Having a famous family helps a lot when it comes to becoming famous yourself. Phoebe Cates had a lot of help in that her dad was a Broadway producer, and her uncle had worked backstage at several Oscars shows. That made it easy for the young Cates to get into the Julliard School, but it was dancing more than acting she originally pursued.
Cruel fate took dancing away from her though; a knee injury ended any prospect of that career when she was only 15. She took modeling work but hated it. At 17, she almost reluctantly turned to acting, but still agreed to appear completely naked in 'Paradise.' 1982's 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' was a bigger success (including an iconic bikini scene), and 'Private School' continued the theme of her taking on sexual roles in 1983. She somehow managed to jump out of that world and find a family audience with 'Gremlins' in 1984.