Feature: Top 10 Hottest Models Turned Successful Actress


While watching Fair Game, I noticed how poor of an actress Cindy Crawford was. She looked fantastic, but couldn’t act her way out of a wet paper bag. This set my analytical mind into motion and I immediately set upon creating a list of beautiful models who became successful actresses. Undoubtedly, this will lead to a list of the worst models turned actresses in the near future.

Criteria: Must have made a comfortable living from modeling or pageants; can’t be older than 50; must be a successful actress today regardless of other side projects.

10 Cameron Diaz Cameron Diaz

Modeling Career: Started as a fashion model in 1990 at the age of 17, working in print ads for designers such as Calvin Klein and Levi’s.

Acting Career: In 1994, she starred in her first movie The Mask. Has since been in hits like There’s Something About Mary, Charlie’s Angels and the Shrek series.

9 Estella Warren Estella Warren

Modeling Career: Started modeling in 1996 at the age of 18. Has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle and in the pages of the lingerie Bible — Victoria’s Secret.

Acting Career: In 1998 broke through in the movie Driven and has since starred in movies like Planet of the Apes and the upcoming See You in September.

8 Aishwarya Rai Aishwarya Rai

Modeling Career: Began modeling in 9th grade. She was the 1994 Miss World winner. Continued to work for years as one of India’s top models.

Acting Career: Has starred in over 30 Bollywood films (too many to list) and in the past few years has managed to break into English projects like 2007’s The Last Legion.

7 Vanessa Williams Vanessa Williams

Modeling Career: 1983 Miss New York. In 1984 became the first black Miss America. Her reign was cut short, however, when lesbianesque nude photos were published by Penthouse magazine.

Acting Career: Her first real acting role was in 1986 and she has since appeared in numerous movies and TV shows. She is currently a cast member of the television show Ugly Betty.

6 Famke Janssen Famke Janssen

Modeling Career: Began modeling in 1984 when she moved to the United States. Within weeks, she was doing work for Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel.

Acting Career: Got into acting in 1992 and hasn’t looked back. She’s since starred in many television and movie roles, such as X-Men movie series and television show Nip/Tuck.

5 Bridgete Moynahan Bridgete Moynahan

Modeling Career: Began modeling at the young age of 16. Appeared on the covers of magazines like including Elle, Vogue, Self, Fitness and Glamour.

Acting Career: Has had a relatively short acting career but has already been in hits like The Recruit, I, Robot, and Gray Matters.

4 Rebecca Romijn Rebecca Romijn

Modeling Career: Began modeling in 1995 and immediately became a runway smash. She has been on numerous fashion magazine covers including the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Acting Career: Probably best known for her role as Mystique in the X-Men movies. She is currently cast on the television show Ugly Betty.

3 Milla Jovovich Milla Jovovich

Modeling Career: Began modeling at the very young age of 11 and depending on what list you read, is considered a true “supermodel”. She has appeared on hundreds of runways and in hundreds of magazines and advertisements since.

Acting Career: She got her big break in the film The Fifth Element and has since taken on the role of a kick-ass action hero in movies like the Resident Evil series and Ultraviolet.

2 Monica Bellucci Monica Bellucci

Modeling Career: Moved to Milan and began modeling at age 16. She became a highly sought after fashion model appearing on runways and ads for, among others, Dolce & Gabbana.

Acting Career: Known best for her role as Persephone in The Matrix series she has also starred in The Passion of the Christ and the upcoming movie Shoot ‘Em Up.

1 Halle Berry Halle Berry

Modeling Career: 1985, Miss Teen All-American. 1986, Miss Ohio. 1986, runner-up for Miss USA. Modeled for several years afterward appearing in print and television ads.

Acting Career: Halle has appeared in many movies, most notably the movie series X-Men and Catwoman (although not for her acting). In 2002 she won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in the film Monster’s Ball.

Honorable mention: Andie MacDowell and Uma Thurman.

Before screaming about the girls skipped, realize the object of this list was to showcase women who were successful at modeling AND acting. After realizing that, then you can blast me with all the women I’ve left out, because I’m sure I’ve missed quite a few.


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'Feature: Top 10 Hottest Models Turned Successful Actress' have 14 comments

  1. The Critical Movie Critics

    September 6, 2007 @ 12:18 pm markov

    Wasn’t Charlize Theron a model before she became and actress?
    Also you should know, Aishwarya Rai is much hotter than Vanessa Williams.

  2. The Critical Movie Critics

    September 6, 2007 @ 7:38 pm joel

    good list. i’d rank them differently though.

    10. vanessa
    9. estella
    8. cameron
    7. aishwarya
    6. famke
    5. rebecca
    4. monica
    3. bridgete
    2. halle
    1. milla

  3. The Critical Movie Critics

    September 7, 2007 @ 1:17 pm Jennifer

    You missed a few:

    Angelina Jolie. She was modeling at age 14. Obviously she is a great actress now.

    Molly Sims. She’s been in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue many times. She currently stars in the TV show Las Vegas.

  4. The Critical Movie Critics

    September 7, 2007 @ 6:39 pm blogcabins

    I, Robot and The Recruit were hits? Who knew?

    Good list. Some have fashioned good-great careers, however most of them weren’t famous as being models first (Famke, Cameron, Charlize). Those that were (Angie Everhart, Cindy, Estella) have a much harder time (or are just crappier actresses – hard to tell).

  5. The Critical Movie Critics

    September 7, 2007 @ 9:13 pm sasori

    Wasn’t Charlize Theron a model before she became and actress?

    I believe she may have modeled for a year or so, but I don’t think she made much of a living off of it.

    Angelina Jolie. She was modeling at age 14. Obviously she is a great actress now.

    Again, I don’t think she was particularly successful at her modeling career. Plus, from a personal standpoint, I think she looks like a skeleton with big lips.

    Molly Sims. She’s been in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue many times. She currently stars in the TV show Las Vegas.

    Indeed, she was a good model. I’m not so sure about her acting ability though. Has she been in any movies?

    I, Robot and The Recruit were hits?

    I, Robot grossed approximately $350,000,000 worldwide. I’d say it did very well for itself, considering the movie was rather crappy. The Recruit wasn’t really a hit so much as it was a good movie. I just threw it in there for good measure.

    This list was rather difficult to generate. Most hot, famous models can’t act worth a damn. The obscure ones tended to be better actresses. It was a fine line I was traversing. The Top 10 Worst Hottest Models Turned Actress will undoubtedly be an easier list to compile!

  6. The Critical Movie Critics

    September 18, 2007 @ 9:09 pm Norrad

    Great list. Most of them can’t act for a damn though. Halle Berry excluded ofcourse.

  7. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 10, 2007 @ 1:54 pm Jay

    What is it about Ugly Betty and X-Men? Half of your list is employed by one or both of them!

  8. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 4, 2007 @ 12:34 pm sandecki

    Aishwarya Rai was a good choice :D

  9. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 19, 2007 @ 1:07 am Sirius Lee

    Rachel Nichols should be breaking into this list very soon. She used to model for Guess? and Abercrombie & Fitch and she’s had very solid performances in The Inside, Alias and P2. Look for her to become more of a household name with her appearance in the new Star Trek movie.

  10. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 18, 2008 @ 2:01 pm Marten

    Olga Kurylenko bitches!

  11. The Critical Movie Critics

    January 4, 2010 @ 2:05 am Models

    Monica Bellucci is my favorite among the women pointed out above. I think the quality of a movie is enhanced aesthetically when a beautiful model is included.

  12. The Critical Movie Critics

    March 11, 2010 @ 4:29 am Bollywood

    Milla Jovovich is my fav from the above list.
    My second choice is Aishwarya because of her great act in the movie devdas.

  13. The Critical Movie Critics

    April 4, 2010 @ 12:02 pm katrina kaif

    Monica Bellucci is Hot.

    Cameron Diaz is superb. I still remember her act in The Mash and Charlies Angels. Lovely Actress.

  14. The Critical Movie Critics

    February 3, 2015 @ 3:26 am Blackshear

    There is many who started out as models before finding a fame as actors. It’s no surprise for us that they were turned actors because as we know it one thing to venture for fame are the looks and the body and if you got it welcome to Hollywood. It’s not necessary if you don’t have the acting skills it can be developed through acting classes.

    This is a great list. Thanks for this anyways.

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