The Cheerleaders Who Became Famous – From Pom Poms To Oscars

Denise Richards

Despite being one of Hollywood’s favorite sex symbols, Denise Richards was something of a tomboy back in her Illinois youth. It took a family move to Oceanside, California for her to become more traditionally feminine when she enrolled at the El Camino High School cheering team. It was not long after that the teenage beauty was cast in classic teenage sitcoms like Saved By The Bell and the iconic Married With Children. This was around the time that she was charmed by the notorious Charlie Sheen.

Kelly Ripa

The New Jersey native, Kelly Ripa, began performing not long after she learned to speak. The soap opera legend began training for her future performances during her time at the Eastern Regional High School where she joined the cheerleading team. Her enthusiastic dedication to getting people on their feet put her in fantastic stead for her future drama classes. It was thanks to Jim Beckley, a particularly motivational former teacher of Kelly’s, that she took acting seriously.