Before the show's airing, she moved to Los Angeles and daringly took out a full-page ad in the industry newspaper, Variety, announcing her arrival and availability for West Coast representation.

Her dare brought her success; after "Growing Pains", she was cast in numerous roles in films like Oliver Stone's The Doors, Strange Days, Friday the 13th: Jason Takes Manhattan, "Night Court", and "Melrose Place". In the filming of No Way Back with Russell Crowe, Kelly performed as an undercover cop in her first action role.

After graduation, Kelly decided to pursue her career in acting and modeling full time. She traveled to Japan where she worked as a model, getting cast in numerous commercials and was able to put her high school Japanese language studies to use. Then, in the summer of 1987, Kelly got her first paying acting job. She landed the guest-starring role opposite teen heartthrob Kirk Cameron in the season premiere of the hit show "Growing Pains". It was the break she'd been preparing herself for.