The route to becoming a movie star is not straightforward. Many actors have shifted from entirely different vocations to take their position in front of a camera over the years. From stand-up comedians to singers who went on to become great actors, no two paths are the same, yet many may have commonalities. Modeling was a stepping stone for some into the spotlight. While it may appear to be a simple transition, transitioning from still photography to live-action scenes with language may be challenging. These former models, however, have all managed to expand their skills and abilities and become one among Hollywood’s preferred thespians
8. Diane Kruger
Diane Kruger, best renowned for her portrayal as Helen in Troy, was formerly a high fashion model in Germany after an accident caused her to resign from ballet. She began her acting career at the recommendation of screenwriter and producer Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, Lucy, and Nikita). Her first significant part, after playing the woman whose face launched a thousand ships, was as Abigail Chase in the 2004 adventure picture National Treasure. This resulted in a sequel and many additional personalities for her to portray, despite the fact that, according to People, some of her auditions were rather unpleasant. She even took on the role of Bridget von Hammersmark in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds. In one moment, she took method acting to a whole new level by allowing the director to strangle her until she lost consciousness in order to make the action appear more real.
7. Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum, who is from a little town in Alabama, has become a highly successful actor following a succession of roles that didn’t completely satisfy him. His modeling experience boosted his career in the entertainment world. His initial appearances in television advertisements were for Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, American Eagle, Pepsi, and others. He landed parts in films such as Coach Carter and Step Up despite having a background in both athletics and dance. He was even given the opportunity to play a more serious part in Nicholas Sparks’ film, Dear John. However, one of his most noteworthy appearances was in the 2012 film Magic Mike, which is currently in the process of being followed by a third film named Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Dog and The Lost City, in which he co-starred with Sandra Bullock, are two of his most recent films to be released in theaters.
6. Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson, well known for her long-running role on the classic 90s TV program Baywatch, is another model who successfully transitioned into acting. She began her career on family-friendly television series such as Home Improvement in British Columbia, Canada. She was a high school gymnast who later used her athletic abilities in feature films such as Barb Wire. Many of her roles, however, have been rooted in comedies such as Scary Movie 3, Stacked, and Blonde and Blonder. Although she has purposefully stepped away from the spotlight in recent years, the premiere of the Hulu series Pam & Tommy has reintroduced her to the public eye. There have been rumors about a documentary floating on social media channels, but nothing has been confirmed.
5. Halle Berry
Halle Berry was able to readily find employment as a model after receiving the title of First Runner-Up for the 1986 Miss USA Pageant as Miss Ohio. She began grabbing up roles in popular films during the 1990s, capturing the attention of casting directors. The Flintstones, Solomon & Sheba, and Losing Isaiah are just a few examples. She landed a recurring role as Storm in the original X-Men movie around the turn of the millennium. She subsequently won an Academy Award for her portrayal in Monster Ball, which led to additional memorable roles in films such as Catwoman, Gothika, and Cloud Atlas. Her most recent film, The Mothership, is now in post-production and will be released in 2022.
4. Eddie Redmayne
Despite studying theatre from an early age, Eddie Redmayne was first cast in front of a camera during his adolescent modeling years. His first prominent parts were in the 2012 film Les Misérables and the 2015 romance The Danish Girl. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his depiction of Lili and her journey as a trans woman. Most Harry Potter fans will remember him from the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them spin-off. This Potterverse film launched a new series, with Redmayne playing Newt Scamander in each installment. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the third episode, was just completed and will be released on April 15, 2022.
3. Milla Jovovich
Milla Jovovich, who became a professional model at the age of 12, has spent the most of her life in front of a camera lens. She has been on the covers of hundreds of worldwide magazines, including Vogue and Cosmopolitan, and was included in Revlon’s “Most Unforgettable Women in the World” campaign. Her success in the fashion industry is evident, having modeled for Dior, Versace, Calvin Klein, Armani, and many others. She had many television guest appearances before being cast in the classic film The Fifth Element. Later, she starred as Katinka in Zoolander, a 2001 comedy starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, and Will Ferrell. The Ukrainian-born actress’s most well-known role, however, is that of Alice in the Resident Evil trilogy. With six films, the Resident Evil series is now the most popular and profitable science fantasy horror trilogy in movie history.
2. Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron, who is originally from South Africa, began modeling when a knee injury prevented her from practicing ballet. She was found by an acting agency in line at a local bank after arriving in Los Angeles to seek a career as a print/commercial model. She caused a commotion when the teller refused to pay her out-of-state check, which turned out to be the finest thing that could have happened to her career. Mighty Joe Young, her first significant role, was in the 1995 picture. She won an Academy Award for her outstanding portrayal as Aileen in Monster a few years later. Her filmography also includes Prometheus, Mad Max: Fury Road, Snow White and the Huntsman, Atomic Blonde, and Old Guard. Right now Atomic Blond 2 and Old Guard 2 are presently in development.
1. Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne, who is from London, is another model who made the transition to acting with ease. She has appeared in advertisements for Burberry, Chanel, and Zara, as well as on the catwalk for Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Oscar de la Renta, and others. At the 2012 British Fashion Awards, she was named Model of the Year. Her debut cinematic role was as Princess Sorokina in Anna Karenina (2012). Most Suicide Squad fans will identify her as June Moone or the Enchantress. She has appeared in music videos for several artists, including Taylor Swift and Die Antwoord, and she was the star of a Jimmy Choo promotion in 2017.
