Denise Richards
When you think of Denise Richards, you think of fashion, you think of “Starship Troopers” or “Wild Things” however, there is a lot more to this beauty. Before becoming a cheerleader for El Camino High School in Oceanside, California, Denise Richards was an athletic Illinois Tomboy. Once moving beyond schooling, Richards took the nineties by storm in shows like “Saved By The Bell” and ‘Married with Children,” before meeting her now ex-husband Charlie Sheen.
If you’ve ever wondered how Sheen learned how to spell “winning,” we may have just discovered the answer. Richards has recently appeared in ‘Reality Queen!’, “My Adventures with Santa,” and ‘Adventures of Dally & Spanky.”
Sandra Bullock
Wow, another award-winning actress who got her start as a cheerleader. Sandra Bullock has been in numerous incredible movies and television shows, but guess what? She was once a cheerleader. She led pep rallies at Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia.
However, Bullock already had her eye on the prize since she was a big part of the school's theater productions before graduating in 1982. Sandra certainly wasn't blind-sided by fame, if her personality is any indication – that time in high school got her started young. She has since adorned our screen in "The Proposal" and "Speed," making her one of the most successful women in the industry.
Steve Martin
You've certainly seen Steve in some of his blockbuster comedy films, thanks to a career that has spanned more than five decades. "Three Amigos" and "Cheaper by The Dozev" are only some of the hysterical pieces. Before he grew to fame in the sixties, he was a member of his high school cheerleading squad in Garden Grove, California.
The man who would go on to become one of the most beloved and famous funny-men in the world also tried his hand at writing cheers for the squad to perform, but they ended up not using them for one reason or another. Don't worry, young Steve, your time will come.
Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa has always had an affinity for performance while growing up in southern New Jersey, and when she attended Eastern Regional High School, she became a cheerleader with a winning smile. Her drama teacher, Jim Beckley, encouraged her to pursue acting, and Ripa found her calling in life.
She dropped out of college, landing a major role in the soap opera "All My Children." She's gone on to do plenty during her long career, including appearing as the host of "Live With Kelly and Ryan." Ripa has always seen herself under the limelight. A profession in acting, modeling, and cheerleading was mapped out for her since early days and she could never see herself do anything else.
Jenna Dewan
Jenna Dewan's killer dance moves have been on display since 2006 when she appeared as the female lead in the dancing movie "Step Up," alongside pre-fame Channing Tatum. Before getting her start, Jenna was your everyday high school student living in Texas, cheering on the home team before breaking into the entertainment business, thanks to appearing as a backup dancer for superstar Janet Jackson in 2001.
The dancer-slash-actress recently shared a throwback Thursday pic of her in a cute red, white, and blue cheerleading getup. Who would have thought that what started off as tossing pompons on the basketball courts would bring her to such success?