8 beauty queens turned Hollywood stars - see their stunning throwback photos

Today, Halle Berry is known for her roles in Die Another Day, Monster's Ball and the John Wick and X-Men franchises. But before she became an actress, the star was a very successful beauty queen.

In the 1980s, the star won the likes of Miss Teen All American 1985 and Miss Ohio USA 1986. She was also the first runner-up for Miss USA 1986, and she made history that same year when she became the first African-American to represent the United States at Miss World, although she only finished in sixth place.

Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot was a minor television star in her youth, but she made her film debut back in 2009 in Fast & Furious. She has also had roles in Death on the Nile and Snow White.

But before she made her screen debut, she also worked as a beauty queen and won the title of Miss Israel in 2004. She subsequently competed in that year's Miss Universe competition, although she only finished in 15th place on this occasion.

While Vanessa Williams might be known for her singing and theatre performances, recently finishing her stint in The Devil Wears Prada, the star is also an accomplished screen actress, starring in the likes of The Pick-Up Artist, Eraser and Miss Virginia.

However, before her career took off, she famously won Miss America 1984, being the first Black woman to hold the title. However, she later resigned her title following a media controversy around nude photographs published by Penthouse without her consent. Vanessa was offered a public apology by Miss America 32 years later in 2016.

Gal wasn't the only Wonder Woman to have modelled before taking on the iconic role, as Lynda Carter was also a famous beauty queen in the 1970s. The star has also had roles in Sky High and the Super Troopers franchise.

But before her big break, she won the title of Miss World USA 1972, competing in the subsequent Miss World pageant, where she finished in the Top 15.

Given that she's one of Hollywood's most famous starlets, it should be no surprise that Sophia Loren used to be a beauty queen, but what might be more surprising is that she didn't win!

Back in 1950, Sophia competed in the Miss Italia competition, but the gorgeous brunette only finished as a finalist. She did, however, earn the title of Miss Elegance at the famous pageant.

While today you might know Oprah Winfrey from her stellar talk show, the star is a two-time Academy Award nominee, including for her role in The Color Purple. Meanwhile, Selma, on which she served as a producer, was nominated for Best Picture at the 2015 Oscars.

Before she became a household name, the star won the title of Miss Black Tennessee, being only 17 when she earned bagged the accolade.

Thanks to her roles in La Dolce Vita and War and Peace, Anita Ekberg was the ultimate blonde bombshell of the 1950s and 1960s, so it should be no surprise that the star started her career as a beauty queen.

The highlight for the star, who sadly passed away in 2015, was when she became Miss Sweden 1950.

Today, Priyanka Chopra is most famous for roles in Baywatch, Love Again and The Matrix Resurrections, alongside a string of Bollywood hits.

But before she became famous, Priyanka earned one of the highest honours in the beauty pageant world, when she was crowned Miss World 2000 after winning Miss India 2000.