A number of entertainers (including many actors and actresses) have started their careers in modeling.
- Danneel Ackles started her career as a model for Juicy Jeans and Big Sexy Sky before she began acting.
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
- Malin Åkerman worked as a model since she was a child and was even signed with Ford Models at one point.
- Juliana Alves
- Mini Andén began modeling at the age of ten, joining Elite Model Management when she was fifteen.
- Pamela Anderson started as a print and commercial model and has famously appeared in Playboy.
- Vanessa Angel
- Viviane Araújo
- Carole Ashby
- Marie Avgeropoulos
- Barbara Bach was a highly-sought after model in the 1960s who belonged to the Eileen Ford Agency and who graced the covers of fashion magazines such as Seventeen, Vogue and Elle.
- Tyra Banks was a model before creating and hosting America's Next Top Model.
- Marina Ruy Barbosa
- Catherine Bell worked as a model in Japan prior to her acting career.
- Ashley Benson started her career as a child model.
- Monica Bellucci was a fashion model wearing furs and other high fashion.
- Daniel Bernhardt
- Esmé Bianco works as a glamour model in addition to her entertainment career.
- Leslie Bibb won a modeling competition by Elite Model Management in 1990. She has appeared on the cover of several magazines, such as CosmoGirl, 944, Seventeen, Gear, Paper, L'Officiel, Teen, FHM, Stuff, YM, Fit, and Maxim. She also appeared in commercials.
- Jane Birkin
- Susan Blakely modeled with the Ford Agency before becoming a professional actress.
- Christie Brinkley
- Kelly Brook started her career as a model when she was 16.
- Jamie Campbell Bower was a part-time model with Select Model Management back when he was starting out.
- Millie Bobby Brown
- Brooke Burns
- Jess Bush
- Naomi Campbell started out as a model, often appearing in shows by many of the top European designers of The '80s and The '90s.
- Gina Carano works as a fitness model in addition to (and especially after her retirement from) her Mixed Martial Arts career.
- Laetitia Casta became a "GUESS? Girl" in 1993 and gained further recognition as a Victoria's Secret Angel from 1998 to 2000 and as a spokesperson for cosmetics company L'Oréal. She has appeared on over 100 covers of such popular magazines as Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Rolling Stone, Elle, and Glamour, and has walked runways for designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Chanel, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Paco Rabanne, Kenzo, Louis Vuitton, Christian Lacroix, Roberto Cavalli, Jacquemus and Vivienne Westwood.
- Henry Cavill works as a print model in addition to his acting career.
- Lois Chiles
- Gwendoline Christie works as a model in addition to her acting career.
- Lana Clarkson
- Zena Clifton
- Lauren Cohan
- Taylor Cole started her career as a professional model while she was still in high school, doing photo shoots in Italy, France, Germany, and Australia among many other countries.
- Lily Collins has walked for Chanel at the 2007 Bal des débutantes at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris. She also appeared in Spain's Glamour magazine in 2008 as its International Model of the Year, and appeared on the magazine's cover in August 2009.
- Jennifer Connelly started as a child model, having appeared in several commercials and several covers of Seventeen magazine.
- Cindy Crawford started out as a model, often modeling furs in the eighties and for Blackglama Mink in the 2000s.
- Elisha Cuthbert worked as a foot model as a child.
- Yaya DaCosta was the runner-up of America's Next Top Model's third cycle and has since appeared in advertisements for Garnier Fructis, Lincoln Townhouse, Oil of Olay, Radioshack, Seda, Sephora and Dr. Scholl's. She has also graced the covers of numerous magazines, including W, Hype Hair, Splash, and Global Modeling. In 2014, she landed a spot in Tom Ford’s Fall/Winter advertising campaign.
- Candy Davis, the winner of Miss Nude America in 1982 and a Page Three Stunna.
- Charles Michael Davis has done print modeling and commercials for Nike and FootLocker prior to his acting career.
- Geena Davis was signed with Zoli Agency from 1979 to much of the early eighties.
- Rebecca Dayan worked as both a designer's assistant and a model before she became an actress.
- Brooklyn Decker is a famous fitness model who appeared in several Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues in the 2000s and has walked for The Gap, Intimissimi and Victoria's Secret.
- Cara Delevingne began modeling at age ten where she appeared in an editorial shot of Vogue Italia. Since then she modeled for several known brands and has walked in Fashion Weeks set in Paris, New York, London, and Milan as well as Victoria's Secret fashion shows.
- Lana Del Rey sidelines as a model and has walked for H&M, endorsed Jaguar F-Type, and has appeared in L'Officiel.
- Torrey DeVitto started her modeling career at the age of fifteen when she began appearing in commercials, which she described to be a stepping stone to getting to TV and film jobs.
- Cameron Diaz signed with Elite Model Management when she was sixteen and appeared in advertisements for Calvin Klein and Levi's. She was also featured on the cover of the July 1990 issue of Seventeen magazine and shot a Coca-Cola commercial in Sydney.
- Dilone began as a model at age 19 and has now started acting too, while continuing her modeling.
- Nyle DiMarco won the twenty-second season of America's Next Top Model, and then Dancing with the Stars shortly after, becoming the first deaf winner of both. He's also an actor, having appeared in Switched at Birth and Difficult People, and he regularly advocates for deaf awareness.
- Melissa Donovan did some modeling before her singing career.
- Jamie Dornan began as a model. He was signed with Select Model Management. He has modelled for Abercrombie & Fitch, Aquascutum, Hugo Boss, Armani, Dior Homme and Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabanna, Zara, Banana Republic, and Levi's Jeans.
- Karen Duffy, One of the 50 "Most Beautiful People" in 1993.
- Josh Duhamel won the 1997 Male Model of the Year in a competition held by the International Modeling and Talent Association. Ashton Kutcher was his runner-up.
- Kirsten Dunst began her career as a child fashion model in television commercials and was signed with Ford Models and Elite Model Management.
- Carmen Electra was a famous commercial and print model during The '90s.
- Terry Farrell worked with Elle Modelling Agency and immediately had an exclusive contract with Mademoiselle. She went on to appear on the covers of the American, Italian, and German editions of Vogue.
- Farrah Fawcett was a print and commercial model prior to her acting career.
- Julie Fernandez
- Travis Fimmel worked with Chadwick Models agency and headed overseas where he was eventually signed on the spot with agency LA Models in 2002. He then became the first male in the world to secure a six-figure deal to model exclusively for Calvin Klein for a year. He then fronted CK's Crave men's fragrance campaign and modeled the brand's famous underwear.
- Lynne Frederick
- Drew Fuller started out as a model before transitioning to acting.
- Gal Gadot has led international campaigns as a model for Miss Sixty, Huawei smartphones, Captain Morgan rum, Gucci fragrances and Vine Vera skincare ranges, and Jaguar Cars. In 2015, she became the face of Gucci's Bamboo perfume brand. She has been featured as the covergirl on Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Bride Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, UMM, Cleo, Fashion, Lucire, FHM, Maxim, and has been the main model for fashion brand Castro in 2008–16.
- Beau Garrett was signed by Vision Model Management and has worked for Guess, Revlon cosmetics, Double D Ranch, and CosmoGirl.
- Kaia Gerber
- Karen Gillan worked as a print and runway model prior to her acting career.
- Henry Golding worked as a model across Asia prior to becoming an actor.
- Eva Green
- Kat Graham began her career as a child model, appearing in commercials such as Barbie, Edison, K-Mart, and Pop-Tarts.
- Miki Hamano is a Japanese-born model who has modeled for various magazines and advertisements, most notably Playboy.
- Kit Harington sidelines as a print model and has been the face of Jimmy Choo's clothing line, 'Nissan Infiniti, and Dolce & Gabbana.
- Angie Harmon was a child model who had won a Seventeen contest as a teenager. In her twenties, she worked as a runway model for high-profile designers Donna Karan and Calvin Klein.
- Laura Harrier began as a model at 17 years old. She has modeled and was represented by such agencies as IMG Models and Wilhelmina Models, appearing in Vogue, Elle, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan and campaigns for Urban Outfitters, Macy's, and Steve Madden. She was the face of Garnier for a time, appearing in one of their national commercials, and is an ambassador for luxury brands Louis Vuitton and Bulgari.
- Colton Haynes began his career as a model at the age of fifteen in New York City, subsequently appearing in a photo shoot by Bruce Weber for Abercrombie & Fitch. Afterward, he began modeling in campaigns for Kira Plastinina, J. C. Penney, Ralph Lauren, Verizon and has also appeared in numerous magazine editorials such as Teen Vogue and Arena.
- Tippi Hedren began modeling at age 20 with the Eileen Ford Agency, appearing on magazine covers and in advertisements prior to her acting career.
- Katherine Heigl started her modeling career as a child model with Wilhelmina Models. She has established herself as a cover model, appearing in numerous publications including Maxim, Vanity Fair and Cosmopolitan.
- Virginia Hey
- Christina Hendricks worked as a model prior to her acting career.
- Natasha Henstridge started as a model at age fifteen and has appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan and modeled for Olay and Old Spice.
- Sylvia Hoeks was scouted by Elite Model Management at age 14 and traveled Europe as a model for several years.
- Boyd Holbrook started his model career with Elite Models in 2001.
- Willa Holland started out as a child model. She was signed with Ford Modeling Agency at age seven, and immediately booked a shoot for Burberry. She has modeled for Guess, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Ralph Lauren.
- Djimon Hounsou has modeled in Paris and was the face of Calvin Klein in 2007.
- Erica Hubbard
- Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is best known for her work for lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret, formerly being one of their brand "Angels".
- Elizabeth Hurley began her career as a spokesmodel for Estée Lauder before going to work with several high-end companies.
- Iman
- Kathy Ireland started out as a model, frequently appearing in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues in The '80s.
- Max Irons
- Penny Irving
- Theo James
- Famke Janssen got her start as a fashion model for Elite Model Management during the mid-80s to early 90s, having worked for Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Chanel, and Victoria's Secret.
- Nia Jax, real name Savelina Fanene, worked as a plus-size model prior to her Professional Wrestling career.
- Dakota Johnson has modeled for MANGO and has appeared in the cover of Teen Vogue.
- Grace Jones modeled for Yves Saint Laurent and Kenzo.
- Milla Jovovich started modeling at 12.
- Anna Karen, who ironically was famous for donning an unflattering wig and glasses to play the frumpy Olive Rudge in On the Buses.
- Stacy Keibler worked as a fitness model prior to her retirement from Professional Wrestling career.
- Kelly Kelly, real name Barbara Blank, worked as a fitness model prior to her Professional Wrestling career.
- Jaime King
- Karlie Kloss is well-known for her work with Victoria's Secret, being a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2011 to 2014.
- Karolína Kurková is a famous Czech supermodel, she's been in the business since she was fifteen when a friend sent a picture of her to a Prague modeling agency and has since graced the covers of notable fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Vanity Fair, and Esquire.
- Olga Kurylenko has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Elle, Madame Figaro and Marie Claire magazines. She also became the face of brands Bebe, Clarins, and Helena Rubinstein and has also modeled for Roberto Cavalli and Kenzo and appeared in Victoria's Secret catalog.
- Ashton Kutcher was signed with Next modeling agency in New York, has appeared in commercials for Calvin Klein, and modeled in Paris and Milan.
- Eugenia Kuzmina, Russian-American actress and model who has worked with Ford Models and IMG and LA Models.
- Jessica Lange worked as a part-time model under Wilhelmina Modelling Agency prior to her acting career.
- Taylor Lautner appeared in several ads and commercials prior to becoming an actor.
- George Lazenby was a model when he got the role of James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
- Kelly LeBrock began her career as a model when she was 16 and even played a few as an actress.
- Lee Jung-jae was a model prior to becoming an actor.
- Valerie Leon
- Sunny Leone
- Peyton List was a print model and has posed for Justice Magazine and the cover of American Girl.
- Caity Lotz is a fitness model in addition to her dancing and acting career. She has posed for Men's Health and Esquire.
- Carey Lowell was a favorite of Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren before starting her acting career.
- Dolph Lundgren had a short-lived modeling career for Zoli Agency in The '80s.
- Kellan Lutz was a commercial model during the early 2000s.
- Matilda Lutz
- Elle Macpherson is a five time Sports Illustrated covergirl and has appeared in magazines such as Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Tatler, GQ, Time, L'Officiel, Flare and New York. She has also walked for designers such as Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Azzedine Alaïa, Donna Karan, Christian Dior, Thierry Mugler, Nicole Miller, Michael Kors, Perry Ellis, Todd Oldham, Calvin Klein, John Galliano, and Valentino.
- Wendie Malick was a model for Wilhelmina before getting into acting.
- Gabriel Mann was a professional runway model prior to his acting career.
- Eva Marie, real name Natalie Coyle (née Nelson), worked as a fitness model prior to her "Professional Wrestling career".
- Bérénice Marlohe started off as a model.
- James Marsden was a Versace model prior to his acting career.
- Maryse Mizanin (née Ouellet) worked as a glamour model prior to her Professional Wrestling career.
- Grazi Massafera
- Kathleen McClellan has modeled for companies such as Hanes and Cherokee Jeans.
- Steven R. McQueen walked for Abercrombie & Fitch.
- Leighton Meester began working as a child model with Wilhelmina, booking a Ralph Lauren campaign shot, worked commercials for Tamagotchi and Clearasil, and modeled for Limited Too.
- Eva Mendes worked as a print model prior to her acting career.
- Ivana Miličević started working as a model during her school years.
- Shay Mitchell was a child model prior to her acting career.
- Mary Ann Mobley
- Jason Momoa began as a model and continues to appear in various print ads.
- Taylor Momsen became a model at age 15 and was the face of Madonna's "Material Girl" line.
- Cameron Monaghan began his career as a child model.
- Marilyn Monroe was a pinup model prior to her acting career.
- Mircea Monroe
- Shemar Moore
- Alinne Moraes
- Agatha Moreira
- Barbara Murray
- Diane Neal started modeling in 1994 for Shiseido and Pond’s skin-care ads until she left the business in 1999.
- Hari Nef
- Rachel Nichols: Worked on advertising campaigns for Abercrombie & Fitch, Guess, and L'Oréal.
- Brigitte Nielsen worked as a glamour model for most of The '80s.
- Connie Nielsen worked as a model in France and Italy prior to her acting career.
- Margaret Nolan
- Elsa Pataky
- Robert Pattinson began modeling at twelve years old. After years of retirement, he resumed his modeling work (in addition to his acting career) and became the face of Dior Homme fragrance in 2013, appearing in both the brand's fragrance and Menswear lines.
- Alexandra Paul, best known for Baywatch.
- Missy Peregrym began as a model and has appeared in various print ads and TV commercials, most notably for Mercedes-Benz, Sprint Canada, and the Olympic Games.
- Clémence Poésy
- Paulina Porizkova is a famous Czech-American model who appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, becoming the first Central European woman to do so.
- Victoria Pratt concurrently works as a fitness model, gracing several magazine covers including Muscle Mag and Oxygen.
- Jaime Pressly has appeared on the covers of Teen Magazine, Maxim, Allure, and Playboy. She was also an official spokesmodel for the International Cover Model Search as well as for Liz Claiborne Cosmetics and its fragrance Lucky You.
- Denise Quinones, was Miss Universe 2001.
- Summer Rae, real name Danielle Moinet, worked as a model prior to her Lingerie Football, then eventual Professional Wrestling career.
- Emily Ratajkowski started modeling at fourteen years old and was even signed by "Ford Models".
- Norman Reedus worked as a model and has worked for GAP, H & M, Morgenthal Frederics, and Prada.
- Alan Ritchson began his modeling career in the Abercrombie and Fitch catalog and modeled underwear for the men's online underwear store internationaljock.com. He also signed to Los Angeles agency Vision Model Management and appeared on N2N Bodywear. He retired in 2009.
- Rachel Roberts
- Rebecca Romijn graced several fashion magazines such as Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Allure, Glamour, GQ, Esquire, and Sports Illustrated and has walked for designers such as Giorgio Armani, Sonia Rykiel, and Anna Molinaril.
- Kelly Rohrbach, best known for Baywatch (2017).
- Isabella Rossellini has been in the cover of Vogue across Europe several times and has walked for Dolce & Gabbana and Anna Molinari.
- Debby Ryan walked for Abercrombie & Fitch.
- Rina Sawayama
- Melanie Scrofano began modeling when she was 13 and picked up acting when her agent began submitting her for acting jobs.
- Connie Sellecca worked as a model prior to her acting career.
- Greg Sestero began his career as a fashion model in 1995 by traveling to Paris and Milan to work with many brands including Armani and Ferre.
- Léa Seydoux has modelled for Levi's, Vogue Paris, American Vogue, Numéro, L'Officiel, CRASH, Another Magazine, W magazine, Didier Dubot, Rag & Bone's, Lui, Prada, and Louis Vuitton.
- Amanda Seyfried has appeared in the printed ads for clothing companies including Limited Too and was featured on three covers of the Sweet Valley High novel series.
- Irina Shayk has been a lingerie, fashion, and swimsuit model, working for everyone from Sports Illustrated to Vogue.
- Nicollette Sheridan was a model prior to her acting career.
- Brooke Shields started modeling at eleven months and was a very recognizable face by her late teens, covering Vogue at fourteen and appearing in an iconic Calvin Klein ad.
- Lili Simmons began her career as a Ford Model, modeling for Bebe Stores and Roxy and appearing in commercials and print ads for companies like J.C. Penney and Saturn.
- Jaclyn Smith was a print and commercial model prior to her acting career. She has since ventured into the fashion business.
- Cobie Smulders worked in modeling prior to her acting career.
- Ian Somerhalder was a child model prior to his acting career.
- Talisa Soto began as a model in her teens, gracing the covers of Vogue, Elle, Mademoiselle and Glamour.
- Rebecca Staab
- Yutte Stensgaard
- Sara Stockbridge
- Sharon Stone worked as a model (under Ford Modelling Agency) prior to her acting career.
- Trish Stratus, real name Patricia Strategeas, worked as a fitness model prior to her Professional Wrestling career.
- Alyssa Sutherland (Vikings) modeled for several high fashion brands, most prominently Vogue.
- Mena Suvari was a model prior to her acting career.
- Connor Swindells
- Joe Taslim is active both as a model and actor, appearing in magazines and TV commercials.
- Sharon Tate
- Channing Tatum has posed for Vogue magazine and has appeared in campaigns for Abercrombie & Fitch, Nautica, Dolce & Gabbana, American Eagle Outfitters, and Emporio Armani.
- Uma Thurman began her career as a model at age fifteen. Her early modeling credits included Glamour and the December 1985 and May 1986 covers of British Vogue.
- Lio Tipton was signed to I Model & Talent in Los Angeles and walked in Los Angeles Fashion Week Fall 2008 for designer Kelly Nishimoto for her Fall 2008 collection, Imasu prior to competing and placing third in the eleventh cycle of America's Next Top Model. Afterward, they signed with Ford Models in Los Angeles and Abrams Artists Agency, in both the commercial and theatrical divisions. They then appeared in Spain's Marie Claire, Seventeen magazine's December 2008-January 2009 edition, and several pages spread in Maxim and Vogue. They were also featured in ads for Forever 21 and Guess. They also modeled Geren Ford's pre-fall 2010 collection and walked for Skingraft and David Alexander for the S/S 2010 season.
- Nico Tortorella was an underwear model prior to their acting career.
- Twiggy
- Kate Upton is a model who appeared in fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle.
- Shantel VanSanten has been featured in Teen Vogue and Seventeen magazines.
- Sofía Vergara started her career as a model.
- Lavínia Vlasak
- Mark Wahlberg worked as a model for Calvin Klein and has appeared in Vanity Fair.
- Tom Welling modeled for Louisa Modeling Agency until 2000 when he relocated to Los Angeles. There he modeled for Tommy Hilfiger, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Calvin Klein while pursuing an acting career. Years after landing his Star-Making Role in Smallville, he appeared in the May 2008 issue of Vogue, the so-called Superhero Issue.
- Torrie Wilson worked as a fitness model prior to and after her Professional Wrestling career.
