They Can Do It All
They can belt out a tune, but did you know that these 40 singers have also been actors? And not B-list ones—their performances in major films are undeniably spectacular.
Beyoncé
We’ve all heard of singer Beyoncé. Hits such as “Single Ladies” and “Crazy in Love” may come to mind. Did you know that she is also an actor? In 2006, she performed as Deena Jones in the movie Dreamgirls—and she was nominated for a Golden Globe.
Dean Martin
The heartthrob who played Jerry Lewis’ counterpart on radio and film and co-starred with John Wayne in the movie Rio Bravo was also a musical genius. You read that correctly. Before taking a place on the big screen, Dean Martin delivered chart toppers like “That’s Amore” and “Everybody Loves Somebody”.
Warner Bros., Rio Bravo (1959)
John Denver
In the middle of the 1970s, John Denver had reached his musical pinnacle. Not only had he written the song “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, made famous by Peter, Paul, and Mary, but he had recorded the hits “Rocky Mountain High”, “Sunshine on My Shoulders”, and “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. Still, he wanted to be more than a singer-songwriter. In 1977, he added actor to his resume when he played the main role of Jerry Landers in the movie Oh, God!
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill was dubbed an actor before earning celebrity status as a singer—in fact, it may be that playing rebellious teen Rita Louise Watson spawned her musical career. Five years after she acted in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, her solo album entitled The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill shot to number one on Billboard, Rolling Stone, Spin, and Time.
Touchstone, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson is considered one of the best singers of all time. Did you know that he also acted as the Scarecrow in Diana Ross’s retelling of The Wizard of Oz? He was considered a “perfect fit” with the way he successfully mimicked Charlie Chaplin “throughout every wobbling leg and wiggling arm in his physically expressive performance”.
Ann Margret
Born Ann-Margret Olsson, this Swedish-American was famed for her “sultry” voice. For seven decades, she led the charts with songs and her many roles in films such as Pocketful of Miracles, Viva Las Vegas, Carnal Knowledge, and Grumpy Old Men. Perhaps her most celebrated role was playing high schooler Kim MacAfee in Bye, Bye Birdie at the young age of 22.
Columbia, Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson is known for funky costumes, a “wardrobe malfunction”, and for being the iconic Michael Jackson’s younger sister. You’ve heard of her hits “Rhythm Nation” and “What Have You Done for Me Lately”. Did you also know that in 1993, Jackson played the character Justice alongside Tupac’s Lucky, in the movie Poetic Justice? Its opening weekend at the American box office saw it at number one with over $11,700,000 in ticket sales.
Columbia, Poetic Justice (1993)
Harry Belafonte
In 1954, when he was only 22 years old, Harry Belafonte pulled off an incredible portrayal of Joe in the all-Black cast film Carmen Jones. The unbelievable fact? Despite his Tony Award-winning voice, Belafonte’s singing was deemed “unsuitable for the register” and was dubbed over.
Twentieth Century, Carmen Jones (1954)
Kris Kristofferson
On September 28 of this year, the musical legend Kris Kristofferson passed away at age 88. Not only did he croon with the likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson, but he also starred in the original 1976 version of A Star is Born. In the 2018 version, Lady Gaga plays alongside Bradley Cooper. In the first film, Kristofferson’s performance with leading lady Barbra Streisand was considered “simmering”.
Warner Bros., A Star Is Born (1976)
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey can belt out a tune. She’s had 19 number one hits, and 28 songs in the Top 10. Considered a Diva, Carey shocked the world in 2009 when she accepted the role of a seemingly make-up-less character in the movie Precious. She was highly criticized for being “unrecognizable” and “dowdy”.
Meatloaf
Of course, we’re not talking about the American meal staple involving breadcrumbs and hamburger. We’re referring to the singer who was nicknamed Meat due to resembling "nine pounds of ground chuck,” four days after he was born. Probably most renowned for his 1977 smash hit “Paradise by the Dashboard Light”, Meatloaf also acted in the 1999 thriller Fight Club.
Twentieth Century, Fight Club (1999)
Courtney Love
Songwriter, guitarist, and lead singer of the band Hole, Courtney Love was 32 years old when cast in The People vs. Larry Flynt. Her role earned her a New York Films Critics Circle award. The incredibly ironic fact is that in order to land the role of an addict, Love had to first get clean.
Columbia, The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996)
Whitney Houston
Newark native Whitney Houston lived an intriguing life yet suffered a tragic end. In 2019, her smash hit “I Will Always Love You” was deemed worthy of being added to the US Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. She not only belted out “full-force, from-the-rafters blowouts”—she was an actor. In 1992, she acted in the film The Bodyguard alongside Kevin Costner. Some consider Whitney Houston’s role as diva Rachel Marron so realistic that it “safely holds a place among musician debuts on the big screen”.
Warner Bros., The Bodyguard (1992)
Diana Ross
Diana Ross is another Top 40 star with an unbelievable voice. Dubbed the “Queen of Motown Records”, Ross was once the lead singer in the group The Supremes before going solo. Her debut acting performance in the 1972 film Lady Sings the Blues earned her an Oscar nomination. Despite her incredible fame, colleagues claimed Ross had “no ego”.
Paramount, Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
Tim McGraw
You may know him for his country hits such as “Live Like You Were Dying” and “Don’t Take the Girl”. 30 of his singles have rocketed to number one on the US charts. You may also know him for his role as the angry, abusive father of a talented high school football player in Friday Night Lights. Some fans were so impressed with his performance that they recommended he quit singing and concentrate on acting.
Universal, Friday Night Lights (2004)
Janelle Monae
38-year-old Janelle Monae is a big name in R&B, though she has dabbled in the world of pop and rap. She also has a few films under her belt. Her resume includes Hidden Figures and Moonlight—both of which were contenders for Best Picture in 2016.
Twentieth Century, Hidden Figures (2016)
Bette Midler
Bette Midler’s voice is “predictably gut-wrenching” in her vocal pop ditties and in her role as Janis Joplin in The Rose. “Midler slices open an emotional vein and bleeds all over the role in one of the most vulnerable performances ever committed to screen”.
Twentieth Century, The Rose (1979)
Mary J Blige
In 2017, Mary J Blige set a record: She was the first person ever at the Oscars to be nominated in both acting and music categories. Referred to as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul”, Blige’s ninth acting gig in 2017 was in the novel-based film Mudbound.
Doris Day
Though her first career was in the world of big band music, it’s difficult to separate Doris Day’s acting and singing careers—she was prolific in both. In the world of Hollywood, she is best known for playing an independent woman seeking lust in Pillow Talk.
Ice-T
Ice-T is a fascinating musical mix of hip-hop and heavy metal. Recognized as a musical celebrity in both of these worlds, he began his career as an “underground rapper” in the 1980s, all while enrolled in the US military. His first on-screen role was in the 1991 movie New Jack City. Despite his initial concerns that the flick might flop, it was a huge success and made almost $50 million at the box office.
Warner Bros., New Jack City (1991)
Olivia Newton-John
Perhaps you grew up in a world where Olivia Newton-John was better known as Sandra Dee—her somewhat prudish character in the movie Grease. Before this role, however, she had already spent years singing her heart out in clubs and on television.
David Bowie
David Bowie was famous for songs like “Starman”, “Life on Mars?”, and “Hallo Spaceboy”. How ironic then that his first acting role was in 1976 as an alien in The Man Who Fell to Earth. Sure, some people considered it “weird” but Billboard staff member KR claims, “the forever-uncanny Bowie looked the part, acted the part—he was the part”.
Cinema 5, The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
Will Smith
Will Smith, born Willard Carroll Smith II, has been in so many movies we sometimes forget that he had his start as a rapper. You may recall him as half of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. His first acting gig was in the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Since then, his list of accomplishments has grown long, including Men in Black and Ali—though some of that acclaim was overshadowed by the now infamous incident at the 2022 Academy Awards involving him and comedian Chris Rock.
Warner Bros., King Richard (2021)
Eminem
For Eminem, the movie 8 Mile was “essentially telling his own life story”. The plot involves rapper B-Rabbit attempting to make his way into a genre of music traditionally dominated by African Americans. The public loved it—and Eminem earned a prestigious Oscar.
Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra is a big name in the world of music, but some fans don’t realize that his sensational career took a nosedive around 1947. A few years later, he had the opportunity to act in From Here to Eternity. He took home an Oscar for his portrayal of a soldier at the Pearl Harbour attack.
Columbia, From Here to Eternity (1953)
Björk
Singing and composing soundtracks for films is nothing new to Björk. Her work has been heard in The Young Americans, Anton, and Being John Malkovich. The surprising fact about Lars Von Trier’s movie Dancer in the Dark is that Björk both created the soundtrack and acted in it.
Zentropa, Dancer in the Dark (2000)
Queen Latifah
Rapper Queen Latifah, from New Jersey, has broken down barriers and stereotypes of women in rap music. In 2002, she added acting to her repertoire. When the well-loved Broadway musical Chicago was adapted to movie form, Queen Latifah was the perfect fit for the role of “Mama” Morton, who amorally ran the women’s prison. She proved her aptitude for acting even if her colleague Catherine Zeta-Jones was awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Mark Wahlberg
If you’re a fan of the early 90s, then you may recall Mark Wahlberg’s initial claim to fame as lead singer of the hip-hop group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. After some help from his brother, Donnie, a member of New Kids on the Block, Marky Mark’s song “Good Vibrations” quickly made it to number one on the charts. Besides being a somewhat controversial Calvin Klein model, he quickly slid into the world of acting. He’s starred in over 70 movies—from playing Eddie Adams in Boogie Nights to the lead in Transformers: Age of Extinction.
Paramount, Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
Tupac Shakur
Before meeting an untimely end, East Harlem rapper Tupac Amaru Shakur was “one of the top-selling artists of all time”. He was also an actor. Playing devilish character Bishop, who was obsessed with the power of weapons, Tupac celebrated his 20th birthday on the set of the movie Juice.
Justin Timberlake
Before bringing sexy back, Justin Timberlake was a child actor in The All-New Mickey Mouse Club. Like fellow actors Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, he became very successful on the musical charts. After seven years with the boy band NSYNC, he became a Grammy-winning solo artist. In 2006, he started acting on the big screen and one of his most successful roles was as Napster co-founder Sean Parker in The Social Network.
Columbia, The Social Network (2010)
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton’s 1971 song “Joshua” skyrocketed her to fame, and she quickly became one of the biggest names people associate with country music. In 1980, she also impressed fans with her rendition of spunky Doralee Rhodes in the film 9 to 5.
Twentieth Century, 9 to 5 (1980)
Jennifer Hudson
You may know singer Jennifer Hudson from her seventh-place finish on American Idol’s third season. She may not have placed in the top three but her notoriety on the show helped her confidence and career. She was chosen to play Effie White in the movie Dreamgirls—over Fantasia Barrino who had beaten her for first place on American Idol. Hudson acted her way to a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Not bad for her film debut.
Prince
As the “showstopper” ending for many of his live concerts, often went with the song “Purple Rain”. What most people don’t realize is that the song was written as part of a soundtrack of a movie with the same name. Prince played the main character in this movie, which highly resembled his own childhood and rise to fame.
Warner Bros., Purple Rain (1984)
Madonna
Madonna. What can be said about “one of the most powerful women of the 20th century”? She sings. She acts. She challenges sexism in the music industry. After becoming the “Queen of Pop” in the world of music, she tried her hand at acting. Performing alongside Geena Davis and Rosie O’Donnell, she embodied the role of Mae in the film A League of Their Own. Apparently, she was so down to earth that on her birthday she made Rice Krispie treats for everyone.
Columbia, A League of Their Own (1992)
Judy Garland
Fans of the iconic Wizard of Oz will know the name Judy Garland. In the 1939 version of the film, Garland endowed the main character Dorothy Gale with oodles of personality and charm. Only 18 at the time, Garland was presented with a Juvenile Oscar. Celebrity status wasn’t completely new to Garland who had been performing since early childhood with her sisters in a vaudeville group named The Gumm Sisters.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is super talented. She’s a beloved pop star who sells out concerts and rakes in $2.5-$6 million per event. She has also been in 16 movies. In 2018, she played Ally in the remake of A Star is Born. As one review stated, “Gaga’s acting artistry…really shines through…. when Gaga takes her final bow, introducing herself as Mrs Ally Maine, her star as a bona fide actress is born”.
Warner Bros., A Star Is Born (2018)
Ice Cube
O’Shea Jackson Sr, AKA Ice Cube, is a rapper who also adds the elements of politics to his albums. Besides having written 824 songs, he has done some acting. His performance in Boyz N the Hood in 1991 was lauded with the compliment, “It hardly seems like acting at all”.
Columbia, Boyz n the Hood (1991)
Barbra Streisand
Glenn Gould was beyond impressed with Barbra Streisand’s vocal talent, commenting that “it can be supple, thundering, mellow, sinuous, brassy, rounded, gorgeous”. Her acting abilities have been deemed equally impressive. Her list of awards is lengthy, including two Oscars and 10 Grammys.
Cher
Born Cherilyn Sarkisian, Cher is an American singer with a spectacular list of songs including “Take Me Home” and “Love Hurts”. She’s sold 100 million records and her acting CV includes 18 films. One of the most popular ones was Moonstruck, a romcom tale of a new widow lusting after her brother-in-law. For this role, she received an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Selena Gomez
Four disengaged college students decide to fund a vacay by holding up a chicken shack. Sounds like the start of a bad joke, but it’s the plot for Spring Breakers, which stars Selena Gomez. After innocent roles with Disney and on Barney and Friends, Gomez’s character Faith was a controversial choice.
The raunchy nature of the film and its portrayal of women sparked ire from critics and audiences alike. Many felt that it promoted the objectification of women and reinforced dangerous ideas around intimacy and consent—but it was these same controversial points that led some to feel it was one of the best films of the 2010s. Fans say the movie is a misunderstood but accurate portrayal of the dark side of youth culture and the American dream.
