Sep 29 2008
10 Awesome Acting Performances By Famous Music Stars
Just the other day I watched the movie Slingblade. First of all, it was a fantastic movie. Second of all, do you realize how good Dwight Yoakam was in that? I mean think about how you much you absolutely must have hated that character. Well if you’re a normal person you did. And that hatred tells me how good his performance was.
And that got me thinking. What other famous music stars did great acting jobs in movies? And I’m not talking bit parts here. I’m talking real deal acting.
Here are 10 performances that I thought were worthy of a mention.
Cher in Moonstruck
This is the obvious choice as Cher won an Oscar for playing Loretta Castorini in this great romantic comedy. Who could forget the most memorable line of the movie “Snap out of it!” She was also great in Mask.
Dwight Yoakam in Slingblade
I’ve never hated a character more than Dwight Yoakam’s drunk, pathetic, evil character Doyle in Slingblade. I personally think this is one of, if not best performances of a first time actor. He was truly awesome as a prick boyfriend/potential stepdad.
Justin Timberlake in Alpha Dog
You gotta hand it to the multi-talented Timberlake for his skills. Not only can the guy sing, dance, and have his own clothing line. The guy can definitely act. His skills were on display in Alpha Dog as Frankie Ballenbacher. The scene where they are about to shoot the kid? He was awesome.
Puff Daddy in Monster’s Ball
Oh excuse me, Sean Combs. I personally thought his portayal as convicted murderer Lawrence Hargrove was excellent. He wasn’t in the movie for that many minutes but you definitely felt his fear as he is facing execution.
Ice Cube in Boyz in the Hood
“Either they don’t know, don’t show, or don’t care about what’s going on in the hood.” Enough said. Ice Cube was the man in this classic.
Mos Def in Something the Lord Made
I think Mos Def could easily just be an actor instead of rapper/musician and have an extremely successful career. If anyone ever saw the made for HBO movie Something the Lord Made they’ll know what I’m talking about. His portrayal as medical technician Vivien Thomas was spot on.
Tim McGraw in Friday Night Lights
McGraw nailed his role as the abusive drunk father Charles Billingsley who clinged to his football past in Friday Night Lights. Man that scene when he walked in on his kid messing around with his girlfriend? Crazy when he puts the tape on him. Great stuff. You barely know it’s Tim McGraw.
Eminem in 8 Mile
You have to admit, 8 Mile was definitely a good movie. I loved Kim Basinger as the mom and who can forget the sex scene in the factory? But in all honesty I think that for what the movie was, Eminem made the most of that role. Job well done.
Ludacris in Hustle and Flow or Crash
Interesting in that both movies he’s with Terrence Howard. Obviously they must work pretty well together. I particularly liked him as rapper Skinny Black in Hustle and Flow. He played the drunk part to a T.
David Bowie in The Prestige
It actually took me some time to realize that Bowie was the guy playing electronic genius Tesla in The Prestige. He had a great accent and you definitely caught his eerie vibe. You could also vote for his performance in Labyrinth. He was a solid villain. Overall I think Bowie is a very good actor.
Honorable Mention:
Meatloaf in Fight Club - nothing amazing but definitely worth a mention.
Mark Wahlberg in Fear - put it this way, he was still Marky Mark at this time. Fear put him on the map as an actor.
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Sting in Dune.
mcgraw was terrible in friday night lights
bowie was better in labyrinth
Gavin Rossdale in Constantine
How about David Bowie in The Man Who Fell To Earth?
8 Mile sucked and Eminem sucked in it. Horrible movie, horrible acting.
2nd Sting in Dune… awe-some.
d.
i think meatloaf in fight club should be elevated. not to mention he was in freaking rocky horror.
Let me throw this one out there…
Prince or Morris Day in Purple Rain?
Is it me or did Bowie look like Pierce Brosnan in that movie…
How about Frank Sinatra? I don’t know to much about old black and whites but he was in a ton of them and I believe he might have one an oscar.
oh, c’mon…
Nobody mentions Bjork in “dancing in the dark”….? That’s an awesome performance…
ummm what about Tom Waits in Bram Stoker’s Dracula?
i was shocked that wasn’t on here. and Ludacris in crash? seriously?
[…] (more…) […]
I was really impressed with Jack White in “Cold Mountain”
I have have always been a big fan of the White Stripes and it was amazing to me that a guy from such a strange cult band could make it into main stream cinema! (But i guess they are massive now.)
From what I can guess they chose him for the part because he could bring a lot of integrity and knowledge to the music. He has a library in his mind when it come to recording techniques and old music.
He acting was also quite good.
Although I was not happy with the movie; taking me through three hours of war only to end in tragedy!
Why!!!
Ben
uh..jered leto in requiem for a dream?
Hey! How about David Bowie in Labyrinth?!?!?!?!?!
I would vote for Roger Daltry in Tommy. Amazing performance
I can’t believe I didn’t notice that it was David Bowie. I see it now, but, it just never occurred to me while watching o.o I wasnt a fan of 8 Mile either, and Eminem was essentially playing himself in every way….so no real showmanship of his acting chops. But that’s me, it just wasn’t my kind of film. And as for Jared Leto in Requiem, I preferred him in American Psycho =]
“Hey Paul!”
Madonna in DickTracey
What about David Bowie in The Last Temptation of Christ where he played Pontious Pilot?
…. or Pontius Pilate when I spell properly.
How about Courtney Love in ‘The People Vs Larry Flynt’. I also agree with Daniel’s post about Bjork in ‘Dancer in the Dark’.
What about will smith? he was a rapper to begin with after all, and still does some music…
Jared Leto isn’t a musician who acts, he’s an actor who does music. BIG difference.
He started out acting. His musical career only started after the movies you guys are mentioning. Definitely after “My So Called Life”.
and he wasn’t good in those movies… RFAD sucked (most depressing ending for a depressing movie ever), and Fight Club he was hardly in and barely spoke.
[…] 10 Awesome Acting Performances By Music Stars. [Uncoached] […]
I am sorry, but Timberlake was awful in Alpha Dog, he just ruined the movie saying ‘dawg’ all the time, he just looked uncomoftable the whole time.
A bit like Christian Bale in street kings, even though he is one of my favorite actors, that role just didn’t suit him and he couldn’t pull off when he had to be ‘one of the dawgs’ and all that crap.
That was David Bowie? no waaaay
How about Mark Walburg (sp?) AKA “Marky Mark” (sp,again)
Let’s not forget Tina Turner in “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome”. She definitely helped make that movie. (I don’t count her performance in Tommy, as that was intentionally a rock film to start.)
How about Harry Connick Jr in Copycat? I thought he had a great performance
What about Keith Richards in Pirates 3? Sure it was a corny movie, and he didn’t have a lot of lines, but I think Keef would make a great pirate even without makeup and costumes.
Good list….You could have made a lot more friends if you would have made this a top 20….
Mos Def was awesome in Something the Lord Made, excellent call maybe a top 3 performance (for the list).
I agree that Tom Waits should be on here….
What about David Johansen (aka Buster Poindexter) in Scrooged? Or Screamin’ Jay Hawkins in Mystery Train?
Man Who Fell to Earth.
Man Who Fell to Earth.
Man Who Fell to Earth.
Man Who Fell to Earth.
Man Who Fell to Earth.
Bowie was good in that too…
How about Steve Vai as Jack Butler in Crossroads?? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CAJtu2nHLw&feature=related
Wow terrible performance by almost all. Not sure what you consider good acting but most of this was terrible. Terrible list, pretty much the musicians this douche listens to.
Dave Matthews in House.
Sinatra in the original Manchurian Candidate is hard to beat.
Also, Bowie does a pretty great Andy Warhol in Basquiat.
Ed Kowalczyk has a great cameo as a waiter in Fight Club.
Ringo in “The Magic Christian”.
How about music performances by acting stars?
Val Kilmer in The Doors. Fantastic IMO.
Back on subject:
Gregg Allman in “Rush” (not exactly awesome but, cool to see him anyways)
Mick Jagger in “Performance”
Courtney Love in “People VS Larry Flynt”
Come on now. The guys from Spandau Ballet in The Crays. Now that was great.
Duh…Bette Midler in “The Rose”…INCREDIBLE performance!!
Im amazed at how many people bring up Jared Leto. Look up My So Called Life. Great series from 1994, Jared Leto was an actor way before being a crappy musician.
For my money? Tom Waits in ‘Down By Law.’
Ronee Blakley in ‘Nashville’ ….awesome.
J Lo…… In Selena, Money Train, The one with clooney and hes a prison escape and that last boring one with robert redford
DUDE! I love the idea of this list, but really you missed the best performance of a musician in any movie hands down:
Dexter Gordon in ‘Round Midnight.
I also agree that Tom Waits and Bjork are glaring omissions.
tom petty in costner’s “The Postman”
No, I DON’T have to admit 8 Mile was an awesome movie - because it was only “okay” at best. Better word choice needed there.
Oooor…. Sting on Lock and Stock and two Smoking Barrels
Art Garfunkel in “Bad Timing”
David Bowie in “The Man Who Fell to Earth”
Mick Jagger in “Performance”
Incidentally, they’re all Nic Roeg films.
yo the rza in american gangster, hes fuckin sick in it
Roger Daltrey in McVicar
Mick Jager in Ned Kelly
Both brilliant, and I will not mention the Phil Collins in Buster cause that hurts to much to recall
This list should have had multiple appearances by Mos Def rather than any appearances by Eminem and Ice Cube.
I played Pontius Pilate in the seventh grade in the Passion Play. There weren’t enough boys in the class for all the male roles and Mr. Meyer said he thought I was mature and talented enough to handle the responsibility of the part.
I wash my hands.
jack white in cold mountain.
Don’t forget Tupac Shakur in “Juiced” alongside Omar Epps.
Huh? what happend to DMX in Exit wounds ?
That should be way up, no doubt that Will smith is so good,
people forget he can sing.
Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues
My Top five:
Bowie in “Labyrinth”
Bon Jovi in “Pay it Forward”
Tom Waits in “Mystery Men”
Snoop Dogg in “Soul Plane”
Vanilla Ice in “Cool as Ice”
As horrible as it was, Mos Def was better in “Hitchhikers Guide” and what about him with Bruce Willis in “16 Blocks”?
Is there anybody out there over twenty.What about the old greats like Sinatra in From here to Eternity and Von Ryans Express and Sachmo and Crosby in High Society.
keith richards for pirates
tom waits in general definitely for ‘down by law’
jack black for high fidelity in particular (though he could be considered actor turned musician)
sinatra for manchurian canidate
Didn’t Mos Def go to school for acting before dropping out to rap? So he was planning on being an actor before someone told him he was dope and he focused on music.
Good list but they missed Mark Wahlberg’s performances in either Departed or Boogie Nights.
Jennifer Hudson won an Oscar for her first movie performance ever after losing in American Idol. Why is she not the first name on people’s lips?
Pierce Brosnan wishes he was as hot as Bowie.
Mos Def was an actor who went into rapping. He was in a few movies and shoes before he starting professionally making music. He was on the Cosby Mysteries, a hilariously horrible show.
Jon Bon Jovi(i know)
U-571
You know you loved it…
And how about Dean Martin in Toys in the Attic? Or Bing Crosby in Bells of Saint Mary? Where is the mention of Mario Lanza? Or Elvis even! Then too there’s Frankie.
Wowzers!
Courtney Love in “People v. Larry Flynt”
That would be my #1. She was amaaaazing, almost too perfect.
Justin Timberlake is one of the worst actors of all time. Black Snake Moan would have been one of the best films ever produced if he didn’t ruin it. The fact that you have him in Alpha Dog on this list removes all credibility. No more lists from you. The only think I remember about that movie is when they talk about who took a shit in the iddle of the floor for 15 minutes. It is a terrible movie that was perfect for timberlake’s terrible acting. i simply cannot believe you have him on this list. you must be girl or something. maybe gay.
It’s only one scene, but Donnie Wahlberg was downright chilling in the Sixth Sense.
willie nelson…red-headed stranger…honeysuckle rose?
Marc Anthony in Man on Fire.
I forgot all about DJ Marky Mark! I don’t really like him much, although he was good in the departed.
[…] Acting Performances By Famous Music Stars. No mention of Will Smith in Wild Wild West though. (link) — Dresden Dolls are no more. (link) — Smoking a joint made of Kurt Cobains ashes = […]
Both James Taylor and Dennis Wilson in ‘Two Lane Blacktop’!
marc antony in bringing out the dead.
Has anyone mentioned Whitney Houston in “The Body Guard” ?
Joan Jett in Light of Day!
[…] commenters who decided to add a piece of info that struck a chord in me. In Tuesday’s “Acting Performances by Singers” article someone mentioned Val Kilmer’s performance in The Doors as the complete […]
thumbs down for timberlake being on the list
Tupac was good in quite a few movies, but none as good as him and Tim Roth in Gridlock’d. They play 2 heroin junkies, trying to kick but they can’t get into rehab because of the medical and insurance red tape and beuracracy that goes with it. VERY good flick.
did you just imdb a bunch of “Famous Music Stars” have a monkey watch the movies for you. Or do you just like bad movies enough to blog about it while masturbating
All of the above Talon. You’re a real badass.
you all are fuckers!!! iggy was the best in the “dead man”
Uhm HELLO SPICE GIRLS IN SPICE WORLD.
Geeze.
(PS: good lord I am kidding.)
timberlake blows
christian bale is def not in street kings
2pac in Juice
Jill Scott in Why did I get married?
Janet Jackson in Poetic Justice
Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness
Ice T in New Jack City
LL Cool J in In Too Deep
Aaliyah in Romeo Must Die
Bow Wow in Roll Bounce
Dr. Dre/ Macy Gray in Training Day
What about Vanilla Ice in COOL AS ICE? He played a white rapper with street knowledge. “You Kat, word to the wise, drop the zero and get wit’ the hero!”
Well, good thing you’re not a critic. I don’t think any of the actors you listed was even nominated for an Oscar.
Marilyn Manson in Party Monster, Lost Highway and Jawbreaker
Mos Def also played Ford Prefect in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy movie. He was AWESOME.
and i know of 2 movies where Ice Cube was terrible. Disney’s “Are We There Yet?” and “Are We Done Yet?”
*facepalm*
George Strait - Pure Country
John Mellencamp - Falling From Grace
Henry Rollins - The Chase
Mandy Moore - A Walk To Remember
Joan Jett - Light of Day
James Taylor & Dennis Wilson - Two Lane Blacktop
Sting was also in a great thriller called - Brimstone and Treacle.
Check it out!!
Ice Cube was brilliant in Boyz In Da Hood…Poor article
I agree with Pinhead. Leto isn’t a musician more than an actor, he’s definitely the latter. The fact is, Leto has been voted the most attractive human being on the planet, been in so many cult films, and has a very successful band. He’s just ridiculously talented.
And by the way, some truly awful choices and wayward opinions. You should really refine your opinions on what films/actors are decent! Next you’ll be saying Catwoman, Disaster Movie and similar films were just great! You may as well love Gigli for all it’s worth.
Get a grip.
queen latifa (sp?)…. she started out as a singer
nice bit of information!! Some of the movies were good other not so much but the musicians did well enough. thumbs up on su!!
Dwight Yoakam ~ ‘Sling Blade’, ‘Banditas’- Could easily have started in movies
Ice Cube ~ ‘Boyz’, ‘Fridays’, etc.,- What can I say? F’n AWSOME!
Bowie ~ Anything he touches turns to gold!
Mark Walberg ~ ‘Basketball Diaries’, ‘Perfect Storm’, ‘4 Bro’s’, etc.,- Should have gone for acting first. I love this guy!
SNOOP ~ ‘Training day’- Short part but F’N KILLER!
Ludacris ~ I think this man could do ANYthing given the chance.
Timberlake ~ I seriously believed it. Potential
Tim McGraw ~ ‘Friday Night Lights’- Love to hate this character; T.M. can ACT!
Tom Petty ~ ‘The Postman’- GREAT!, I’d love to see him in more flix.
Anthony Kiedes ~ ‘Point Break’- Not the greatest but F’N funny!
Flea ~ ‘Big Lebowski’- Funny and could be just a good actor.
Henry Rollins ~ ‘Heat’, (and so many other things), Pretty damn good for such short rolls.
RZA ~ Derailed’- Kick ass as ‘Winston’
Zack Wylde ~ ‘Rock Star’- Pretty damn good!
Heres a bit of a twist for ya; How about an actor singing ~ Tim Curry as ‘Sweet Transvestite’ in ‘TRHPS’- His voice is AMAZING in this!
[…] What music stars did great acting jobs in movies? And I’m not talking bit parts here. I’m talking real deal acting. Here are 10 worth watching. […]
[…] What music stars did great acting jobs in movies? And I’m not talking bit parts here. I’m talking real deal acting. Here are 10 worth watching. […]
Bowie in Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
[…] 10 Awesome Acting Performances By Famous Music Stars […]
Seriously? Justin Timberlake, Puff Daddy, Tim McGraw, Eminem? Terrible List. I agree with whoever said Bowie was better in Labrinyth. Bowie fucking rocked that movie.
I think its funny when people try to pick apart bad acting … frequently I think they are 13 year old boys … or have a mind of one. Typically these people lack imagination or experience … sometimes both. Often they just say, ‘the acting sucked’ … or whatever. Well with Eminem, he did pretty much play himself, maybe if he gets another part, not playing himself, he’ll show us his real talent? I wouldn’t call what he did bad, but it does take some talent.
Requiem for a Dream was good … and probably very realistic, which is why is was kind of depressing at the end, but that does not make it a bad movie in any way. When all movies are happy, that would really be depressing!
People are not often able to separate the person (actors or musican’s) image from the roll they are playing … which is odd. I would wager if the star (music star, hollywood star… etc…) were unknown to the public, that said rolls may get more praise. And sometimes the roll is about what you don’t say.
Bowie in The Prestige was killer … though it was a small part, it was well done.
Tricky in Fifth Element