Hollywood Actresses Who Started Out as Models

Believe it or not, the modeling-to-acting pipeline isn’t as unusual as you may think. Some of your favorite actors started out life as models (and many more have tried to parlay runwau success to on-screen success!). Whether they really wanted to be actors and just started doing modeling as a means to an end, or they started life as a model but were scouted for a film role, or something in between, there are a ton of highly paid actresses who used to appear on runways and in the pages of our favorite magazines. From some of our most beloved actresses like Julia Roberts and Charlize Theron, to ’80s icons like Brooke Shields, to Oscar winners like Halle Berry, you’ll be surprised by how many actresses you didn’t realize were models in a past life.

Emily Ratajkowski

Remember Emily Ratajkowski’s bit part in Gone Girl (and before that, a teeny tiny role in iCarly!)? Let’s not forget her modeling work that includes walking at New York Fashion Week, starring on international magazines covers, and appearing as a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

While you might not be as familiar with Huntington-Whiteley’s on-screen work, including smaller parts in Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Mad Max: Fury Road, you’re probably more familiar with her modeling career, including as a Victoria’s Secret Angel and Harper’s Bazaar Model of the Year.

Jaime King

Jaime King was discovered at 14 and had a successful modeling career, including in Magazines, on the Chanel runway, and for a Revlon campaign. She successfully transitioned to film and TV, including Pearl Harbor, Sin City, and Hart of Dixie (and continued modeling for part of that time).

Cara Delevingne

Two-time Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, Cara Delevingne was scouted at 10(!); Her breakthrough was walking the Burberry catwalk in 2011. TV- and film-wise, you might know her from Suicide Squad (2016), Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, and Only Murders in the Building.

Halle Berry

The former pageant queen (and first runner-up in Miss USA 1986) began establishing herself as an actress in the 1990s and became a household name in the 2000s. She continued to work as a model throughout her career, including for Revlon.