14 Supermodels Who Conquered Film And Television
Ever wonder what happens when runway royalty trades the catwalk for the camera? Some of the world’s most famous supermodels didn’t just dominate magazine covers and fashion shows.
They stepped into Hollywood with the same confidence and charisma that made them icons on the runway, proving they could act as fiercely as they could strut. Blockbuster movies and binge-worthy TV series became their new stages, showcasing how beauty, talent, and star power can perfectly collide.
Explore these supermodels who conquered screens and see how fashion legends became unforgettable on film and television.
1. Cindy Crawford
With that unmistakable beauty mark and megawatt smile, Cindy Crawford became one of the most recognizable faces on Earth during the 1990s. But she wasn’t content to just grace magazine covers forever.
Her leap into acting included the 1995 action thriller Fair Game, where she starred opposite Billy Baldwin in a high-stakes spy adventure. Though critics weren’t exactly blown away, Crawford proved she had guts to try something completely different.
She also popped up on beloved TV shows like The Nanny, bringing her natural charm to the small screen with memorable guest appearances.
2. Naomi Campbell
If anyone embodies the phrase “total powerhouse,” it’s Naomi Campbell. This British-Jamaican beauty didn’t just walk runways, she owned them with a fierceness that translated perfectly to acting roles.
Her filmography includes the hilarious Zoolander 2, where she played herself with tongue-in-cheek perfection. Television became her playground too, with standout appearances in Empire and the chilling American Horror Story franchise.
Campbell brought the same intensity to acting that made her a supermodel legend, proving versatility knows no bounds when you’ve got genuine star quality.
3. Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks transformed from supermodel sensation into a television empire builder, but her acting chops deserve serious recognition too. Before becoming America’s Next Top Model host, she was racking up impressive screen credits.
Her recurring role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Will’s girlfriend Jackie showed off her comedic timing perfectly. Banks also appeared in movies like Coyote Ugly and Life-Size, the latter becoming a beloved cult classic where she played a literal Barbie doll come to life.
4. Brooke Shields
Starting as a child model, Brooke Shields seamlessly transitioned into one of Hollywood’s most enduring actresses. Her iconic eyebrows and striking features made her unforgettable, but her talent kept audiences coming back.
Shields starred in controversial films like The Blue Lagoon and Endless Love as a teenager, then matured into sophisticated comedy with the TV series Suddenly Susan, which ran for four successful seasons. Her ability to balance drama and humor showed remarkable range.
Even today, she continues acting in projects like Jane the Virgin, proving longevity comes from genuine skill, not just good looks.
5. Milla Jovovich
Born in Ukraine and raised to conquer Hollywood, Milla Jovovich became the ultimate action heroine after starting her career as a teenage model. Her ethereal beauty caught eyes first, but her warrior spirit sealed the deal.
The Resident Evil franchise turned her into a global action star, with Jovovich performing many of her own stunts across six films. She also starred in The Fifth Element, showcasing her ability to blend sci-fi weirdness with genuine emotion.
Jovovich proved models could be total badasses, kicking butt in leather boots while looking impossibly cool doing it.
6. Christy Turlington
Christy Turlington represented the sophisticated side of supermodeling, with her classic features and graceful presence making her a 90s icon. Her acting ventures reflected that same thoughtful approach to career choices.
She starred in the 1994 drama Catwalk, which gave audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the fashion world she knew intimately. Turlington also appeared in various documentaries and television specials, using her platform to advocate for maternal health issues worldwide.
While acting wasn’t her primary focus, her screen presence always radiated the intelligence and poise that defined her entire career.
7. Andie MacDowell
Though many forget Andie MacDowell started as a model for Elite and appeared in countless Calvin Klein campaigns, her acting career quickly overshadowed her runway days. That Southern charm and girl-next-door beauty translated beautifully to film.
MacDowell starred in romantic classics like Four Weddings and a Funeral and Groundhog Day, becoming America’s sweetheart in the process. Her natural, understated acting style felt refreshingly real compared to more theatrical performers.
Andie continues working steadily today, proving that authentic talent ages like fine wine, getting better and more interesting with every passing year.
8. Cameron Diaz
Before becoming one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actresses, Cameron Diaz was modeling for brands like Calvin Klein and Levi’s as a teenager. Her infectious energy and comedic genius were just waiting to explode onto screens everywhere.
Cameron’s breakout role in The Mask opposite Jim Carrey showcased her natural comedic timing and fearless physicality. Diaz went on to star in massive hits like There’s Something About Mary, Charlie’s Angels, and Shrek as the voice of Princess Fiona.
Her ability to be simultaneously gorgeous and hilariously goofy made her irreplaceable in Hollywood’s comedy landscape for decades.
9. Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron’s journey from South African model to Academy Award winner represents one of Hollywood’s greatest transformation stories. Her statuesque beauty opened doors, but her fearless commitment to roles kicked them wide open.
Theron won an Oscar for Monster, where she underwent a dramatic physical transformation to play serial killer Aileen Wuornos with haunting authenticity. She also became an action star in Mad Max: Fury Road and Atomic Blonde, performing intense stunts that left audiences breathless.
10. Rebecca Romijn
Standing six feet tall, Rebecca Romijn dominated fashion runways before trading haute couture for Hollywood blockbusters. Her statuesque frame and striking features made her perfect for larger-than-life roles that demanded presence.
Romijn became iconic as Mystique in the X-Men film trilogy, spending hours in blue body paint to bring the shape-shifting mutant to life with athletic grace. Romijn also starred in the TV series Ugly Betty and The Librarians, showing her comedic and adventurous sides.
Her willingness to disappear into characters, even when covered head-to-toe in prosthetics, showed true dedication to the craft beyond just looking good.
11. Tatjana Patitz
Tatjana Patitz represented the more mysterious, enigmatic side of 90s supermodeling, with her striking features and intense gaze making her unforgettable in fashion photography. Her transition to acting felt natural given that captivating screen presence.
She appeared in the 1993 thriller Rising Sun alongside Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes, holding her own against Hollywood heavyweights. Patitz also made guest appearances on shows like The Larry Sanders Show, displaying unexpected comedic timing.
Though she preferred quieter roles that matched her private personality, her performances always carried a sophisticated European elegance that elevated every project she touched.
12. Cara Delevingne
With those legendary eyebrows and quirky personality, Cara Delevingne exploded onto the modeling scene before quickly pivoting to acting with the same fearless energy. Her generation’s supermodel-to-actress transition happened at lightning speed compared to her predecessors.
Delevingne starred in major films like Suicide Squad as Enchantress and Paper Towns as the mysterious Margo. She also appeared in the sci-fi epic Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, showcasing her ability to anchor big-budget productions.
13. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley went from Victoria’s Secret Angel to action movie star, proving British elegance could pack a serious punch on the big screen. Her porcelain features and statuesque figure translated beautifully to cinematic close-ups.
She starred opposite Shia LaBeouf in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, replacing Megan Fox in the blockbuster franchise with poise and athleticism. Huntington-Whiteley also appeared in Mad Max: Fury Road, holding her own in one of the decade’s most critically acclaimed action films.
14. Emily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski became famous after appearing in Robin Thicke’s controversial Blurred Lines music video, then leveraged that viral moment into both modeling stardom and acting opportunities. Her social media savvy represents a new generation’s path to Hollywood.
She starred in the thriller Gone Girl directed by David Fincher, playing Ben Affleck’s mistress with surprising nuance for such a small role. Ratajkowski also appeared in films like We Are Your Friends and Welcome Home, steadily building her acting resume.
