Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

10 Models Turned Movie Stars

Features
By Total Film published 13 August 2009

Milla Jovovich's made it. Anyone else?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Diane Kruger

Diane Kruger

The Model

A successful model in Germany and France – with particularly brilliant shoots for French Elle - Diane Heidkruger (as she was known then) didn’t exactly light up the international modelling scene…

The Actress

But she looks set for far greater success in the acting world. She’s shortened her name and appeared in a Tarantino movie. That ought to do it.

Could She Fight Zombies?


She’s fought Nazis, surely zombies can’t be too far away…

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Lily Cole

Lily Cole

The Model

Spotted eating a burger by a model scout (who wasn’t distracted by the sight of someone taking part in that strange human ritual known as ‘eating’) Cole was shoved into the pages of Vogue and instantly adopted by hip style mags as their icon.

The Actress

She’s just started out, but she was one of the best things in The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus, easily holding her own against Heath Ledger’s final performance.

Could She Fight Zombies?


She’s starring in Marilyn Manson’s directorial debut, so she’s certainly used to hanging out with them.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Cindy Crawford

Cindy Crawford

The Model

Spotted at 17 by Elite model management, Cindy Crawford has took her iconic lip mole and (probably more relevant) bikini body and became one of the most popular models of the ‘80s and ‘90s

The Actress

Sadly, her face blemish didn’t translate to screen success – with a squint and you’ll miss it credit sequence appearance in The Secret Of My Success and embarrassing star vehicle Fair Game, which saw her lose her kit and acting credibility.

Could She Fight Zombies?


Sadly, she’s more likely to be confused with one.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks

The Model

Probably the first name that pops into most Americans’ minds when you mention top models, mainly because she hosts the unending reality show America’s Next Top Model.

Banks was the first African American woman on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

The Actress

One glance at Tyra’s cinema CV, and you can see why she turned to TV. When Coyote Ugly is the best thing on there, it’s time to give up the day job and head for daytime telly.

Could She Fight Zombies?


Her telly show sees models vanish like ghosts at the end of every episode. Maybe in the next season they’ll get shot in the head.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Claudia Schiffer

Claudia Schiffer

The Model

Shoved straight onto the cover of French Elle following a trial photoshoot in Paris, Claudia has had the sort of modelling career that little girls dream of. And the acting career they lose sleep over.

The Actress

Claudia’s career started out honestly at least; she was ‘Aerobics Instructor’ in Richie Rich. She’s rubbish, but she was in Zoolander, so we think she deserves an honorary Oscar.

Could She Fight Zombies?

She was in Zoolander, she can do whatever she wants.

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Maggie Q

Maggie Q

The Model

Born in Honolulu, Maggie modelled mainly in Hong Kong and Japan during her brief career, where she was spotted by movie producers and shoved into ace martial arts movies.

The Actress

After a disastrous debut in the aptly titled Model From Hell, Maggie established herself as a massively popular Hong Kong action star, before heading to Hollywood to face off against Bruce Willis in Die Hard 4.

Could She Fight Zombies?

Bruce was practically the undead in Die Hard 4, we’re sure she’d be fine.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Estella Warren

Estella Warren

The Model

She’s appeared in Sports Illustrated, Vanity Fair and Vogue.

But you’ll probably know her best from her Chanel No. 5 adverts, in which she appeared as Little Red Riding Hood walking into a massive bank vault full of perfume so she could shush a wolf. Or something.

The Actress

Estella had a busy 2001, starring in four movies – including the disastrous Planet Of The Apes remake, the dull Driven and the okay Perfume. She did a few more forgettable films – Tangled, anyone? – before jumping into the tellybox.

Could She Fight Zombies?

After seeing her scrap with apes, we don’t really want to find out.

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Elle MacPherson

Elle MacPherson

The Model

Nicknamed ‘The Body’ Elle appeared in every issue of Elle magazine for a record six straight years. Probably because of the brand synergy; they do have similar names.

Either that or it’s got something to do with the fact she married the creative director of the magazine during that period. They divorced four years later.

The Actress


Despite a cameo in Batman & Robin, MacPherson has a CV to be proud of (you know, comparatively) she’s charming in Sirens, she’s got a Woody Allen flick under her belt, and if they ever make a Friends movie, she’s a shoe-in for a cameo.

Could She Fight Zombies?

She’s Australian, they can fight anyone.

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Kim Basinger

Kim Basinger

The Model

Kim appeared in hundreds of ads during her stint as a New York fashion model. In between jobs, she took acting classes in Greenwich village, which might explain why she had a bit more movie longevity than most of her fellow fashion thesps.

The Actress

After a few TV appearances and a couple of low key film roles, Kim got her breakout as a Bond girl in Never Say Never Again.

Following a nude shoot to promote the film, she landed a role opposite Robert Redford in The Natural, before her iconic turn in the erotic thriller Nine And Half Weeks, which saw her boff Mickey Rourke, took her to mega-star status. She was also ace in LA Confidential, and Batman.

Could She Fight Zombies?

She’s survived the Joker, and Batman’s her mate. Those zombies had better watch out.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz

The Model

Cameron worked as a model from the ages of 17 to 21, for designers like Calvin Klein and Levi's. But you probably know the name from somewhere else.

The Actress

Yes, it’s hard to believe now, but Cameron was just 21 when she auditioned for The Mask.

Since then she’s become a major movie player, with blockbusters and franchises galore making her one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood.

Could She Fight Zombies?


She’d probably use martial arts moves picked up from her Charlie’s Angels stint to kick off their heads. In other words, yes!

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Total Film

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine. 

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Latest in Movies
Exit 8
Live Action Movies Exit 8 director took inspiration from The Shining for the upcoming horror movie's unique sound design
 
 
Exit 8
Live Action Movies Exit 8 director wants to reinvent video game adaptations and blur the "borders between the movie and game mediums"
 
 
Fox McCloud in the The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Animated Movies The animator behind Fox's intro in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie previously worked on Jujutsu Kaisen
 
 
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in X-Men: The Last Stand
Marvel Movies X-Men director says he's already thinking about potential sequels
 
 
Andy Serkis as Alfred in The Batman
DC Movies Despite Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum scheduling conflicts, Andy Serkis will return as Alfred in The Batman 2
 
 
Dave Filoni
Star Wars Movies Mark Hamill says Dave Filoni is the best choice to lead Lucasfilm: "He knows George's sensibility"
 
 
Latest in Features
Maul (Sam Witwer) in a hood, using the force, with his dual lightsaber drawn in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows When does Maul – Shadow Lord take place in the Star Wars timeline?
 
 
Starfield screenshot
RPGs If NASA's Artemis II mission has you gazing at the stars, there are worse places to be than Starfield on PS5
 
 
Close up of Mario's face as shown on the Super Mario Galaxy series amiibo.
Toys & Collectibles I've been collecting amiibo for 12 years, but the Super Mario Galaxy figures are a huge feast for the eyes
 
 
Warhammer 40K Kravek Morne model facing off against other heroes
Tabletop Gaming Warhammer 40K Eye of Terror reminds me of something the game has been missing for ages
 
 
Blighted key art featuring a monstrous creature on the ground in the background
Action RPGs Blighted, the cannibal Soulslike Metroidvania action RPG, is a lot to swallow
 
 
Animal Crossing characters look up at the moon
Animal Crossing Animal Crossing helped me process grief, and I'm not alone: "Visiting her island has brought me a lot of peace"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Kliff resting by a stream in a forest in Crimson Desert
    1
    Crimson Desert players are literally running out of enemies to fight
  2. 2
    Exit 8 director wants to reinvent video game adaptations and blur the "borders between the movie and game mediums"
  3. 3
    Publisher head says "it doesn't matter" how many of us hate gen AI, Pandora's box has opened
  4. 4
    CD Projekt Red veteran tells devs to unionize after Epic adds 1,000 people to the layoff pile: "We can influence things"
  5. 5
    "We had everything that I've seen from Crimson Desert," ex Just Cause boss says of cancelled game

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...