Acting is an ability you can't quite put your finger on.
It can come from anywhere, and as we're gonna show you with this list, talent can come from
an unlikely place.
These actors were models before making it big and they were able to transform their
success into more creative career paths.
Perhaps it's no surprise that power behind a camera translates to power on the big screen.
Some people have all the luck – looks, and talent.
Being born good looking isn't everything, our first model-turned-actor had a rough childhood
and serious issues with drugs and violence, but a stint in prison taught him about honing
his body and lifting weights.
With his newfound physique, Mark Wahlberg, a.k.a.
Marky Mark went on to be famous as a rapper, and
modeling agencies took notice his body.
From his rough start up until now, he's found repeated success and
a productive outlet for his demons.
Charlize Theron was discovered while making a desperate scene to a bank teller who wouldn't
cash a check.
Before fame, her life in South Africa wasn't easy.
Her father was an abusive alcohol who ended being shot and killed by her mother.
At 16 she got her first modeling contract which lead her to travel the world and end
up in the United States where she eventually developed herself as a top actress, going
on to win an academy award.
Josh Duhamel had planned to attend dental school, but dropped out of university a few
credits shy of his undergraduate degree.
After working various odd jobs and high fashion modeling, he eventually got a start in acting
through a music video.
His big break came when he was hired for the television series Las Vegas which established
his likeness to the public.
As of now, he is happily married to Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie with whom he has one
child.
Milla Jovovich started modeling at the age of nine!
Her mother had dreamed of being an actress, so she did her best to give her daughter the
opportunities she never had.
Soon after her beginning in modeling, at the age of 10 years old, she began taking acting
classes which would lead to her becoming the science-fiction and action movie star she
is today.
Believe it or not, she was also signed to a record label at a very young age, which
goes to show you that her talent shines beyond her looks.
Channing Tatum didn't need much practice when he played a male stripper in the movie Magic
Mike, in fact, he began his career as a stripper which eventually lead to modeling.
Spending almost a decade in the high fashion industry, his work on a music video as a dancer
opened his eyes to the film and acting industry.
He slowly gained more roles until he could fully transition to acting.
These days, he's successful enough to be his own producer and to have played a wide variety
of roles in films of different genre.
Sharon Stone has had an engaging life.
From being academically gifted at a young age, and having been scouted out for her looks,
to giving it all up in the hopes of becoming an actress, for which she only started getting
recognition in her early 30s... which is pretty old for the people on this list...
it goes to show that even with a great head-start, everybody goes at their own pace.
Halle Berry is the only black woman so far, as of 2016, to have an academy award for best
actress.
Before her major industry breakthrough in rom com 'Boomerang', starring Eddie Murphy,
Berry was a professional model and beauty pageant contestant, though life wasn't so
glamorous.
When she first moved to New York for modeling, she had been homeless for a few weeks, sleeping
in shelters and at the local YMCA.
Looking at where she is now, we can see that her hard work and dedication paid off.
Most well known for his portrayal of Cyclops in the X-Men movie series, James Marsden is
a classic pretty boy.
His high cheekbones, boyish good looks and chiseled jaw have allowed him to model for
Versace when he left college to pursue his acting career.
It seems he made the right choice
Cameron Diaz is the second highest grossing actress of all time.
From starting as a model at the age of 16, she became a modern Hollywood leading woman,
landing her first major role in her early 20s without any acting experience, and keeping
the ball rolling since then.
She has credits in over fifty features, and she has worked with the best actors and directors.
From model to actor, from actor to social media figure, from social media figure to
start-up investor.
Our top model-turned-actor is Ashton Kutcher, originally famous for comedies such as the
TV series That 70's Show, the film Dude Where's My Car, and eventually the self-produced prank
show Punk'd.
He began as a model, entering a competition and placing second to Josh Duhamel – small
world -- Did we mention that he was studying biochemical engineering before quitting school
to become a model?
And now, he is a successful venture capitalist who has invested in the likes of Skype and
Airbnb.
Who said brains and beauty have to be separate?
As we've seen, these people have found success in the eyes of the public.
While it may be true that they were given a healthy start, it's impossible to argue
with where they are today.
Of all the pretty looking people in the world, they are the ones who rose to the top, and
used their looks to maximum effect.
Maybe it goes to show that with a little luck, and a lot of hard work, you can turn good
looks into more than just a pretty face.