His character on “Parks and Recreation” has earned Chris Pratt the reputation of being a bit of a doof. But he certainly knows how to pose in front of a camera. Before his big break in acting, Pratt modeled for brands like Ralph Lauren.
After receiving minor roles in shows like “Everwood” and “The O.C.,” Pratt ultimately landed his gig on “Parks and Recreation.” From there, his career took off and he’s now become a household name. He is most known for starring in films like “Jurassic World,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and “Passengers.”
Mark Wahlberg
At the age of 13, Mark Wahlberg was one of the original members of New Kids On The Block. He left the group abruptly, however, to start his own group, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. During this time he also did some modeling work and is best known for showing off his abs in an ad for Calvin Klein underwear.
Wahlberg's first acting gig was in the TV film “The Substitute,” inspiring him to change his name from Marky Mark to Mark Wahlberg. Since then he has appeared in many popular films including “The Departed,” “The Lovely Bones,” and “Daddy’s Home.”
Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum has been quite open about his humble beginning as a male dancer, even starring in the movie “Magic Mike,” which was loosely based on his experiences. Not everyone knows that Tatum also modeled early on in his career for brands like Abercrombie & Fitch and Nautica. His skills as a dancer ultimately led to his success, though.
In 2006, Tatum took Hollywood by storm with “Step Up.” As one of Hollywood’s favorite leading men, he has since appeared in many other movies. He’s best known for his roles in “Dear John,” “The Vow,” “She's the Man,” “The Dilemma,” and “White House Down.”
Ashton Kutcher
Ashton Kutcher was discovered at a bar in Iowa where he was a college student. After competing and placing first in the “Fresh Faces of Iowa” competition, Kutcher was awarded a modeling contract. This led to his appearance in ads and commercials for Calvin Klein as well as walking runways in Paris and Milan.
It was Kutcher’s success as a model that landed him his breakout role as Michael Kelso on “That ‘70s Show.” This experience led to several comedic roles in films like “Dude, Where's My Car?,” “Just Married,” etc. He continues to work in television as well.
Taylor Swift
Before Taylor Swift and her guitar produced multiple hits, she used it as a prop while modeling for Abercrombie & Fitch. Her modeling career didn’t last long though and was a publicity stunt arranged by her talent manager at the time. She and her family moved to Nashville to push her musical career.
With the help of her father, Swift’s career in the country scene took off. She has since released numerous hit albums, transitioning from country to pop over the years. In addition to a music career, Swift also has dabbled in acting in films like “The Giver,” and “Cats.”