Planner”. Needless to say, it was in when he received the role of Dr. Alex Karev on Grey’s Anatomy that he was truly lifted high into his acting career.
Justin Chambers
ERIC WINTER
Best known for his roles on 2012’s “The Mentalist” and 2013-14’s “Witches of East End”, Eric Winter previously modelled for Tommy Hilfiger. Winter actually appeared in a commercial for Britney Spears’ fragrance, Curious, in the early 2000s. After this experience, Winter changed his interests from modelling to acting. Winter has also starred in popular comedy film “Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanomo Bay” and rom-com “The Ugly Truth”.
Eric Winter
MEHCAD BROOKS
Mehcad Brooks also began his career by modelling Calvin Klein underwear. From 2005, Brooks tried his hand at acting by landing a role on popular tv show “Desperate Housewives”. Since this time, Brooks has had roles on “True Blood”, “The Game” and “Supergirl”. Brooks attended USC’s school of Cinema-Television, and even turned down numerous basketball scholarships and other offers from Ivy League schools in order to attend USC. This is presumably where Brook’s acting interest peaked.
Mehcad Brooks
BOYD HOLBROOK
Known for his starring role in 2015’s “Narcos”, Holbrook actually began his career in modelling too. Holbrook walked major runways and partook in large campaigns in the modelling world. Working for top brands like Gucci, Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs and Moschino, he began to make a name for himself in the industry. He began his acting career starring in 2008’s “Milk”. The 6″2 blue-eyed, blonde actor-model also appeared in 2018’s “The Predator” and in 2019’s “The Shadow of the Moon”.
Boyd Holbrook
TYSON BECKFORD
The famous model famously modelled in the 1990s for Ralph Lauren, and went on to become one of the most famous male models of all time. It is of no significant surprise that Hollywood would eventually try and coax him into acting. In 2001 Beckford starred as himself in popular comedy film, “Zoolander”. Additionally, he starred in other popular films of that decade such as “The Biker Boyz” and “Into the Blue”. Beckford received most notoriety in the acting sector for his work in television; reality television specifically. Starring alongside Tyra Banks on “America’s Next Top Model, Beckford was a popular cast member for many seasons. He also hosted Bravo’s “Make Me a Supermodel” for a couple of seasons.
Tyson Beckford
ANTONIO SABATO JR.
Winning over the hearts of fans in his role as Jagger Cates on daytime’s “General Hospital”, Sabato Jr. began his career modelling for Calvin Klein as an underwear model. Following his General Hospital role, Sabato Jr made an even greater rise in popularity with his role as Jack Perezi on “Melrose Place”. His acting career continued to a lower degree, mostly on soap operas but that doesn’t take away from his acting success in the 2000s. Sabato Jr even ran for U.S Congress as the Republican candidate in the 2018 elections, albeit unsuccessfully. Some rise from underwear modelling to potential politician!
Antonio Sabato JR
SHEMAR MOORE
The star of popular show “Criminal Minds”, Shemar Moore made a name for himself initially in the modelling world. Mainly through his college years, he is signed to DNA Model Management in New York City. In 2009, he was the cover star of Men’s Fitness Magazine. Moore first made a name for himself on popular daytime soap, “The Young and the Restless”. Moore starred in this role from 1994 until 2005, to then reprise the role for five years in 2014. Moore is also the founder of retail company Baby Girl LLC, a company which uses profits to fight M.S (Multiple scleroris).
Shemar Moore
GABRIEL MANN
Best known for his role as Nolan on “Revenge”, Gabriel Mann was a runway model before he moved onto acting. Recently he also appeared on popular show “The Blacklist”, and also has an appearance on Netflix’s “What/If” to his name. It appears that with runway modelling, nerves often got the better of Mann. From an interview with Vanity Fair, Mann revealed that “If stone-cold sober, for some reason I forgot how to walk. Just, it’s easier to walk with a cocktail.” Maybe its a good thing he moved into the less pressuring sector of acting!
Gabriel Mann
REESE WITHERSPOON
Reese Witherspoon is possibly one of the more famous names on this list. Something unique about Witherspoon’s journey is that she started her modelling career at age 7. Speaking on the “Conan Show”, Witherspoon spoke about her child-modelling career. Apparently she earned $75 daily, while working twice within the year. Perhaps it doesn’t quite compare to the big bucks she may have made from her various movie exploits, but she was certainly adorable! Since then Witherspoon has made a name for herself in films such as “Legally Blonde”, “This Means War” and has won various accolades. Witherspoon has two Golden Globe awards to her name for work within films “Walk the Line” and “Big Little Lies”. A huge name and success in Hollywood, we can’t bel
Reese Witherspoon
SCOTT DISICK
Scott Disick began his career as a book cover model for the “Heartland” series. He went on to become the cover boy for romantic interest Ty Baldwin in this young adult novel series. Nowadays, he is known for being a very fashionable man in Hollywood, and began his acting career by appearing on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” as the boyfriend of Kourtney Kardashian. Having appeared on every season of the hit show, Disick made himself known for his suit-wearing. As well as featuring in other Kardashian spin-offs, he was also a judge on Miss Universe 2012 and even featured in a 2012 episode of Punk’d.
Scott Disick
Mila Kunis
A well-established actress in her own name at this point, Mila Kunis in her younger years appeared as a cover girl on several catalogs for famous children’s brand, Lisa Frank. Her acting career really took off when she landed the role of Jackie Burkhart on “That 70s Show”, as well as Meg in Family Guy. Since then she has appeared in many films, such as “Friends with Benefits” and “Bad Moms”. She reconciled with her 70s Show colleague, Ashton Kutcher, in her 30s and they are now happily married with children. Such a great story.
Mila Kunis
Sofia Vergara
Well-known nowadays for her role as Gloria on the popular “Modern Family”, Sofia Vergara began here career as a model in 1989. She was scouted while walking along a Colombian beach. A 17 year old pursuing a career in dentistry, she swiftly dropped out and set foot on the journey to becoming something big in the entertainment industry. We are certainly glad that her career took her to where she did, we love seeing her on our screens. As well as hosting and television, she has also had various roles on the big screen, roles in “Four Brothers” and “Hot Pursuit”. The Colombian actress may well have been a great model, but we feel she is better for the screen.
Sofia Vergara
Taylor Swift
Now a world famous country singer, Swift began her career in modelling! In 2003 she posed for an advert which may have even foreshadowed her future career as a singer-songwriter. Holding a guitar, she posed for an Abercrombie and Fitch advert. Having sold over 200 million records across the globe, Swift is up there with the best-selling musicians of all time. As far as acting goes, she has had minimal roles. Despite this, she has appeared in “Hannah Montana: The Movie”, “Valentines Day” and a documentary-film following her tour, “The 1989 World Tour Live”. We wouldn’t be surprised to see her in more acting roles in the future.
Taylor Swift
Penn Badgley
Pre-acting, Penn Badgley had similarly to Swift, posed for Abercrombie and Fitch. Since, he has gone on to have a fairly colourful acting career. He has appeared in such movies as “Easy A” alongside Emma Stone, “John Tucker Must Die” and “Greetings from Tim Buckley. Television is where he has found most fame however. Beginning with a sole credit in “Will & Grace”, he appeared as Dan Humphrey for 5 years in “Gossip Girl”. More recently, he gained great recognition for his portrayal of villain Joe Goldberg in Netflix’s “You”. The way he plays the role is fantastic and it is a must see.
Penn Badgley