Crossover between the music and acting worlds isn’t that uncommon, dating all the way back to the golden age of Hollywood. In more recent years, several stars who rose to fame in music later found their way onto movie screens, and some continue to do both. Lady Gaga, of course, proved she has chops for both worlds when she starred in the fourth remake of “A Star Is Born” (2014) alongside Bradley Cooper in addition to contributing original songs for the film (and winning an Oscar in the process).
Other powerful singers like Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Rihanna have brought their iconic looks to films on the big screen. Queen Latifah, Awkwafina, Ice Cube, Will Smith and more began their celebrity careers in rap.
Here’s a list of singers who became actors and actresses:
Lady Gaga
The Mother Monster can put on a performance both musically and cinematically. Launching her career in music with albums like “The Fame,” “Born This Way” and “Artpop,” the “Joanne” singer eventually branded her songwriting skills with her acting skills, starring alongside Bradley Cooper in “A Star Is Born” (2019). She won an Oscar for Best Original Song for “Shallow,” which she and Cooper duet in the film’s fourth remake. She went on to portray Patrizia Reggiani in Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Sara Gay Forden’s book “House of Gucci,” about the rise and fall of the fashion dynasty. She wrote “Hold My Hand” for “Top Gun: Maverick.” We will next see her in “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the musical sequel to the 2019 film, alongside Joaquin Phoenix.
Rihanna
Rihanna can do everything, from performing pregnant at the Super Bowl or Oscars to creating a successful makeup product line to writing songs. The “Umbrella” and “Disturbia” singer has appeared as Bubble in “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” (2017), Nine Ball in “Ocean’s Eight” (2019) and Kovi Novia in “Guava Island” alongside Donald Glover and Letitia Wright. She also wrote “Lift Me Up” for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022).
Ludacris
The rapper began his music career with hits like “Stand Up” and “Act a Fool” and a feature on Missy Elliott’s “One Minute Man” in the ‘90s and early 2000s. He started acting under his real name Chris Bridges in the early 2000s as well, appearing in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” where he played the stepson of Ice-T’s character. He features in “RocknRolla” (2008) and the later “Fast and Furious” franchise films.
Harry Styles
The “Watermelon Sugar” singer, who began his career as a member of the X Factor boy band One Direction, broke into the film industry with his role of Alex in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk (2017). After putting out his second solo album, “Fine Line,” the musician entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Eros, brother of Thanos, who makes his debut in a post credits scene of Chloe Zhao’s “Eternals” (2021). His latest Grammy-winning album “Harry’s House” came out before he appeared in Olivia Wilde’s “Don’t Worry Darling” and Prime Video’s “My Policeman.”
Whitney Houston
The “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” singer first rose to fame recording music, but she also appeared in movies like “The Bodyguard” (1992) alongside Kevin Costner, “Waiting to Exhale” (1995), “The Preacher’s Wife” (1996), “Cinderella “(1996), “Nora’s Hair Salon” (2004) and “Sparkle” (2021).
Cher
Cher rose to fame in the duo Sonny & Cher in the mid-1960s, and she played a model in “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” before debuting on Broadway in “Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” by Robert Altman. She reprised her role in the 1982 movie version, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. She starred in “Silkwood” (1983) alongside Meryl Streep and Kurt Russell. Her role in Peter Bogdanovich’s “Mask” (1985) won her the Best Actress prize at Cannes, and she went on to appear in “The Witches of Eastwick,” “Moonstruck” and “Mermaids.” She also appeared in “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” (2018).
Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore gained prominence with her pop album “So Real,” which contained hit single “Candy.” She appeared in 2001’s “The Princess Diaries” and 2002’s “A Walk to Remember.” She has played Rebecca Pearson in “This Is Us,” and she released her album “Silver Landings” in 2020.
Lenny Kravitz
Before appearing as Cinna in “The Hunger Games” films and Sean Hawkins in “Shotgun Wedding” (2023), rockstar Lenny Kravitz had hits like “Fly Away” (1998), “Are You Gonna Go My Way” (1993) and his 1999 cover of “American Woman” by Guess Who.
Madonna
Following the release of “Like a Virgin” in 1985, Madonna starred in Susan Seidelman’s “Desperately Seeking Susan.” She won a Best Actress Golden Globe for “Evita” in 1997, and she brought Mae Mordabito to live in Penny Marshall’s “A League of Their Own” (1992). She appeared in “The Next Best Thing” (2000), “Swept Away” (2002) and directed the 2011 film “W.E.”
Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake technically began his acting career on “The Mickey Mouse Club”, but he also appeared in “The Social Network,” “Bad Teacher,” “Friends with Benefits,” “Alpha Dog” and “Inside Llewyn Davis” after his days in ‘N Sync and as a solo artist. He combined the two skills in the “Trolls” films where he voices Branch.
Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah released “All Hail the Queen,” her debut rap album with Tommy Boy Records in 1989. She went on to star in “Chicago,” “Barbershop 2,” “Back in Business,” “Beauty Shop,” “Hairspray” and “Girls Trip” (2017). She has also recently appeared in “Hustle” (2022) alongside Adam Sandler, and she voices Ellie in the “Ice Age” films.
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson made a name for herself on “American Idol,” placing seventh in the third season of the singing contest show. She won an Oscar for playing Effie in “Dreamgirls” (2006) alongside Beyoncé. Aretha Franklin handpicked her to star in the biopic “Respect.”
Ice Cube
Ice Cube began his footsteps to fame as a member of L.A.-based rap group N.W.A. He first appeared as Doughboy in John Singleton’s “Boyz n the Hood” followed by his roles in the “Friday” and “Barbershop” film series. He appeared in “21 Jump Street” (2012) and “22 Jump Street” (2014) as well as “The High Note” (2020).
Ice-T
Ice-T started out as a rapper who signed to Sire Records in the 1980s. His debut album “Rhyme Pays” came out in 1987. He later went on to play a police detective in “New Jack City” as well as a gang leader in “Ricochet.” He has also starred as Odafin Tutuola in “Law & Order” Special Victims Unit” since 2000 on NBC.
Will Smith
The “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star began his rap career with Jeff Townes, going by the duo name of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. Their first single “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” was a hit in 1986. Their debut album “Rock the House” came out in 1987, landing on the Billboard Top 2000. Smith started to act after the NBC sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” took off in 1991, starring for six seasons. He then went on to star in “Bad Boys” (1995), “Independence Day” (1996) and “Men in Black” (1997). He was nominated for Oscars for “Ali” (2001), “The Pursuit of Happiness” (2006), and he recently won one for portraying the father of tennis professionals Venus and Serena Williams in “King Richard” (2021).
Awkwafina
Awkwafina, born Nora Lum, got famous as a rapper before becoming an actress. Her song “My Vag” in 2012 went viral on YouTube, and she released her debut album “Yellow Ranger” in 2014 before going on to star in films like “Ocean’s Eight” (2018), “Crazy Rich Asians” (2019) and “The Farewell” (2019). She will soon return in the second season of “Nora from Queens.”
Beyoncé
The “Renaissance” writer was already famous as a member of Destiny’s Child” when she stared in “Austin Powers in Goldmember” (2002). She appeared in “The Fighting Temptations” (2003) and “The Pink Panther” (2006) before starring in “Dreamgirls.” She has lent her voice to projects like “The Lion King” (2019).
LL Cool J
LL Cool J started out as a rapper with Def Jam in 1984 and went on to release 13 albums and win two Grammy Awards. He appeared in “Wildcats” (1986), in which he made his film debut in “Toys” (1992) alongside Robin Williams. In 1995, LL Cool J starred in his own television sitcom, “In the House.” He had roles in “Halloween H20” (1998) and “Deep Blue Sea” (1999) and Oliver Stone’s “Any Given Sunday.” He has starred on the CBS police procedural “NCIS: Los Angeles” since 2009.
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg got into music with the help of his brother Donnie, who was part of New Kids on the block. Going by Marky Mark, Wahlberg released his first album “Music for the People” with hits like “Good Vibrations” and “Wildside.” He broke into acting in “The Basketball Diaries” (1995), and his role in “Boogie Nights” (1997) carried him into further fame.
Joe Jonas
Oldest Jonas brother Joe is one of the lead vocalists of their band, and he starred in the “Camp Rock” Disney movies. He recently appeared in “Devotion” (2022) and wrote a song for the film with Khalid.
Nick Jonas
Nick also sings for The Jonas Brothers, and he also appeared in the “Camp Rock” films (so did Kevin). Nick has starred in “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (2017). He also appeared in “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” “Careful What You Wish For,” “Last Man Standing,” and “Hawaii Five-0.”
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae got into music after their first EP “Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase) got Sean “Puffy” Combs’ attention. In 2010, Monae released their 2010 debut album “The ArchAndroid.” Their second album “The Electric Lady” came out in 2013, and “Dirty Computer” followed in 2018. Monae appeared in the Oscar-winning film “Moonlight” (2016) and “Hidden Figures” (2016). They also appeared in “Harriet” (2019) and, most recently, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” (2022).
Tim McGraw
Country musician Tim McGraw has had many a radio hit, but he also appeared as Rob McLaughlin in “Flicka” (2006), Dallas in “Four Christmases,” Sean Tuohy in “The Blind Side,” Eddie in “Tomorrowland,” Willie in “The Shack” and most recently James Dutton in “1883,” a spinoff of Taylor Sheridan’s “Yellowstone” series.
Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra, while known as a crooner, also appeared in many films like “From Here to Eternity” (1953), “The Man with the Golden Arm” (1955), “Some Came Running” (1958) and “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962).
Mary J. Blige
The singer has appeared “Mudbound” (2017), “Rock of Ages” (2012) and “Respect” (2021). She voices Queen Essence in “Trolls World Tour,” as well as Rosie in Netflix’s limited series “Lost Ollie.”
Harry Connick Jr.
The singer and later American Idol Judge went on to star in the “Dolphin Tale” movies as Dr. Clay Haskett, “Annie Live!” as Daddy Warbucks and “Fear of Rain” as John Burroughs. He also played Leo Markys on Will & Grace for 25 episodes.
Taylor Swift
The songstress has had no shortage of movie roles since she began her epic music career. Her first appearance was alongside then boyfriend Taylor Lautner in “Valentine’s Day” (2010), and from their she had small roles in “New Girl,” “The Giver,” “Cats” and most recently David O. Russell’s “Amsterdam.” She even has a script lined up to direct for Searchlight Pictures after her directorial turn with “All Too Well: The Short Film.”
