Feature: Top 10 Hottest Models Turned Successful Actress
Critical Movie Critic: sasori | Published on: September 6, 2007 |
Filed under: Top 10
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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About: sasori When I'm not sleeping, I'm doing something else that closely resembles sleep. |
markov posted a response on: September 6, 2007 | Reply
Wasn’t Charlize Theron a model before she became and actress?
Also you should know, Aishwarya Rai is much hotter than Vanessa Williams.
joel posted a response on: September 6, 2007 | Reply
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
Jennifer posted a response on: September 7, 2007 | Reply
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.
blogcabins posted a response on: September 7, 2007 | Reply
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).
sasori posted a response on: September 7, 2007 | Reply
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.
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.
Indeed, she was a good model. I’m not so sure about her acting ability though. Has she been in any movies?
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!
Norrad posted a response on: September 18, 2007 | Reply
Great list. Most of them can’t act for a damn though. Halle Berry excluded ofcourse.
Jay posted a response on: October 10, 2007 | Reply
What is it about Ugly Betty and X-Men? Half of your list is employed by one or both of them!
sandecki posted a response on: November 4, 2007 | Reply
Aishwarya Rai was a good choice
Sirius Lee posted a response on: November 19, 2007 | Reply
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.
Marten posted a response on: October 18, 2008 | Reply
Olga Kurylenko bitches!
Models posted a response on: January 4, 2010 | Reply
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.
Bollywood posted a response on: March 11, 2010 | Reply
Milla Jovovich is my fav from the above list.
My second choice is Aishwarya because of her great act in the movie devdas.
katrina kaif posted a response on: April 4, 2010 | Reply
Monica Bellucci is Hot.
Cameron Diaz is superb. I still remember her act in The Mash and Charlies Angels. Lovely Actress.