Before Canadian actress, Leyla Milani, starred in hit series like Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm, she earned the nickname of “Lucky Leyla” or “Lucky 13.” She used to dabble in “reality” wrestling, too, but it was her stint as a model for Deal or No Deal—lugging that number 13 briefcase many times between 2005 and 2009—that garnered her nationwide attention.
It was an effective launch pad for Milani, who would soon make appearances in reality TV shows and modeling gigs before founding her luxury hair care company, Leyla Milani Hair.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
The general public was surprised when Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his intention to run for public office, but we have a feeling many would be even more shocked to find out how he got his start. Early in Arnie’s career, he was a contestant on the flirtatious 70s matchmaking show, The Dating Game.
At that time, the Austrian strongman was at the bear beginnings of his career, having only one lonely film credit to his name. While it was well before his Terminator days, the soon-to-be superstar had the bachelorettes fighting for a chance to win him over. They were all immediately captured by his mystique, not to mention the feel of his wide and muscular body. And they all listened intently, breath collectively held as he shared his secrets in that sexy foreign accent.
Claudia Jordan
American actress, Claudia Jordan, doesn’t only dazzle you with the golden tone of her skin and her pretty looks. She used to compete in the Junior Olympics and was an all-American sprinter in college, so her figure is always on the money.
As if that phrase serves as a clue as to her past, Jordan also used to be a model for Deal or No Deal. She would catwalk on stage to reveal the hidden monetary value of contestants’ chosen briefcase. Before that she also worked for rival game show, The Price Is Right. Adding to her repertoire, Jordan became a household name after getting fired by Trump on Celebrity Apprentice. This apparent failure turned out to be an opportunity in disguise as it was the exposure needed for Bravo to later hired her for The Real Housewives of Atlanta. And the rest is history.
Markie Post
American actress, Markie Post, ironically started her career from behind the scenes. She may be known to many as Terri Michaels in The Fall Guy on ABC, or for her tough public defender role on the NBC sitcom, Night Court, but Post used to work behind the spotlight, in the back rooms of televised trivia.
She was also known for her appearances on the game show, The Pyramid and Password. In fact, Post became a familiar face in the game show circuit, also serving as associate producer of Double Dare. Not long after, she finally found her way into the acting career she craved.
A.J. McLean
A.J. McLean is a member of the Backstreet Boys. He discovered his love for music early in life, and at the age of four his mother had him enrolled in a dance school where he trained for a minimum of two hours a day. McLean’s career would eventually expand to the fields of dancing, singing, modelling and acting. However, before all that (and all the crazy tattoos), he was simply known as “Mean” McLean.
This name stuck during his time as a formidable contestant on Nickelodeon Guts, back in the 90s. The show was an “action sports” competition which originally ran from 1992 to 1996. McLean dominated the arena and fought for the glowing piece of the Aggro Crag. He failed to win the competition, but certainly became “Larger Than Life.”