It has happened, and the most famous case is Susan Sarandon. She was married to actor Chris Sarandon — note the similar last name, that would be a clue — and accompanied him to an audition and was “discovered” because she had just the right look for a role at that time.
Now, it should be noted that Chris Sarandon has worked in a number of films, and just getting ANY film career is not nothing. You may best remember him as the chief villain in “The Princess Bride.” He was also the good cop who shot Chucky in the original “Child’s Play.” But he was at best a “B-” lister.
His wife Susan, who was cast in “Joe” as a hippie chick, and then very memorably in “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” as Janet, became an “A list” star.
Another interesting example (although it is not strictly an example of what you’re asking) is Harrison Ford, who was hired merely to read opposite other actors auditioning for Star Wars. He often read the part of Han Solo to help OTHER actors read for Luke and Leah… but eventually Lucas realized that Harrison Ford was good enough to really play the role.
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