24 Models Who Became Actors
When you think about it, aren’t all models really actors? They’re essentially playing a part every time they’re in front of the camera, whether that’s as Abercrombie beach hunks or countesses in a Vienna mansion.
However, some of the most famous models around have made the leap into actual acting, appearing on TV and on the silver screen as a variety of characters. They may make small cameos or carry the weight of an entire film on their shoulders, and some have found that acting suits their style more than posing. Inspired by our girl Cara Delevingne’s recent starring role in Suicide Squad, we compiled a guide to 24 models who bid the catwalk adieu for Hollywood — whether temporarily or forever.
FilmMagic1/25Emily Ratajkowski
Emily became a household name after a certain music video, and she channeled that instant notoriety into roles in the adaptation of *Gone Girl * and Zac Efron’s *We are Your Friends. * She also played herself in the *Entourage * movie.
WireImage2/25Tyson Beckford
We first saw Tyson Beckford on the movie screen as himself in *Zoolander, * that cult classic sendup of the fashion industry. Since then, he’s had small roles in both TV and movies, including Jessica Alba/Paul Walker beach movie *Into the Blue. * (Bonus: He was in Britney Spears’ classic “Toxic” music video.)
FilmMagic3/25Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams got her start as a pageant contestant; she won the crown as Miss America in 1983 and was the first black woman to do so. Acting and singing proved to be her true calling, however. She recorded the pop version of Pocahontas's “Colors of the Wind,” and went on to boss models around as fashion magazine editor Wilhelmina on Ugly Betty.
Getty Images4/25Gemma Ward
Angelic model (and *Vogue * fave) Gemma Ward grabbed a small role in one of the *Pirates of the Caribbean * films, but we loved her in the horror movie *The Strangers * best. Obviously her character was called “Dollface.”
WireImage5/25Shalom Harlow
Shalom Harlow appeared onscreen several times during the mid-aughts, with roles in *Head Over Heels, * *Vanilla Sky * and our favorite cable rom-com, *How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. * She should’ve won an Oscar for that one, honestly.
WireImage6/25Cameron Diaz
Yes, it’s true — Cameron Diaz was a fresh-faced teen model before she found Hollywood stardom!
WireImage7/25Kate Upton
Speaking of Cameron Diaz, her co-star in *The Other Woman * was none other than blonde bombshell model Kate Upton. Kate hasn’t done a ton of acting yet, but we wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing her cast in more roles.
WireImage8/25Ruby Rose
Ruby Rose’s rise to fame began in her native Australia, where she appeared as a model in Vogue Australia. She's since made the switch to acting, with roles in Orange is the New Black and the upcoming Resident Evil, xXx, and John Wick action movies.
NBC via Getty Images9/25Elle Macpherson
Elle played Joey's roommate — and his eventual girlfriend — on a handful of *Friends * episodes. Talk about a #TBT.
FilmMagic10/25Lily Cole
Another *Vogue * favorite, Lily uses her otherworldly, delicate looks to great effect in movies. She’s appeared in *Snow White and the Huntsman * and as herself in the *Absolutely Fabulous * movie.
WireImage11/25Iman
Somali supermodel Iman has had small roles in a variety of TV shows and movies, from ‘80s classics like The Cosby Show and Miami Vice to Star Trek. But her most iconic role may have been playing the queen in Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” music video, which was basically a movie on its own.
FilmMagic12/25Gisele Bündchen
Consensus was that Gisele should stick to modeling after her role in Jimmy Fallon and Queen Latifah’s *Taxi. * She had a brief cameo in *The Devil Wears Prada, * too, which seemed to fare a little better.
FilmMagic13/25Riley Keough
Elvis’s granddaughter started out modeling, but she’s become a successful actress in the past few years. You’ve seen her in *The Runaways * and *Mad Max, * and she played Nora in everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure, *Magic Mike. *
WireImage14/25Channing Tatum
Riley’s *Magic Mike * co-star, Channing Tatum, got his start as a model. Um, duh —have you *seen * him?!
ABC via Getty Images15/25Tyra Banks
How could we forget Tyra Banks, she who gave us the iconic Disney Channel Original *Life-Size * co-starring Lindsay Lohan? Tyra also had a small, but pivotal role in *Coyote Ugly. * Oh, and her role as diva actress Ursula on *Gossip Girl * was pretty much amazing.
FilmMagic16/25Ashton Kutcher
Did you know that Ashton Kutcher was a model before he got his big break as Kelso in *That ‘70s Show? * Well, he totally was; he even walked the runway in Milan and Paris. Josh Duhamel and Ashton competed against one another to be crowned “Male Model of the Year” back in 1997, but Duhamel snagged the title. Ashton seems to be doing just fine today, though.
GC Images17/25Milla Jovovich
Milla Jovovich has one of the most successful acting careers, what with the insanely popular *Resident Evil * franchise. Of course, we like her best as Katinka in *Zoolander. *
Getty Images for Baby2Baby18/25Devon Aoki
As a teenager, Devon caught the eye of Kate Moss, whose guidance and interest helped her get signed as a model. During her modeling career, Devon walked the runway for countless designers and was the face of Versace, as well as tons of other brands. She began to appear in music videos from Ludacris and Elton John, then channeled that into an acting career. You’ve probably seen Devon in *2 Fast 2 Furious * or Sin City, or perhaps as herself in Fergie’s latest video.
FilmMagic19/25Tyrese Gibson
What would the *Fast and the Furious * franchise be without Tyrese? We can’t wrap our brains around it. Tyrese has also starred in *Transformers, * proving that he has a serious need for speed.
WireImage20/25Jaime King
Noted Taylor Swift bestie Jaime King was known as James back in her modeling days. We loved her as prissy Lemon in *Hart of Dixie, * but did you know she also appeared on *The O.C. * back in 2005? She also played a WWII nurse in the blockbuster *Pearl Harbor * back in 2001.
WireImage21/25Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Victoria’s Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley scored roles in *Transformers: Dark of the Moon * and in the incredibly popular *Mad Max * reboot, *Fury Road. *
Getty Images for Revlon22/25Halle Berry
Halle Berry began her career as a pageant girl and model; did you know she was the first black American Miss World contestant? Of course, her switch to acting more than paid off. Oscar, we're looking at you.
WireImage23/25Cindy Crawford
Supermodel Cindy Crawford hosted MTV’s *House of Style, * and continued to do most of her acting work on TV. She appeared on a few sitcoms in the ‘90s, but did you remember her role as Bibi on *Wizards of Waverly Place? * We’d forgotten that one, too!
Getty Images24/25Cara Delevingne
It Girl Cara seems to be focusing more on her movie career these days; she stars as Enchantress in *Suicide Squad * and delighted us as Margo in *Paper Towns. * According to IMDB, she’s completed a few new projects, so we won’t have to wait too long to see that famous face at the multiplex again.
