Rhiannon Elizabeth Irons
There used to be a saying of “Everybody wants to be an actor.” And with the number of musicians making the leap to the big screen, it made sense to take a look at the who’s who of the music world who have tried their hand at acting.
To be included in this countdown, those on the list must have a predominate effect on the music world, and still be a part of it, while simultaneously being able to deliver believable performances in movies, or on television shows. And while Huge Jackman is a triple threat, his music career is more musical theatre than sold-out stadiums and chart-topping hits.
It would be easy to include some Disney darlings into the mix like Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Demi Lovato, or even someone like Ariana Grande, but considering their start included a mix of screen and song, they deserve their own list.
So, without further ado, I present my Top 13 Singers Who Turned to Acting.
13: Britney Spears
I know she got her start in the Mickey Mouse Club when she was a child but hear me out. Britney may have started on the Mickey Mouse Club, but most of her supremacy came as a result of a little song called …Baby, One More Time when she was seventeen.
Hit single after hit single was released. The Britney domination continued well into the new millennium with the release of Oops!... I Did It Again, and her self-titled 3rd studio album, Britney. The latter album would see her first transition to screen, as she starred in her first movie, Crossroads.
Now, while Crossroads wasn’t going to win any awards, and was critically panned, it served as a stepping-stone for Spears to move into more film work. She would appear in Austin Powers in Goldmember, as well as unforgettable cameos in hit TV shows like Will & Grace and How I Met Your Mother.
Britney has proven she has what it takes to dominate both stage and screen. Who knows what the future has in store for this multi-talented woman.
12: Donnie Wahlberg
From boy band to big screen, Donnie Wahlberg has conquered it all. As a member of New Kids on the Block, Donnie was well established as a heartthrob in the mid-to-late 1980s. In the mid-1990s, he transitioned to acting after NKOTB split, with appearances in 1996’s Bullet with Mickey Rourke, and Ransom with Mel Gibson.
His acting career grew with notable appearances in The Sixth Sense (1999), Band of Brothers (2001), and Triggermen (2002). In 2005, he joined the Saw franchise as Detective Eric Matthews, a beloved and pivotal character in driving the story of serial killer, John Kramer forward.
In 2008, New Kids on the Block reunited, and Donnie returned to the stage alongside his bandmates. In 2010, NKOTB teamed up with another big boy band of the 90s in the Backstreet Boys for NKOTBSB.
Donnie has continued to act, starring in films and television series such as Zookeeper (2011), Return of the Mac (2017), and Blue Bloods (2010-2023). There will always be room in our hearts for this bad boy from the block.
11: Beyonce
Queen B herself makes this list, albeit a bit lower than most people might place her.
A gifted songstress, we were first introduced to Beyonce’s magical voice thanks to her appearance in Girl’s Tyme. In 1995, Beyonce’s father resigned from his job to manage the group. In 1997 the group underwent a rebranding and became known as Destiny’s Child.
Beyonce made her acting debut in Austin Powers in Goldmember in 2002 as Austin’s love interest. In 2006, she returned to the big screen alongside comic legend Steve Martin in The Pink Panther. That same year, she would land the role of a lifetime in Dreamgirls, netting herself praise from those within the acting industry for her role as Deena Jones.
From there, she has been unstoppable both on screen and stage. A true performer, we all bow down to Queen B.
10: Will Smith
I had contemplated Justin Timberlake for this position, however, Will Smith’s career both on screen and stage has dominated headlines for longer. And regardless of what you think of the man, you cannot deny he has talent.
Will started as the MC of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince back in 1985. Their style of light-hearted story-telling raps and capable, though profanity-free, ‘battle’ rhymes won fans.
He began his acting career with his own television show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air which ran from 1990-1996. This proved lucrative for Will and showed off his immense talent, eventually netting him appearances in movies like Made in America (1993), Six Degrees of Separation (1993), and Bad Boys (1995).
In 1997, Will released a new album including the theme song to his feature film, Men In Black.
Bouncing between films and music, Will cemented his status as a genuine superstar, even going as far as to win an Oscar for Best Actor. Too bad that night is marred by one of the most spectacular falls from grace a celebrity of his caliber could achieve. It remains to be seen how his comeback will go. But one thing’s for certain, the Fresh Prince will be back.
9: Queen Latifah
One of only a handful of hip-hop or R&B artists to receive an Academy Award nomination in an acting category, Queen Latifah has proven herself both as a music artist and as an actress.
Releasing her debut album in 1989 at just 19 years of age, All Hail the Queen, Queen Latifah was set for stardom. Her second album, Nature of a Sista’ was released in 1991 and was produced by Tommy Boy Records. Her third album, Black Reign, was released in 1993 and became the first album by a solo female rapper to receive a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America and spawned the single U.N.I.T.Y, which was influential in raising awareness of violence against women and the objectification of black female sexuality. The track reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy Award.
She began her film career by having supporting roles in the 1991 and 1992 films House Party 2, Juice, and Jungle Fever. She also had brief appearances in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper.
Her mainstream acting success came after she appeared in the musical movie adaptation of Chicago (2002). Her role as Matron “Mama” Morton landed her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards, but she lost out to co-star, Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Queen Latifah has continued to surprise us with her accomplishments in both music and screen, dominating both industries with ease. All hail the Queen!
8: Barbra Streisand
One of the most beautiful voices in the world, Barbra Streisand has had a career spanning decades. Beginning as an opening act for comedian Phyllis Diller, Barbra’s first professional engagement came about in September 1960. And she never looked back.
She realized she could become an actress by first gaining recognition as a singer. She improved her stage presence when speaking to the audience between songs. She discovered that her Brooklyn-bred style of humour was received favourably.
She emerged from the clubs and onto Broadway a couple of years later. The praise she got was unmatched and she received a Tony Award nomination and a New York Drama Critic’s prize for Best Supporting Actress.
In 1968, the film world came calling with Funny Girl. From that moment on, Barbra was considered one of the greats.
Her continued work in films like Yentl, The Way We Were, and more recently the Meet The Fockers spin-off franchise, and on the stage, is the reason this legend lands on this list.
7: Dolly Parton
Undoubtedly country music’s biggest superstar, Dolly Parton has had an enviable career both musically and on the big screen.
This singer-songwriter has had 25 singles reach number one on the Billboard country music charts. It all began in 1967 when Porter Wagoner invited Dolly to join his organization, offering her a regular spot on his weekly syndicated television program, The Porter Wagoner Show, and in his road show.
In 1971, Dolly landed her first number one single with Joshua. For the next two years she had numerous solo hits, including her signature song Coat of Many Colours.
The film world came calling in 1980 with the role of Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5. A couple of years later, Dolly returned to the screen in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Dolly has continued to dominate both the charts and screen, becoming one of the most recognizable and sort after singer-turned-actresses. Notable entries to her film career include Steel Magonolias (1989), The Beverly Hillbillies (1993), and Joyful Noise (2012). She even joined her Goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, on her hit Disney show, Hannah Montana.
Is there anything this incredible woman can’t do? No, seriously, I’m asking. #DollyForPresident
6: Madonna
Widely recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, songwriting, and visual presentation, is it any wonder that Madonna would make this list?
Her debut single Everybody was released in October 1982 and she hasn’t looked back from there. Both Everybody and her second single, Burning Up, reached number three on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
The following year, she would have her first international hit, Holiday. From that point on there was no stopping her.
In 1985, less than a year after she released her culture-quaking record Like A Virgin, Madonna also delivered one of her most iconic film roles, starring in Susan Seidelman’s Desperately Seeking Susan alongside Rosanna Arquette.
Critical accolades would come later; there were several more musical reinventions to be had before Madonna won the Golden Globe for Best Actress for Evita in 1997.
She also memorably played Mae Mordabito in A League of Their Own (1992), co-starred with Rupert Everett and Benjamin Bratt in a 2000 dramedy called The Next Big Thing, and even had a cameo in the 2002 James Bond film, Die Another Day, of which she provided the iconic song.
It’s safe to say that no one works as hard in the industry as Madonna does.
5: Frank Sinatra
He may be best remembered as a recording artist, but Frank Sinatra built up an impressive roster of film roles in the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in both musicals – Anchors Aweigh, On the Town, Guys and Dolls, Pal Joey – and dramas like From Here to Eternity. The latter he won the 1954 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
His status as a member of the rat pack is legendary, as are his crooning melodies, but Sinatra’s presence was felt right around Hollywood. He scored himself an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for The Man with the Golden Arm.
In short, Ol’ Blue Eyes was one hell of an accomplished star of the golden era of Hollywood.
4: David Bowie
Kickstarting his music career off in 1962 as a member of the Konrads at the age of 15, David Bowie was destined to leave a legacy. His music inspired generations and he created quite the commercial success for himself.
He had tried his hand at acting back in 1968 with an appearance in an episode of Theatre 625. It wasn’t until 1976 when he starred in The Man Who Fell to Earth when his acting prowess was noticed.
He continued with both music and acting, working on films such as Just a Gigolo (1978), Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983), and Into the Night (1985). In 1986, he landed his most notable role as Jareth in Labyrinth.
His music career continued to flourish. Working with some of the greatest artists of all time, including Mick Jagger, Bowie cemented his legendary status.
Sadly, Bowie passed away in January 2016 at the age of 69. While he is gone, his legacy left behind continues to inspire and entertain.
3: Bette Midler
Multi Grammy Award winning singer, Bette Midler has also proven herself to be quite the capable actress in a string of both dramatic and comedic roles.
She started her career off in New York, appearing on Broadway and performing in the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in the Ansonia Hotel. During this time, she became close to her piano accompanist, Barry Manilow, who produced her debut album in 1972, The Divine Miss M.
In 1979, she appeared in The Rose, a film about the tragic life of a self-destructive female rock star who struggles to deal with the constant pressures of her career and the demands of her ruthless business manager.
The film world continued to call upon Bette, offering her roles in Down and Out In Beverly Hills (1986), Outrageous Fortune (1987), and Big Business (1988). Also in 1988, she starred in Beaches, one of the most tearjerking films of all time, which included her biggest hit to date, Wind Beneath My Wings.
Proving to be successful both musically and on screen, Bette focused on projects that entertained her. In 1993, she became one of the most iconic witches in cinema history, starring in Hocus Pocus as Winifred Sanderson, a role that she would reprise in 2022.
A true force to be reckoned with, Bette Midler continues to delight audiences the world over, whether it be through her unmistakable sounds, or through her movie and TV roles. We bow down to The Divine Miss M.
2: Cher
From one legend to another, Cher’s career has spanned decades. At just 16 years of age, Cher dropped out of school, left her mother’s house, and moved to L.A. with a friend. She took acting classes and worked to support herself by dancing in small clubs along Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, using the clubs as ways to introduce herself to performers, managers, and agents. It is here she met her future husband, Sonny Bono, who helped pave the way for her to have a solo career. Despite Sonny’s push for her to remain a solo artist, she insisted that he join her as she suffered stage fright.
Her acting classes paid off. She got some roles on TV series like The Man from U.N.C.L.E, and Love, American Style.
1987 was a busy year for Cher, film-wise. First came The Witches of Eastwick, followed by Suspect, followed by her Academy Award winning performance for Moonstruck.
Cher followed that up with her 19th studio album in 1989 which produced the single, If I Could Turn Back Time. Following that came her role in Mermaids (1990). She was back in a big way.
At the turn of the millennium, Cher released Believe, coinciding with appearances in Will & Grace and the 2003 film, Stuck on You. In 2010, Cher joined fellow songstress, Christina Aguilera in the musical Burlesque, earning herself a Golden Globe nomination for her song You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me.
To say Cher has done it all is a colossal understatement. No doubt she will continue to entertain us for years to come.
1: Elvis Presley
The King of Rock N Roll had done it all in his short lifespan. He conquered the music world with his distinctive sound and his gyrating dance moves.
He stormed the charts with Heartbreak Hotel in January 1956. In November that same year, he made his film debut in Love Me Tender.
Drafted into the military service in 1958, Elvis relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. It was during this time that he devoted most of his energy to the film industry, making movies and soundtracks albums. Some of his most famous film works include Jailhouse Rock (1957), Blue Hawaii (1961), and Viva Las Vegas (1964).
To say Elvis was the biggest thing to happen to music at that time was an understatement. His impact on both stage and screen are legendary. And while Austin Butler did well to bring the King to the big screen in 2022, there really won’t be another quite like Elvis Presley.
Honourable Mentions
Olivia Newton-John
Lady Gaga
Mark Wahlberg
Justin Timberlake
LL Cool J
Lenny Kravitz
Mandy Moore
Mick Jagger
Meat Loaf
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