Did you know that most actors like to think of themselves as musicians too? Well, some do, and with varying degrees of success. The Hollywood Mag has assembled what we think to be the most comprehensive look at the stars who not only dominate the screen but our speakers too. Oh, and a few that shouldn’t quit their day jobs.
Jared Leto
You have probably seen Jared Leto in his element in a slew of movies and comic roles, but you sure as the sun rises did not know that he sings in a band and the name of that band is 30 Seconds to Mars. You might have heard of some of their songs, and they go by nice names like Night of the Hunter and Attack. Leto is the lead singer, and is joined by a raft of team mates. The band likes to describe itself as an alternative rock outfit.
Keanu Reeves
Enter Neo, and there is a glitch in the Matrix. If you remember this dystopic trilogy, then you certainly catch my drift. Keanu reeves wowed us in the Matrix, but you would never guess that he likes to sing, and has done it in the past. Reeves is the bassist of a group that calls itself the Dogstars. In actual sense, this band hit the headlines because of the totally non-music related activities of the superstar.
Miley Cyrus
It is incredible to imagine that the 22 year-old started out as an actor in the musical comedy series, Hanna Montana. In the series, she plays the part of the main character, and has actually accused this role of giving her Dysmorphia. Okay, I do not know what that means either. Miley has of course risen to the top in recent years, belting out hits such as ‘wrecking ball’ and ‘party in the USA’. She is known for her saucy styles that show lots of flesh, and yeah, she likes to crack jokes about weed. You certainly remember that Nicki Minaj totally burned her in the VMA’s very recently. Miley, what’s good? Seriously though, maybe we need to cut her some slack.
Gwyneth Paltrow
You might remember that she broke out in thrillers such as Seven and went on to act in a series of post office box hits. What most of us did not know is that the actress is quite a good country music singer. Well, she has not exactly come out of the blocks running, but her music is still good. She has actually performed alongside big names such as Jay-Z in one of his concerts.
Jennifer Lopez
She is the fly girl, the dancer in the television hit series, In Living Color. All we can say here is that the singer had a great run in that series and surprised even the most stoic of us. Apart from acting, the daughter of Puerto Rican parents has had a stellar music career that has spanned more than a decade. She has had many of her songs hitting the top of the charts, an example being ‘I’m into you’ with rapper L’il Wayne.
Jamie Foxx
Mr Foxx has been around for as long as we can remember, and he has certainly enjoyed many personal milestones. Several years ago, he starred in a slavery-era movie known as Django Unchained, in the role of the main character, Django. It was a vintage performance from the ace, who also doubles up as a musician. He is featured in the song ‘gold digger by Rapper Kanye West. Foxx has also contributed majorly to songs such as ‘she got her own’.
Kevin Bacon
At the age of 57, Bacon has seen it all. He started out as an actor in old thrillers such as JFK. It is actually two decades since he acted in that legal flick, but the intervening years have been good for the star too. His latest role was in the series Following, a project that was cancelled a few months ago. He is also half of the music band, the Bacon Brothers, where he sings alongside his brother Michael. The two started singing together when they were children, but they made the whole singing thing professional in 1995.
William Shatner
The aging star is known for his eccentric roles in a variety of movies, but his most famous role comes in the Star Trek editions. In 2010,he starred in the comedy series Shit My Dad Says. Unfortunately, the series was cancelled barely a year in. Outside acting, Shatner is known for his unique brand of music, and by unique I mean slightly weird and disturbing. Ha-ha, just saying. His first album came out once upon a time, and by that I mean way back in 1968 where his aforementioned brand involved the spoken word. His compositions have become the subject of parodies and a butt of many scandalous jokes.
Zooey Deschanel
The 35-year old native of Los Angeles made her big-screen debut in 1999,her first role coming in the movie, Mumford. With a successful debut like that, it was inevitable that the roles would just keep coming for the star. One of her more standout performances came in 300 Days of Summer, which aired in 2009.She has had successful forays into the music scene. In 2001, she formed a jazz cabaret that went by the name If All Stars Were Pretty Babies. To date, she contributes to vocals and lends her voice to musical scenes in some of her movies.
Jack black
The actor has had a distinguished career, and it is easy to see why:he can act, he can produce, and he can make some of us laugh. Some of has have certainly come across him trying his hand in music, and he is not bad either. If you remember King Kong, Kung Fu Panda and School of Rock, then you must have come across black’s big smile and comedic antics.In 1994, the actor teamed up with Kyle Glass to form the hilarious rock band, Tenacious D.
Juliette Lewis
The Global Awards nominee has been on the Hollywood roller caster for years now, and the output is there for all of us to see. Indeed, movies like Natural born Killers, Kalifornia and The evening star have Lewis’s mark all over them. A great actress, she has consistently looked for roles that fall within her comfort zone. She was a major part of the ensemble that was Juliette and the Licks. In 2009, the elite singer decided to go solo, producing independent music and basically trying to sing songs that highlighted her personality as well as influences.
Jessica Pimentel
You never quite get fully convinced that Orange Is The New Black until you watch Orange Is The New Black. And Pimentel is in that act, just to convince you that orange is the new black, for a good measure. When she is not hitting the bull’s eye with her killer lines on the screen, the actress is busy doing the vocals for Alekine’s Gun, an extreme band based here in the United states. You might not have heard of them in the past, but the band is quite good at what it does. The members see their project as a variation of Thrash or Death metal genres.
Eddie Murphy
Seriously, this guy is still around? Some of them never quit the scene, I suppose. Now, you might have forgotten this hilarious comedian, but he is still very much around. His more notable movies performances came in The Nutty Professor, where he managed to catch the attention of Academy award judges. Murphy is also a singer, and you might be tempted to use that job description in the loosest way, because his biggest hit, ‘Party all the time, came to us way back before we were born. I mean years before you were born. Or maybe not. Years like 1985. He also has, uh, tasty songs such as ‘Boogie in your butt’.
Hilary Duff
The Texan’s entry into the public eye was wary and very well-thought out. Her connections with Disney have helped in this aspect, and that has worked towards the rise of the actress. After making her screen debut in Lizzie Maguire, a titular series that cast her as the main attraction,the die was cast. Hollywood has been kind to her, seeing that she has gone on to carve out a name for herself in the notoriously tough acting industry. She has always been interested in music. So interested that in 2001, she juggled between acting and singing, throwing out her second album, which went by the moniker Metamorphosis. She has collaborated widely with others in the industry and as of today, has sold over 15 million records.
Kevin Costner
Here is another legend who has done everything there is to do in acting. Kevin Michael Costner is actually an Academy, Globe and Emmy awards winner. He was cast as Ray Kinsella in the fields of dreams. His other major appearances come in The Bodyguard and The Postman. One of the most standout elements of Costner’s acting is that it has won him a cult following across the board. He is also a country rock singer, managing a band known as Kevin Costner and Modern West. The actor says that his band is the result of the encouragement he got from his wife, Christine. In 2007, the band went on tour and this move opened avenue for commercial success. The crew has actually performed in places such as Rome and Istanbul.
Michael Cera
The Canadian is only 27 years old but has decided that acting can happen alongside music. He first entered the mainstream fray in Arrested Development and also had roles in Superbad and Youth in Revolt. He started getting reading for music by playing bass and singing the backup inputs for the music scenes in some of his films. Cera is a member of the band, Long Goodbye. Last year, he released his debut album, True That. The compilation boasts 19 original songs as well as a cover.
Billy Bob Thornton
He is perhaps known for starring in the drama, Sling Blade. Over the years, Thornton has always insisted on playing character actor roles .He finds this type of casting very challenging as the character actor has to create a lasting impact even if they are not recognizable in many of the scenes. The actor has always loved the stage, and this love extends to music. As a singer, he has 4 albums and several complications with his team, the Boxmasters. Good thing is, Canadian fans have long forgiven Thornton for saying that ‘Canadian audiences are like mashed potatoes without the gravy’.
Jenny Lewis
The actress was thrust into the acting limelight over 25 years ago, and it seems like she never looked back. She has appeared in over 10 teen movies, executing her roles perfectly. She also has a small role in The New Twilight Zone. Lewis acted as the lead vocalist of the indie band, Rilo Kiley. She now has three albums to her name. Today, she sings and tours under Jenny and Johnny, a two-people band she runs with her boyfriend Jonathan Rice.
Johnny Depp
Depp is either acting or sneaking his beloved dogs into Australia. But he certainly finds time to carry out other activities that benefit us. Pirates of the Caribbean and the sequels that follow would never have been were it not for Depp. He asserts that his best roles are the horribly complicated ones because they challenge him. Aye aye, Captain. Musically, the 52 year-old has collaborated with a series of stars, filling in when someone went down with something or got fired. He has performed in London’s famed 100 Club alongside Alice Cooper.
Andy Samberg
Born 37 years ago in Berkeley ,California, Samberg has had defining roles in movies. One of them came in Hot Rod, and judging by what came for him later, it is fair to say that he has earned his place among the stars. After Hotel Transylvania, he is currently starring in the sitcom, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Samberg likes music, writing and performing when time allows. He says that his biggest influence is Joanna Newsom, who, incidentally, was his long-term girlfriend before she became his wife. He actually met her at one of her many, many concerts.
Drake
For the very few that do not know Drake, he is a Canadian actor, rapper, producer and many other things. He first caught our attention when he acted as Jimmy Brooks in the hit television series, Degrassi. Drake used his newfound fame to launch a music career. He is without a doubt one of the best musicians to come out of Canada. Breaking out was easy for the rapper, but he got his lucky one when L’il Wayne signed him to his (Wayne’s) Young Money label. Drake has a great voice and an impressive portfolio, performing with the likes of Nicki Minaj, L’il Wayne himself and RnB sensation, Rihanna. The Canadian has broken hip-hop records, even unseating Jay-Z for most number one Billboard rap topping songs done by a rapper. Apart from 50 Cent, Drake is the only rapper to simultaneously occupy the three top positions in the Billboard.
Will Smith
It is hard to think about Hollywood without the image of this legend coming up. He started his march to stardom in what seems like ages ago. After debuting in the television series, the Fresh prince of Bel-Air, Smith went on to appear in dozens upon dozens of box office smashes. Smith loves blockbuster movies, something he has always succeeded at. In 2007, a mainstream media publication dubbed him ‘the most powerful actor in Hollywood’. Forbes on the other hand sees the talented actor as the most bankable person around, with 17 of the 21 movies he has starred in grossing over $100 million each. A long time ago, Will Smith was a rapper, and back then, he went by The Fresh Prince (seriously, that was his stage name). Some of his oldest hip hop songs are still doing lethargic rounds . If you like, you can check his ‘getting jiggy with it’ tune. If it still survives, that is.
Steven Seagal
In real life, Steven Seagal is seriously trained and experienced martial arts professional with a 7-th dan belt in Aikido. He has also taught Aikido in Japan. In a nutshell, he is a badass. In movies, Seagal’s character is usually that of a cop/Sheriff bent on upholding the law regardless of the dictates of the present moment. In others, he is a vigilante dishing some badassery and visiting terror upon the bad guys. You might have seen lots of him in Exit Wounds as well as Half Past Dead. More recently, He started in two seasons of the Television police series, True Justice. Seagal likes to see himself as a fine musician, with two albums to prove that. His Mojo Priest compilation was singled out as a major feat, especially for someone who hadn’t had the time to refine his musical skill. Were you wondering what the actor does when not working ‘as an undercover agent for the CIA and the Russians?’ Well, there you have it. You have your answers.
Lucy Hale
Success-amongst other things-seems to follow Ms. Hale wherever she goes. She showed just how much of a star she is by walking to the ultimate prize of the reality project, American Juniors (with four others).However, the star from Memphis, Tennessee really shone in Pretty Little Liars, where she played the role of Aria Montgomery. She has previously stated that as a child, she was always interested in the arts. She therefore took acting and singing classes. While her screen work has been great, she has found some time to squeeze some music edgewise-literally. Hale has in many interviews stated that music is her first and only love. In 2014, her dreams became true in more ways than one when she released her first album, The Road Between. If you like that sort of thing-and I bet you do- you can check out her standout track from that debut album, ‘you sound good to me’.
Donald Glover
Glover started out as a comedian and a comedy writer, but took little time in donning his acting gloves and joining the fray. He eventually landed a role in Community, a popular NBC sitcom. In this particular project, he played the role of Trey Barnes and received some critical acclaim for his prowess. All the time, he never forgot his comedy, practicing when he could and entertaining America in avenues such as Comedy Central. As a musician, Glover goes by the rather catchy stage name, Childish Gambino. Don’t ask me about the second part of the name. I don’t know what it means, but I love it. The rapper was a solo act for years, producing individual mixtapes and albums till 2011, when he chose to sign for Glassnote Records. Under the outfit, he has made two albums and an extended play (EP). He works hard. Let’s just put it like that.
Ariana Grande
A long time ago, Ariana was popular in America. I mean, she still is popular, but hey, did you see that report that put her up there in the list of the most unpopular American celebrities-or celebrity musicians? That statistic is something I find hard to accept. Tough love? Maybe we should ‘love her harder’, as she is quick to remind us in one of her songs. Anyway, the stunning star started out on Broadway, with the musical ’13’ launching her to dizzying heights of public recognition. She later featured prominently in the television series, Victorious, managed and aired by the Nickelodeon network. In 2011, Grande kick-started her music career with a sound track, Music from Victorious. In 2013, she managed to put out her first album, Yours Truly, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Last year, the superstar and fashion icon released her second album, naming it My Everything. She has toured extensively, sometimes alone and sometimes with other musicians in a bid to drum commercial success for last year’s production. Grande is known for her rich vocal range, which has led to comparisons being drawn with RnB greats. Mariah Carey is an artist with the same abilities but more achievements. Ariana is actually seen as the long-term successor to Carey.
Selena Gomez
The 23-year old from Grand Prairie, Texas, has always had that spark in her. She showed her acting abilities in Barney and Friends, a production that was packed with stars and talented debutants. Along the way, she actually convinced the movers of the industry to give her an own show, which later came to be known as the Wizard of the Waverly Place. Musically, she has been all over the park, putting out three albums with Selena Gomez and the Scene before going solo. Her Stars Dance album from last year peaked at number 1.
Miranda Cosgrove
It is safe to say that it’s all in the blood. See, Cosgrove started acting at the age of three, where she would appear on television commercials alongside other talented children. Her big break was to come in School of Rock, where she was depicted as Summer Hathaway. At some point in 2012, she broke a Guinness world record, and no, it was not for Physics. It was for being the best paid child actor. She started out in music a long time ago, playing ballads and writing experimental lines. Her very first album was Sparks Fly, and it debuted at number 8 in the US Billboard.
Jena Malone
As an actress, Jena’s star has always been rising. She has been on the set for as long as anyone can remember, producing spectacular performances in movies such as Sucker Punch, into the Wild and Pride and Prejudice. In between her role, she has been busy looking for even more roles to jack up her portfolio. Her Batman vs. Superman film comes out in 2016.Malone sees herself as an experimental musician, sampling different genres to find her footing. She has produced some tracks under her own name and a raft of others under the name The Shoe. Come on, don’t snort. It is a decent stage name. Or a decent alternative name.
Ryan Gosling
Here is another Disney child star that went on to do very well. For his troubles in the Notebook (2004) romantic drama, he walked away with an MTV award as well as 4 Teen Choice accolades. 2013 was a busy year for this celebrity as he snapped up critical roles in Gangster Squad and The Place Beyond the Pines. Gosling owns an indie rock band with long-term friend, Zack Shields. With an album and many singles under their belts, the members of Dead Man’s Bones are pondering a second run.
David Hasselhoff
Did you know that this chap has set multiple Guinness world records? Disclaimer: they are not all for jetting off to Haiti to save the world. One of them is for being the most watched man on television. From The Young and the Restless to Baywatch Hawaii, he has done it all. Today, he is doing Hoff the Record on UK television. His 80’s album and singles hit European airwaves hard, giving him the top slots in countries such as Germany. His 2015 single is known as True Survivor.
Anna Kendrick
Child stars generally have a short shelf life, but this does not apply to Kendrick. She has consistently made it where peers would fail. If you have checked out End of Watch and Pitch Perfect, then you know what I’m saying. She started upon a fledgling music career when she sang a rendition of Cups.
Russell Crowe
The New Zealand national came to the limelight when he led the cast of Gladiator in 2000, winning an academy award in the process. 2001 was even better, with A Beautiful Mind emphatically solidifying the status of the actor as a superstar in his own right. Crowe has been crooning out some good music, even once belting out a hit known as I want to be like Marlon Brando. He has also been active in the band scene for a long time.
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