Skip to playerSkip to main content
  • 7 hours ago
Some musicians are so naturally talented, they can conquer Hollywood too! Join us as we count down our picks for the singers and rappers who proved their talents extend far beyond the stage and studio! Our countdown includes David Bowie, Jennifer Hudson, Björk, and more! Which musician-turned-actor surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
Transcript
00:00Dance, magic, dance!
00:01Dance, magic, dance!
00:03Dance, magic, dance!
00:05Dance, magic, dance!
00:06Welcome to WatchMojo!
00:09And today, we're counting down our picks
00:11for the musicians who proved that they
00:13not only have an ear for music,
00:14but also acting.
00:16Oh, I haven't read it yet,
00:18but it is a great honor to grace the cover of such a
00:20prestigious magazine.
00:22Number 10.
00:24Tyler the Creator
00:25Born Tyler Gregory Okonma,
00:28rapper Tyler the Creator
00:29has achieved huge success and acclaim
00:31in the world of music.
00:32Stop playing with me
00:35Stop playing with me
00:37In 2025,
00:40the Grammy Award winning artist extended
00:41his talents to the big screen,
00:43making his feature film debut in
00:45Josh Safdie's ping pong dramedy
00:47Marty Supreme.
00:48Tyler stars as Wally, a taxi
00:51driver and friend of the title character
00:53played by Timothee Chalamet.
01:00Although he's only in the film for a few scenes,
01:04he acts with the skill of a seasoned actor,
01:06fulfilling commitment to the tension-laced
01:08and action-packed beats.
01:10Here's to hoping this isn't
01:11the last time we see Tyler,
01:13the actor, in film.
01:259. Harry Styles
01:27When he's not selling out arenas across the globe,
01:30Harry Styles is expanding his filmography.
01:38The former One Direction member turned solo musician
01:41has proved to fans that he's
01:42not a one-trick pony, thanks to his roles
01:45in films like Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk.
01:47A cowardly, little cue-jumping frog.
01:50Who's Gibson, eh?
01:52It's a naked dead Englishman line out of that sand.
01:54Although some of his cinematic projects
01:57have turned out more successful than others,
01:59Styles has shown immense growth as an actor.
02:02Take, for instance, his part in Don't Worry Darling.
02:05Still, the As It Was singer remains primarily focused
02:09on his music career and touring.
02:11Stop it!
02:14I'm part of something important, Alice.
02:178. Mary J. Blige
02:20At the 2018 Academy Awards,
02:28Mary J. Blige made history,
02:29becoming the first black woman to be nominated
02:32in more than one category during the same year.
02:35Recognized for her participation in the film, Mudbound,
02:38she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress
02:40and Best Original Song.
02:42You back with us now. Safe and sound.
02:45A fusion of her two crafts,
02:47it was a defining moment for the legendary performer.
02:49Since then, she has earned roles on series
02:52such as The Umbrella Academy
02:53and movies like Respect.
02:55Truth be told, Blige's talent is exceptional,
02:58in any format.
03:00You wanna take me on?
03:02No.
03:02Liar.
03:03You wouldn't be here if you wasn't trying to replace me
03:05and every other bitch out here singing.
03:07Number 7.
03:08Dally Parton
03:09Dally Parton is one of the most beloved artists of all time.
03:13From her signature twang to her affecting lyrics,
03:16her music is iconic.
03:18So it's not a huge shock that her infectious spirit would translate into acting.
03:23In 1980, she made her cinematic debut as Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5.
03:29I'd just like to apologize to you.
03:30Oh, don't you worry about it, Mr. Hart.
03:32I've been chased by swifter men than you and I ain't been caught yet.
03:36From that point on, she became one of Hollywood's new favorite actresses.
03:40From the musical comedy The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas to Steel Magnolias,
03:44the 80s cinema was blessed with some great performances from Parton.
03:48There is no such thing as natural beauty.
03:51You remember that or we're all out of a job.
03:54Well, just look at me now.
03:55It takes some effort to look like this.
03:57Although she slowed down her acting career in recent years,
04:00she still makes appearances in cameos from time to time,
04:03which is always a welcomed surprise.
04:06Of course, I haven't had a promotion in 250 years, but the benefits are heaven.
04:146. Common
04:16In the 90s, Chicago-born rapper Common became known on the music scene.
04:21Over the course of the decade, he released three albums,
04:24cementing himself as one of the hardest-working musicians around.
04:31In 2002, he ventured into new territory, acting.
04:36After appearing as himself in the rom-com Brown Sugar,
04:39the artist whose birth name is Lonnie Rashid Lin
04:42started racking up acting credits.
04:49Whether he's playing the romantic lead in movies like Just Right
04:53or a ruthless assassin in action flicks like John Wick Chapter 2,
04:57Common has proven he can act in any genre.
05:085. Janelle Monáe
05:10Long before Janelle Monáe became an award-winning singer,
05:14she had aspirations to be an actress.
05:16That's just the way you make me feel.
05:19That's just the way you make me feel.
05:20With a goal to pursue musical theatre, she eventually pivoted to the recording arts.
05:25Her first album, The Arch Android, was released in 2010,
05:29and a few years later, she returned to her love of acting.
05:33After doing voice work for Rio 2,
05:35Monáe made her memorable live-action debut in the Academy Award-winning Best Picture, Moonlight.
05:40Stop putting your head down in my house.
05:42You know my rule.
05:44It's all love and all pride in this house.
05:46She followed it up by playing real-life engineer Mary Jackson
05:49in another Oscar-nominated film, Hidden Figures.
05:53A naturally gifted performer, Janelle Monáe's acting is golden.
05:58If you were a white man, would you wish to be an engineer?
06:02I wouldn't have to. I'd already be one.
06:064. Tim McGraw
06:08After becoming one of the biggest names in country music, Tim McGraw took up a new role, actor.
06:14He made a small appearance on The Jeff Foxworthy Show back in the late 90s,
06:18and since then, he's become quite the thespian.
06:21Friday Night Lights, Four Christmases, The Blind Side, and Country Strong
06:25are just some of the many titles he's acted in.
06:27Look, Cal, you're the toughest girl I know, so you tell me you're not ready, well then I'll take that
06:32at face value.
06:33In 2021, the singer was cast in his biggest acting challenge to date in 1883,
06:38a prequel miniseries to the television phenomenon, Yellowstone.
06:43Starring as James Dillard Dutton, McGraw acted opposite his wife Faith Hill, proving that acting runs in his family.
06:50I'm not sure there's justice in it.
06:55I believe in you, and I believe in that boy, and I believe in our daughter. That's all.
07:003. Björk
07:02Known for avant-garde artistry, Icelandic musician Björk's musical stylings are boundless.
07:08Her memorable voice and experimental projects keep us coming back for more.
07:18Outside of music, she has also pursued acting, most notably in her star-turning performance in the bleak musical Dancer
07:25in the Dark.
07:26It's not as bad as it sounds. It's a family thing.
07:34The film and Björk made a splash at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival, where the singer took home the coveted
07:40Best Actress Prize.
07:41I've seen it all, there is no more to see.
07:48After its success, Björk starred in another film, Drawing Restraint 9, before taking a self-imposed 17-year break from
07:56acting.
07:57In 2022, horror Artur Robert Eggers cast her in his dark Viking epic, The Northman, in a role she was
08:05born to play, the seeress, a supernatural prophetess.
08:10It is not enough to be the man that never cries.
08:152. Jennifer Hudson
08:17From American Idol to winning an Oscar, Jennifer Hudson's career is one that dreams are made of.
08:23After finishing in seventh place on the reality series, Hollywood came calling.
08:342 years after her shocking elimination, Hudson made her on-screen debut as Effie White in the film adaptation of
08:41the musical, Dream Girls.
08:42Her heartbreaking rendition of And I Am Telling You, I'm Not Going and scene-stealing performance earned her an Academy
08:50Award for Best Supporting Actress.
09:04Since then, she has starred in Broadway musicals and numerous films, including starring as the singular Aretha Franklin in the
09:11biopic, Respect.
09:12Looks like this EGOT winner's spotlight is brighter than ever.
09:17Think, think about what you're trying to do to me.
09:20Think, think, think.
09:22Let's back or let yourself be free.
09:33Before we continue, check out this single from SoundMojo's album current, EDM Transformed.
09:39Check out the full track and album below.
09:551. David Bowie
09:58Over the course of his career, music icon David Bowie assumed many alter egos.
10:03From Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke, he could transform into a character with such ease.
10:09So, when it came for the Starman to make his transition into acting, it was like second nature.
10:15Why don't I have a defense counsel?
10:18Exactly what kind of trial are you giving me?
10:22This whole thing's a bloody farce.
10:24He impressed everyone with his celestial role in The Man Who Fell to Earth, and wooed us as Jareth, the
10:31Goblin King in Labyrinth.
10:32Sarah, beware.
10:35I have been generous up until now, but I can be cruel.
10:39He played real-life figures like Andy Warhol in Basquiat, Nikola Tesla in The Prestige, and made cameos as himself
10:47in various projects.
10:49With dozens of screen credits to his name, the late musician's acting career is nothing short of legendary.
10:55I think it's impossible, Mr. Angelo. What you want is simply expensive.
10:59Which of these singers turned actors surprised you the most? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
11:06Be sure to let us know once.
11:07Hello, sir.
11:08Biff!
11:09einer
Comments

Recommended