21 Models Who Ruled the Runway and the Screen

From Catwalk to Cinematic Glory

You might not know, but some of the iconic actors actually began their careers as models and they dominated the fashion world before conquering Hollywood and global fame.

Like, Uma Thurman, who started modeling at the age of 15 for her striking looks and later focused on acting at 16, becoming a cinematic legend starring in Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.

Discover the fascinating stories of stars who changed their careers from runaway to blockbuster fame.

Devon Aoki

Known for her role in Fast and Furious 2, Aoki’s career started when she was just 13. Her unique look caught people’s attention, and she quickly became a model. Versace and Chanel offered her work, and she started appearing in major ads for the brands.

In the early 2000s, Aoki decided to pursue acting and won her first significant role as street racer Suki in the 2003 movie 2 Fast 2 Furious. Her role as Miho in Sin City (2005) highlighted her martial arts talent and action star potential, and she became even more well-known.

Sofia Vergara

With the hit role of Gloria on Modern Family (2009-2020), Sofia’s career started after a commercial for a soda blew up in the early 90s. This opened doors for Vergara to sign modeling contracts and appear in various advertisements and magazine spreads.

She later changed to acting as she landed roles in Spanish-language TV and films. She became extremely famous after playing Gloria, and she also did voice-overs for successful films like The Smurfs.

Gal Gadot

She entered the world of international modeling when she won the Miss Beauty Pageant in 2004 at the age of 18. After modeling, Gadot’s career gained popularity.

The first big role that took her career off when she got cast as Gisele Yashar in Fast & Furious (2009), where her military background helped her stand out in action scenes. The roles that reached heights were when she debuted as Wonder Woman in Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, and then she later got her own film, Wonder Woman.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Rosie started modeling and immediately rose to fame as Victoria’s Secret Angel, working with top brands like Burberry and Balmain.

After succeeding in the fashion industry, she started acting in 2011, starring as Carly Spencer in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. She did a few more roles in Mad Max: Fury Road and many more.

Mark Wahlberg

Mark did modeling in the early 1990s. After he became known as a rapper, he became the face of Calvin Klein, which showcased his physique and made him a popular sensation.

After doing many campaigns, he started acting, and Wahlberg’s breakout role came in Boogie Nights (1997). He also went on to star in hit films like The Departed, The Italian Job, and Transformers.

Rebecca Romijn

Rebecca’s portrayal of Mystique in the X-Men films became a fan favorite, and people loved her character. Romjin has modeled in the past and worked with top brands and magazines such as Sports Illustrated and Vogue.

She also found success on TV after she got into acting in the 1990s, and she was cast in Ugly Betty, The Librarians, and many more shows.

Suki Waterhouse

At 16, Suki gained attention for her natural look and started working with Burberry, Chanel, and Prada. She adjusted herself in the fashion world, but during the 2010s, she got an acting offer in Pusher (2012).

Succeeding with her debut, she also played acts in films like The Bad Batch (2016) and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016). With her beauty, she became a rising movie star.

Tyra Banks

Tyra began modeling at the age of 15 and was one of the first African-American models to promote products like Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated. She gained notoriety in the 1990s, covering the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as the first black woman.

She acted in roles in Higher Learning and Coyote. Furthermore, she hosted and produced shows that blew up.

Noah Mills

The Canadian model started his career in the mid-2000s and became a top model quickly because people were amazed by his looks. Mills made his acting debut and landed a regular role on 2 Broke Girls and many more series.

While he wasn’t a lead actor at first, his TV and film roles helped him gain recognition. Mills continues to balance modeling and acting, steadily building a career in Hollywood, though he’s still on the rise as a movie star.

Meghan Markle

Before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan had a modeling and acting career, and after getting engaged to Prince Harry, she had to step away from her previous career.

However, Meghan began her career in the entertainment industry after campaigning for modeling gigs. She also switched to acting and landed guest roles on TV series before gaining recognition for her famous role as Rachel Zane on the hit legal drama Suits.

Josh Holloway

Josh Holloway started as a model in the 1990s before switching to acting. After a few guest roles on TV, he became very well known in 2004 when he was cast as Sawyer on the popular show Lost.

After Lost, Holloway moved to film with roles in Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Sabotage, and Paranoia. Although his rise to movie stardom was steady, he showed his range by taking on roles in both TV and film, like Colony.

Travis Fimmel

Travis Fimmel is an Australian-born model known for becoming the first male model to sign a Calvin Klein contract in the 2000s. He became an actor with the landmark achievement of playing Ragnar Lothbrok in the blockbuster series Vikings.

Emerging out of the show’s success, he portrayed a leading character in the film Warcraft, released in 2016. He is well known as an action and drama actor, appearing in numerous films and TV series.

Monica Bellucci

Bellucci started modeling young and became internationally famous with campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel. Later, she went on to act and made her first appearance on The Apartment.

After reaching international fame in Malèna, she appeared in Hollywood films, including The Matrix Reloaded and The Passion of the Christ.

Boris Kodjoe

Boris Kodjoe’s journey from a college student to a Hollywood star was by being found in the industry by chance rather than by design. His fit physique and good looks initially paved the way for a modeling career before he made the transition into acting.

He gained fame in 2000 when he landed a role in Soul Food and later appeared in movies like Brown Sugar and Love & Basketball. Furthermore, he received a lot of praise for his roles in action films such, as Resident Evil; Afterlife.

Cara Delevingne

Cara was discovered by Storm Model Management at just 16. Before long, she was walking for Burberry, Chanel, and virtually every major brand in the industry.

But modeling was just the beginning. From 2012 to 2013, she made her big-screen debut in Anna Karenina, and she voicing for GTA V’s Nonstop Pop FM.

By 2015, she won over audiences in Paper Towns. She went on to play Enchantress in Suicide Squad and appeared in Tulip Fever and Valerian. Now, she’s an icon in both fashion and film.

Cameron Diaz

The Princess Fiona in the Shrek series we all know was voiced by none other than Cameron Diaz herself, better known for her appearance in hits like My Best Friend’s Wedding and There’s Something About Mary, started modeling at 16, working with top brands like Levi’s and Calvin Klein.

At 21, she transitioned to acting and shot to stardom with her role as Tina Carlyle in The Mask alongside Jim Carrey. She then went on to dominate action films like Charlie’s Angels, and Diaz became one of the highest-paid actresses of her time.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron began her career as a model after winning a modeling competition at 16, which led her to move to Italy. At 19, she moved to the U.S. to pursue an acting career.

After struggling at first, her big break came in The Devil’s Advocate, followed by Mighty Joe Young. Theron’s career took off when she starred in Hancock, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Atomic Blonde. Today, Theron is one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses and producers, admired for her talent and range.

Ashton Kutcher

Gaining fame as Michael Kelso on That ’70s Show, Ashton Kutcher began his career as a model after being discovered while studying at the University of Iowa. He moved to New York City, working with top brands like Calvin Klein before transitioning to acting.

Kutcher made a successful leap to film with comedies like Dude, Where’s My Car? and The Butterfly Effect. He later became a producer and entrepreneur, also investing in tech startups. Kutcher also starred in films like No Strings Attached and Jobs.

Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum, started his career as a model at 18, working with brands like Abercrombie & Fitch and Pepsi. Driven by a passion for acting, he transitioned to Hollywood with his breakout role in Step Up, followed by successful roles in Coach Carter and 21 Jump Street.

Tatum rose to major fame for his role in 22 Jump Street as Jenko. He became a leading man in both action films and comedies, while also exploring producing and directing, marking him as a Hollywood superstar.

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Jamie Dornan

Appearing and gaining attention in Justin Timberlake’s music video for “Cry Me a River,” Jamie Dornan started his career as a model, becoming well-known for his work with brands like Armani and Calvin Klein.

He became a global star after being cast as Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey, which led to two more movies. Dornan continued to build his acting resume with roles in The Siege of Jadotville, A Private War, and Belfast.

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