10 Models Turned Movie Stars

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!