80's acting starlet Elisabeth Shue may never have gone into the profession at all if it hadn't been for her brother Andrew landing a role in 'Melrose Place,' inspiring her in the process. Shue displayed some interest while at school, including commercial work for Burger King and DeBeers, but she never considered it likely to become her career until 'The Karate Kid' happened.
Shue only took the role because she wanted money to pay her way into Harvard. The film wasn't expected to be successful - so much so that Shue thought she'd be able to do it without even being recognized at university. She filmed her scenes and then returned to college, working to complete her studies in spite of the movie becoming an unexpected hit. She kept working too, though, starring in 'Adventures in Babysitting' and various TV shows. Eventually, when she appeared opposite Tom Cruise in 'Cocktail,' she bowed to the forces of inevitability and walked away from Harvard to act full time.