It must be hard being really really good looking. The fame, glamour, riches, attention and never ending supply of orange mocha frappuccinos present a much envied existence of frivolity for anyone with a pulse. Yet every so often individuals decide to break free from the confines of modelling and attempt the much coveted slashie status with surprising results.

At this stage you may be asking yourself, how many Zoolander references can a writer fit into one paragraph? The answer is three with the possibility of more to come.

The transition is rarely successful, we have all witnessed the train wreck that was Fabio’s attempt at acting in the early nineties series Acapulco H.E.A.T and recently Giselle’s laughable, yet highly watchable, turn as a bank robber in Taxi. These aspiring actors learnt the hard way that looking pretty and acting isn’t necessarily the same thing ... right Zooey Deschanel?

The aforementioned atrocities are all but instantly forgettable, yet there have been some notable exceptions. A glance at recent Oscar winners and nominees would surprise a few to see how many began their careers on the catwalk or the pages of your local Target catalogue.

We have compiled a top ten list of the most successful model-turned-actors. We somewhat grudgingly celebrate the fact that these individuals have been blessed not only with staggering beauty but exceptional thespian talent. Good for them.

10. Famke Jansen
The X-Men star began her career as an Yves Saint Laurent model before her memorable role in GoldenEye. The transition was almost seamless and we were endowed with one of the most memorable Bond girls/villains in recent memory.


 


9. Liv Tyler
Tyler modelled for Interview magazine and a series of commercials before turning her hand at acting with memorable performances in Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Strangers.


 

8. Monica Bellucci
After a stint as a model for Dolce & Gabbana the unbelievably hot Bellucci made a successful transition starring in The Matrix sequels and Irreversible.




7. Cameron Diaz
Diaz was a model for Calvin Klein and Levi’s before she hit the big time with films like The Mask and There's Something about Mary.




6. Angelina Jolie
Admittedly she was a model for all of fifteen minutes but Jolie still counts. Interesting video from a very early photo shoot.



 
5. Kim Basinger
The Academy Award Winning Basinger started her life as a shampoo ad model, having been missing in action for the past few years don’t been surprised if she pops up on TV in the near future with a conditioner bottle in hand.




4. Milla Jovovich
The Fifth Element and her ability to kick ass in Resident Evil established her as an actress.




3. Mark Wahlberg
The only male model we could think of that made a successful transition. The former Calvin Klein model has come a long way since the Marky Mark days.




2. Halle Berry
The former Miss Teen All American 1985 is now an Academy Award Winning Actress.
 



1. Charlize Theron
Both incredibly talented and beautiful. Some people have all the luck.