PHOTOS: Gerald Ford And Other Celebs Who Were Once Models

by Verena von Pfetten | 12:58 pm, December 3rd, 2010

There are no shortage of actors and actresses who got their start — or at the very least, paid the bills — as models because obviously the two professions share a love for photogeneity and symmetrical features, but what about other now famous people? Despite modeling’s frivolous reputation, it turns out that more than a few titans of industry, politics, and media once posed for the camera — including the late President Gerald Ford.

Take a look through our gallery and let us know who, if any, surprised you — and who we’re missing!

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1.Ellen von Unwerth

Famous fashion photographer Ellen von Unwerth spent ten years as a model before moving to the other side of the camera.

2.Former President Gerald Ford

Ford spent some time in the 1940s perfecting his male model pose -- and even snagged the April 1942 cover of Cosmopolitan magazine.

3.Carine Roitfeld

The editor in chief of Vogue Paris was discovered on a Parisian street at the ripe age of 18 -- though she claims she was never "a star." Roitfeld shot some editorials for smaller magazines and quickly moved on to writing.

4.Diane Sawyer

Before 60 Minutes, Diane Sawyer won the 1963 America's Junior Miss Pageant.

5.Grace Coddington

Grace Coddington's modeling career was so successful she graced not one but two British Vogue covers. Her career was cut short after a car accident resulted in reconstructive surgery on her face, and so she became a junior fashion editor at British Vogue.