Ever since Barbra Streisand pulled off the most amazing dual talent of singing and acting, every Mandy, Mariah and Bow Wow has tried to be a copycat. There's only one Streisand. Nevertheless, there are notable examples of musicians who have gone on to perform admirably on the big screen. Will Smith is the most accomplished artist/actor since Streisand, but we consider him more of an actor who dabbled in music than the other way around.
She could have been one of the most successful artists in history if not for spending at least half of her career in films. Oh wait, she is anyway. But she spent her time in movies because it was warranted--she has great talent both in front of the camera and behind it.
Several movies later, Frank gave a superb performance in the great movie From Here to Eternity, in which he won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. Sinatra earned another Academy Award nomination for The Man with the Golden Arm. He won a Golden Globe for his role in Pal Joey, earned a Golden Globe nomination for Come Blow Your Horn, and also starred in winners such as The Manchurian Candidate, Guys and Dolls, Ocean's 11, and The Tender Trap, and even made a cameo in the animated Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
Bing's acting career began to pick up steam, as he earned an Academy Award for Best Actor for Going My Way. He reprised his role as Father Chuck O'Malley in Bells of St. Mary's (for which he earned another Academy Award nomination) and earned a Golden Globe nomination for Here Comes the Groom. Bing was also nominated for an Oscar for his role in The Country Girl, and starred in other successful movies such as Stagecoach and That's Entertainment!
This music legend surprised us the most with her acting ability, first in Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress), then her Golden Globe performance with Meryl Streep in Silkwood (also nominated for an Academy Award) and her acclaimed performances in Mask (Golden Globe Award for Best Actress) and Moonstruck (winning both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Actress).
Wahlberg has turned out to be such a successful actor that we forget about Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch. He has credits that now total up to 40 movies. His first acclaimed role was in Boogie Nights in 1997. Wahlberg was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes for his performance in The Departed in 2006, and he was nominated for a Golden Globe in The Fighter. He performed admirably with Russell Crowe in Broken City, and has also starred in movies such as The Perfect Storm, the remake of Planet of the Apes, The Fighter and Departed.
The Queen gave a dazzling performance Chicago (nominated for both Academy and Golden Globe Awards) and also starred in Hairspray, The Bone Collector and Juice. She has starred in 36 movies and another five made for television (including a Golden Globe for Best Actress in Life Support, which she also produced).
Jennifer gave a superb performance in Dreamgirls, winning both an Oscar and a Golden Globe. She also appeared in Sex and the City and The Secret Life of Bees among her twelve films.
The most successful female of the Rock Era, Ross made her acting debut in Lady Sings the Blues, earning both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. She was superb in Mahogany (nominated for a People's Choice Award for Favorite Actress), and also starred in The Wiz.
The accomplished singer who also hosted his own television show and was one-half of the popular Martin & Lewis comedic duo (with Jerry Lewis in movies such as That's My Boy, Scared Stiff and The Caddy), also could play serious roles. Martin was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in Who's That Lady, and also starred in the original version of Ocean's 11, Rio Bravo, The Sons of Katie Elder, and Airport and among his 56 movies.
Timberlake has been another surprise, now with 17 movies to his credit. He was excellent in The Social Network and Friends with Benefits. Justin also appeared in the blockbusters Shrek the Third, Yogi Bear, Bad Teacher and In Time.
The lead singer of Hole was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in The People Vs. Larry Flynt and also starred in Man on the Moon. Love has appeared in 14 movies and 14 documentaries.
The enterprising Ms. Parton has made a name for herself in Hollywood, in addition to Nashville and Dollywood, with Nine to Five, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Rhinestone. Dolly also performed admirably amongst stars such as Julia Roberts, Sally Field and Olympia Dukakis in Steel Magnolias, and also appeared with Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Dangerous.
Lopez is another entertainment mogul, starring in 30 movies to go with being one of The Top Female Artists of the Rock Era*. She starred with Jane Fonda in Monster-In-Law, and gave a solid performance in The Wedding Planner, and also appeared in the movies Shall We Dance ($170 million gross), Maid In Manattan ($154 million), The Cell, Out of Sight, and Anaconda.
The #2 Female Artist of the Rock Era* drew raves for her performance in Evita (which won Golden Globes for Best Movie and for Madonna for Best Actress) and also starred with Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own. She has appeared in 19 movies to date, including the blockbuster Dick Tracy with Warren Beatty, and a cameo appearance in Die Another Day.
33 movies. That tells both the good and the bad of Elvis's film career. Although he was admired for his performances in Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock, and King Creole,overbearing manager Colonel Tom Parker ruined both Presley's movie career and his recording career in one fell swoop by forcing him to concentrate on movies.
Whitney was not stellar in everything, but her performances in The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale and The Preacher's Wife places her on this list. Houston also starred in the television movie Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (in which Whitney was Executive Producer), which was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special. Houston also produced The Princess Diaries.
Although he is one of many who don't deserve to be in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Waits has proven to be a capable actor in the movies The Outsiders and Rumble Fish. His credits include 27 movies, with roles in The Cotton Club, The Two Jakes, The Book of Eli with Denzel Washington, and The Fisher King.
The Crooner and Swooner gave respectable acting performances in Independence Day and Little Man Tate. He also starred with Sandra Bullock in Hope Floats, the remake of South Pacific, and My Dog Skip among his 22 motion picture credits.
The rapper has earned respect with his performances in the Oscar-winning movie Training Day and Starsky & Hutch. The Snoop Man has appeared in 31 movies,12 documentaries and eight animated feature films, and produced five motion pictures, a documentary and a television series.
The great lead singer of Destiny's Child and a highly successful solo star is best in movies that combine music with acting, such as Dreamgirls. She has appeared in eight motion pictures, including The Pink Panther, and has produced two.
Moore has already starred in 22 movies, including a solid performance in American Dreamz, as well as appearing in Tangled and Saved! She has also provided the voice for seven animated movies.
Gone well before her time, Aaliyah gave a solid performance in Romeo Must Die.
And Richards was a bit of a surprise, earning huge royalty checks for his role in the superb Pirates of the Caribbean triology (in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Richards has also produced three documentaries and two shorts.
The four-time Grammy Award winner has also proven himself in Hollywood, starring in The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Butler, among others.
Bon Jovi was another pleasant acting surprise with his role in Pay It Forward. Jon has 13 movie credits in his career, including an appearance in Young Guns II.
Starred notably in The Man Who Fell to Earth, as well as Basquiat, and The Last Temptation of Christ. Bowie has 21 motion picture credits and has appeared in one television movie. David has also produced two movies and one documentary.
The Cubester starred in Boyz n the Hood, as well as Anaconda and surprisingly in Are We There Yet (which he also produced). He has 28 movie credits in his acting career, and has also produced 15 movies and one documentary.
The Top Female Artist of the Rock Era* has also been bitten by the acting bug. Some of her eight performances were forgettable, but she did solid jobs in Precious and The Butler. Mariah has also produced two television documentaries, a television movie, and a short.
Bjork gave a solid performance in Dancer in the Dark. She has appeared in three other movies and one short.
Jackson got her start in acting, starring prominently in the television series Good Times and Diff'rent Strokes before she became known as a recording superstar. starred in The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, as well as Poetic Justice among her five motion pictures.
The rapper starred in a total of seven movies, including Poetic Justice and Juice.
Bow Wow gave a solid performance in Like Mike, and has appeared in 11 motion pictures and three movies made for television.
MJ first appeared with Diana Ross in The Wiz, and also gave sturdy performances in Captain EO and Moonwalker and appeared in Men in Black II. Michael also acted in three shorts and produced one television movie and a documentary.
Ludacris starred in the movie Crash. He has appeared in a total of 14 movies and also produced one film.
The Beatles' movies didn't lead to more substantial acting roles for the four, with the exception of Ringo, who most notably appeared in The Magic Christian. Counting the Beatles' productions, Starr has appeared in 20 movies, 16 documentaries (including The Last Waltz) and 6 shorts, along with two television movies. Ringo also directed Born to Boogie in 1972.
Mr. Loaf first became known to us on the big screen in the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show (although he had appeared in two other films previously), and has also appeared in Roadie, Wayne's World, Spice World, and Angels in the Outfield. Meat Loaf has appeared in 44 motion pictures, two shorts, and two television movies.
Barbra Streisand
She could have been one of the most successful artists in history if not for spending at least half of her career in films. Oh wait, she is anyway. But she spent her time in movies because it was warranted--she has great talent both in front of the camera and behind it.
Barbra gave a hint of that dual talent with her first movie, Funny Girl, in which she gave us the Top 10 song "People" and also managed to tie Katharine Hepburn for Best Actress at the Academy Awards and win a Golden Globe. Streisand is remarkably good in both comedies and drama, making us laugh in What's Up Doc, yet giving an amazing dramatic performance opposite Robert Redford in The Way We Were (nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe). She has given us so many memorable performances, from her Golden Globe Award-winning acting in A Star Is Born to her Golden Globe-nominated Hello, Dolly!, The Owl and the Pussycat, Funny Lady, Yentyl, Nuts, The Prince of Tides, and The Mirror Has Two Faces.
In all, Streisand won one Academy Award and was nominated for another for Best Actress, and she won two Golden Globes and was nominated for eight more. Plus, Barbra earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director for The Prince of Tides. Amazing.
Frank Sinatra
Sinatra was also a great multi-talented performer. Besides being "The Chairman of the Board" as one of the most successful recording artists of all-time, Sinatra could act. He landed a coup starring in Anchors Aweigh, which was nominated for Best Picture in 1945.
Several movies later, Frank gave a superb performance in the great movie From Here to Eternity, in which he won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. Sinatra earned another Academy Award nomination for The Man with the Golden Arm. He won a Golden Globe for his role in Pal Joey, earned a Golden Globe nomination for Come Blow Your Horn, and also starred in winners such as The Manchurian Candidate, Guys and Dolls, Ocean's 11, and The Tender Trap, and even made a cameo in the animated Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
Sinatra also starred in, directed, and produced None But the Brave, and produced six other movies, including A Hole in the Head, Robin and the 7 Hoods, and The First Deadly Sin.
Bing Crosby
Possessing one of the great baritone voices the world has ever known, Bing also found time to star in 86 movies. He starred as himself in many of his early movies, then moved on to the "Road To" movie series with comedian Bob Hope. This led to a starring role in Holiday Inn, in which we were also introduced to one of the top-selling singles of all-time ("White Christmas").
Bing's acting career began to pick up steam, as he earned an Academy Award for Best Actor for Going My Way. He reprised his role as Father Chuck O'Malley in Bells of St. Mary's (for which he earned another Academy Award nomination) and earned a Golden Globe nomination for Here Comes the Groom. Bing was also nominated for an Oscar for his role in The Country Girl, and starred in other successful movies such as Stagecoach and That's Entertainment!
Cher
This music legend surprised us the most with her acting ability, first in Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress), then her Golden Globe performance with Meryl Streep in Silkwood (also nominated for an Academy Award) and her acclaimed performances in Mask (Golden Globe Award for Best Actress) and Moonstruck (winning both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Actress).
Cher has appeared in a total of 13 movies, including two cameos. She also starred with Jack Nicholson and Susan Sarandon in The Witches of Eastwick, Tea with Mussolini and the acclaimed television movie If These Walls Could Talk.
Mark Wahlberg
Wahlberg has turned out to be such a successful actor that we forget about Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch. He has credits that now total up to 40 movies. His first acclaimed role was in Boogie Nights in 1997. Wahlberg was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes for his performance in The Departed in 2006, and he was nominated for a Golden Globe in The Fighter. He performed admirably with Russell Crowe in Broken City, and has also starred in movies such as The Perfect Storm, the remake of Planet of the Apes, The Fighter and Departed.
Wahlberg is also credited as a producer in eleven movies or television series (including The Fighter above). The television series Boardwalk Empire won the Golden Globe for Best Television Series-Drama, and was nominated for Golden Globes and Primetime Emmys in 2011 and 2012.
Queen Latifah
The Queen gave a dazzling performance Chicago (nominated for both Academy and Golden Globe Awards) and also starred in Hairspray, The Bone Collector and Juice. She has starred in 36 movies and another five made for television (including a Golden Globe for Best Actress in Life Support, which she also produced).
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer gave a superb performance in Dreamgirls, winning both an Oscar and a Golden Globe. She also appeared in Sex and the City and The Secret Life of Bees among her twelve films.
Diana Ross
The most successful female of the Rock Era, Ross made her acting debut in Lady Sings the Blues, earning both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. She was superb in Mahogany (nominated for a People's Choice Award for Favorite Actress), and also starred in The Wiz.
Dean Martin
The accomplished singer who also hosted his own television show and was one-half of the popular Martin & Lewis comedic duo (with Jerry Lewis in movies such as That's My Boy, Scared Stiff and The Caddy), also could play serious roles. Martin was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in Who's That Lady, and also starred in the original version of Ocean's 11, Rio Bravo, The Sons of Katie Elder, and Airport and among his 56 movies.
Justin Timberlake
Timberlake has been another surprise, now with 17 movies to his credit. He was excellent in The Social Network and Friends with Benefits. Justin also appeared in the blockbusters Shrek the Third, Yogi Bear, Bad Teacher and In Time.
Courtney Love
The lead singer of Hole was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in The People Vs. Larry Flynt and also starred in Man on the Moon. Love has appeared in 14 movies and 14 documentaries.
Dolly Parton
The enterprising Ms. Parton has made a name for herself in Hollywood, in addition to Nashville and Dollywood, with Nine to Five, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Rhinestone. Dolly also performed admirably amongst stars such as Julia Roberts, Sally Field and Olympia Dukakis in Steel Magnolias, and also appeared with Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Dangerous.
Jennifer Lopez
Lopez is another entertainment mogul, starring in 30 movies to go with being one of The Top Female Artists of the Rock Era*. She starred with Jane Fonda in Monster-In-Law, and gave a solid performance in The Wedding Planner, and also appeared in the movies Shall We Dance ($170 million gross), Maid In Manattan ($154 million), The Cell, Out of Sight, and Anaconda.
Madonna
The #2 Female Artist of the Rock Era* drew raves for her performance in Evita (which won Golden Globes for Best Movie and for Madonna for Best Actress) and also starred with Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own. She has appeared in 19 movies to date, including the blockbuster Dick Tracy with Warren Beatty, and a cameo appearance in Die Another Day.
Madonna has also produced five motion pictures, four documentaries and a television movie and directed two movies.
Elvis Presley
33 movies. That tells both the good and the bad of Elvis's film career. Although he was admired for his performances in Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock, and King Creole,overbearing manager Colonel Tom Parker ruined both Presley's movie career and his recording career in one fell swoop by forcing him to concentrate on movies.
Other notable Presley movies are Girls! Girls! Girls! (nominated for a Golden Globe Award), Viva Las Vegas (with Ann-Margret), Blue Hawai'i with Angela Lansbury, and Roustabout with Barbra Stanwyck.
Whitney Houston
Whitney was not stellar in everything, but her performances in The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale and The Preacher's Wife places her on this list. Houston also starred in the television movie Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (in which Whitney was Executive Producer), which was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special. Houston also produced The Princess Diaries.
Tom Waits
Although he is one of many who don't deserve to be in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Waits has proven to be a capable actor in the movies The Outsiders and Rumble Fish. His credits include 27 movies, with roles in The Cotton Club, The Two Jakes, The Book of Eli with Denzel Washington, and The Fisher King.
Harry Connick, Jr.
The Crooner and Swooner gave respectable acting performances in Independence Day and Little Man Tate. He also starred with Sandra Bullock in Hope Floats, the remake of South Pacific, and My Dog Skip among his 22 motion picture credits.
Snoop Dogg
The rapper has earned respect with his performances in the Oscar-winning movie Training Day and Starsky & Hutch. The Snoop Man has appeared in 31 movies,12 documentaries and eight animated feature films, and produced five motion pictures, a documentary and a television series.
Beyoncé
The great lead singer of Destiny's Child and a highly successful solo star is best in movies that combine music with acting, such as Dreamgirls. She has appeared in eight motion pictures, including The Pink Panther, and has produced two.
Mandy Moore
Moore has already starred in 22 movies, including a solid performance in American Dreamz, as well as appearing in Tangled and Saved! She has also provided the voice for seven animated movies.
Aaliyah
Gone well before her time, Aaliyah gave a solid performance in Romeo Must Die.
Keith Richards
And Richards was a bit of a surprise, earning huge royalty checks for his role in the superb Pirates of the Caribbean triology (in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Richards has also produced three documentaries and two shorts.
Lenny Kravitz
The four-time Grammy Award winner has also proven himself in Hollywood, starring in The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Butler, among others.
Jon Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi was another pleasant acting surprise with his role in Pay It Forward. Jon has 13 movie credits in his career, including an appearance in Young Guns II.
David Bowie
Starred notably in The Man Who Fell to Earth, as well as Basquiat, and The Last Temptation of Christ. Bowie has 21 motion picture credits and has appeared in one television movie. David has also produced two movies and one documentary.
Ice Cube
The Cubester starred in Boyz n the Hood, as well as Anaconda and surprisingly in Are We There Yet (which he also produced). He has 28 movie credits in his acting career, and has also produced 15 movies and one documentary.
Mariah Carey
The Top Female Artist of the Rock Era* has also been bitten by the acting bug. Some of her eight performances were forgettable, but she did solid jobs in Precious and The Butler. Mariah has also produced two television documentaries, a television movie, and a short.
Bjork
Bjork gave a solid performance in Dancer in the Dark. She has appeared in three other movies and one short.
Janet Jackson
Jackson got her start in acting, starring prominently in the television series Good Times and Diff'rent Strokes before she became known as a recording superstar. starred in The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, as well as Poetic Justice among her five motion pictures.
Tupac Shakur
The rapper starred in a total of seven movies, including Poetic Justice and Juice.
Bow Wow
Bow Wow gave a solid performance in Like Mike, and has appeared in 11 motion pictures and three movies made for television.
Michael Jackson
MJ first appeared with Diana Ross in The Wiz, and also gave sturdy performances in Captain EO and Moonwalker and appeared in Men in Black II. Michael also acted in three shorts and produced one television movie and a documentary.
Ludacris
Ludacris starred in the movie Crash. He has appeared in a total of 14 movies and also produced one film.
Ringo Starr
The Beatles' movies didn't lead to more substantial acting roles for the four, with the exception of Ringo, who most notably appeared in The Magic Christian. Counting the Beatles' productions, Starr has appeared in 20 movies, 16 documentaries (including The Last Waltz) and 6 shorts, along with two television movies. Ringo also directed Born to Boogie in 1972.
Meat Loaf
Mr. Loaf first became known to us on the big screen in the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show (although he had appeared in two other films previously), and has also appeared in Roadie, Wayne's World, Spice World, and Angels in the Outfield. Meat Loaf has appeared in 44 motion pictures, two shorts, and two television movies.
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