The Top 10 Best Models Turned Actresses
5. Jennifer Connelly
Notable Works: Labyrinth, Requiem for a Dream, and A Beautiful Mind
When I started this list of models turned actresses, I had a good idea of who might earn a spot. Still, like with all my top 10 lists, I did my due diligence when it came to research and a few names that popped up surprised me. For example, I had no idea that Jennifer Connelly was a child model. Even more surprising was that as a teen, Connelly initially had no interest in acting. Luckily, she got over that and snagged her first big-screen role in Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in America. Since then, she’s starred in some serious cult classics such as Labyrinth and Dark City, as well as earning numerous awards for her performances, including an Academy Award for A Beautiful Mind. She’s even lent her voice to the MCU as Spider-Man’s friendly suit lady/AI, Karen. Connelly has had an astounding career over the years, making her one of the most successful models turned actresses of all time.
4. Halle Berry
Notable Works: X-Men, John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum, and Monster’s Ball
Halle Berry has a lot in common with one of the other models turned actresses on this list, Famke Janssen. Like Janssen, she played a Bond Girl during Pierce Brosnan’s tenure as the secret agent, and she appeared as the mutant Storm in X-Men (along with Rebecca Romijn). Before she became one of the most beautiful leading ladies in Hollywood, she was actually a model for a while when she first moved to New York. Before that, Berry entered and won a number of beauty pageants, and even became the first African-American contestant to enter Miss World in 1986. Of course, anyone with a pair of eyes knows that Halle Berry is jaw-dropping, to say the least. However, she’s also hella talented as an actress. She’s the only woman of color to win the Academy Award for Best Actress (hopefully that will change soon), and has proven age is just a number as she continues to kick-ass and break hearts on the big screen even in her 50s.
3. Milla Jovovich
Notable Works: The Fifth Element, Resident Evil, and Zoolander
More often than not, most action roles go to the men while women get to play damsels in distress. There have been exceptions, and times are slowly changing, and that’s in no small part due to Milla Jovovich. She’s shattered the cliche and become one of the biggest female action stars of all time. The athleticism and physicality she tackles her roles with makes her an unquestionable big-screen badass. Before she was kicking the crap out of zombies, vampires, demons, and mere men, she was a model. Her career started at the age of 12 and quickly earned her a few film roles as well. Rather than kicking still pictures to the curb in favor of moving ones, she continues working as a model and, according to Forbes, was the highest-paid model in the world in 2004. A dangerous combination of beauty and badassery, Jovovich continues to light up the screen with her waif-fu.
2. Charlize Theron
Notable Works: Mad Max: Fury Road, Monster, and Atomic Blonde
Milla Jovovich has been a big screen bad-ass for a while now, but she’s in danger of having her title usurped by Charlize Theron. At 16, Theron earned a one-year modeling contract that took her around Europe. She decided modeling just wasn’t for her after that, and she moved to America to pursue a career as an actor. Since then, she snatched up an Academy Award for “uglifying” herself for the role of notorious serial killer Aileen Wuornos (the Academy loves it when pretty people get ugly for roles). Now, a lot of Hollywood execs seem to think the average starlets’ shelf life is 30, maybe 35 tops. Theron though has been aging like a fine wine and at 40 she joined the new breed of action superstars with her performance as Furiosa in Fury Road. Since then she’s thrown down on the big screen as a super spy in Atomic Blonde, an immortal mercenary in The Old Guard, and a cyber-terrorist in Fast & Furious, making Theron a fan favorite around these parts.
1. Marilyn Monroe
Notable Works: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch, and Some Like It Hot
When it comes to models turned actresses, the most iconic in film history has to be Marilyn Monroe. The woman was a modern day Helen of Troy who was universally beloved as a big screen sex symbol, bankable romantic lead, and a wonderfully witty woman. Things started off a bit rocky for Monroe, and it looked like her career might be over before it even began. A career in modeling wasn’t showing much promise, but as fate would have it, she posed for a series of tasteful nude photos in 1949, and that’s when everything started to change for her. Monroe began getting offers for roles and soon she was a rising starlet. Her career shifted into overdrive when Hugh Hefner published her as the first playboy centerfold in 1953 (something she wasn’t exactly happy about). Monroe is still a figure that Hollywood looks back on with admiration, and she’s still held warmly in the embrace of modern pop culture. Her legacy makes her the clear choice for the number one spot on this list of models turned actresses.
Honorable Mention: Kim Basinger
Notable Works: Batman, LA Confidential, and Cool World
Alas, there are dozens and dozens of former models turned actresses, but only 10 slots available. Still, I want to give an honorable mention to Kim Bassinger. She started off as a model in New York city after going to college for acting, but hated the lifestyle that came with being professionally good looking. The overwhelming focus on the superficial caused her to drop out of that industry and pursue her dreams of acting. The exposure helped open a few doors for her and her talents took over from there. Mostly known for playing romantic leads, she’s graduated to playing more distinguished roles recently. Basinger has had quite the career, earning her at least a bit of recognition on this list.
Shout-Out: Diane Kruger
Notable Works: Inglorious Basterds, Troy, and National Treasure
The actresses above better watch out, because Diane Kruger is quickly looking like she might be snatching up one of the top 10 spots in the future. She worked for major clients like Armani, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton, after representing Germany in Elite Model Look. After 7 years in the industry, Kruger started taking on minor film roles and eventually went on to portray the most beautiful woman in history, Helen of Troy, in Troy. Since then, she’s been in a number of great films, making her a former model to keep an eye on.
There are many more models turned actresses out there, but I think the 10 above are a cut above the rest. However, I’d love to hear some of your favorites in the comments below. As always, I’ll be updating this list as more models kick down the doors in Hollywood and earn roles on the big screen. So, be sure to check back in the future to see how the rankings change.