Actors who are also (successful) musicians

maestrowork · Mar 6, 2009

Or vice versa... great musicians who also become successful actors.

I wouldn't call people like Beyonce or Eddie Murphy cross-over successes because they're still mostly known (and have reasonable success) for one thing or another. Someone like David Bowie is actually a very good actor, but he's still mostly limited to his music career with the occasional foray into movies.

In the good old days we had people like Frank Sinatra or Barbara Streissand who are/were extremely successful in both music and acting.

I'm trying to think who, currently, can do both... All I can think of is Queen Latifah, but recently her music career has been taking a backseat as well.

And how about actors who successfully cross over to music?

Joaquin Phoenix wants to abandon his acting and focus on music. We'll see how that goes.

Prozyan · Mar 6, 2009

Mos Def pops into my mind, but he's kind of in the same boat as Queen Latifah in that his music career is kind of in the backseat.

scarletpeaches · Mar 6, 2009

My lovely, lovely Jared.

Bmwhtly · Mar 6, 2009

Prozyan said:
Mos Def pops into my mind

Having watched '16 Blocks' recently, I'll agree that he is a good actist.
But his music is before my time *Walks about looking young*

Bubastes · Mar 6, 2009

Kevin Bacon has a band, but I don't know how good he is as a musician.

James81 · Mar 6, 2009

Will Smith.

scarletpeaches · Mar 6, 2009

I notice no-one's mentioning Madonna.

TheIT · Mar 6, 2009

I believe Bill Mumy and Hugh Laurie are also musicians.

escritora · Mar 6, 2009

The guy in the Sopranos who is also part of Springteen's (spelling?) band.

mscelina · Mar 6, 2009

Harry Connick Jr.

TheIT · Mar 6, 2009

Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) & her father

Bubastes · Mar 6, 2009

Jack Black.

Hillary · Mar 6, 2009

My first thought was Jennifer Hudson. Academy Award, BAFTA, SAG Award, Golden Globe, and a Grammy. She's not all that well-established in terms of staying power, but I'd have to say her crossover was pretty darn successful, no?

J Lo has done all right for herself in both arenas too, I guess. Please note I'm not saying she's phenomenally talented, just that she has had number one albums and number one box office releases (at the same time too, I believe), so success...

I have a soft spot for Harry Connick Jr., as well.

Hrm... Now I'm not going to be able to stop trying to think of people!

Hillary · Mar 6, 2009

Oh, can we count Jamie Foxx? Hrm...

Must stop thinking about this, and get on with doing my laundry...

maestrowork · Mar 6, 2009

Yeah Will Smith... but is he still doing music? I hardly hear about his albums anymore.

J.Lo has kind of died down a bit. But for a while she had both going very strongly.

Another one is Mandy Moore. I'm not familiar with her singing career but I think it's still going. And I've seen a couple of her films.

Williebee · Mar 6, 2009

Bon Jovi has done some turns in movies. (U-571, Pay it Forward, Vampires)

Willie Nelson & Kristofferson have, as well.

ETA: Although Willie is pretty much playing "Willie" in most stuff.

maestrowork · Mar 6, 2009

I actually think Tim McGuire is excellent in the few films he's been in. He really impressed me in Friday Night Lights. And his comic turn on SNL had me in stitches.

Marina Snow · Mar 6, 2009

maestrowork said:
Joaquin Phoenix wants to abandon his acting and focus on music. We'll see how that goes.

Joaquin has a great voice. I think he sings Johnny Cash's songs better than Johnny Cash.

:tongue

maestrowork · Mar 6, 2009

Marina Snow said:
Joaquin has a great voice. I think he sings Johnny Cash's songs better than Johnny Cash.

He wants to do RAP, though.

mscelina · Mar 6, 2009

I think you have to count Madonna. She was surprisingly brilliant in Evita IMO.

You could also count Courtney Love as far as that goes.

As for actors who are successful musicians simply because they've done a musical, add Richard Gere, Renee' Zellweiger, Catherine Zeta-Jones (Chicago) Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge) Hugh Jackman (he does musicals in the theatre) Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter (Sweeney Todd) Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane (The Producers) and Gerard Butler (Phantom.)

Ice-T counts too.

TheIT · Mar 6, 2009

Meat Loaf has done some acting, too.

Bubastes · Mar 6, 2009

Under mscelina's definition, we have to add Meryl Streep (Mamma Mia and Prairie Home Companion)

mscelina · Mar 6, 2009

My definition doesn't exactly fit the qualifications of the OP. I just wanted a good reason to type Ewan McGregor and Gerard Butler. I'm sure you understand.

Johnny Cash counts. so does Dolly Parton.

Jersey Chick · Mar 6, 2009

Russell Crowe? I know he had a band (still has one) but I don't know how good/successful they are/were -

maestrowork · Mar 6, 2009

Bubastes said:
Under mscelina's definition, we have to add Meryl Streep (Mamma Mia and Prairie Home Companion)

Nah, nothing against you, mscelina

but I am not accepting that definition. Actors who sing in films are different. Meryl Streep, for example, does not have a singing career.

So let's stick with people who actually have BOTH careers going.

Now, I would accept Hugh Jackman because he was/is a Broadway star, doing musicals, etc. and have recordings before he became a movie star.

As for actors who have bands... same thing. Many people have or are in bands, but I think we need to keep the definition more pure: people who actually made it as a band. Say:

Bono or Bon Jovi...

Actors who are also (successful) musicians

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