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Multi-Hyphenates: Actors and Musicians Who Can Do It ALL!

Learn more about your favorite musicians who also became actors!

Oct 03, 2019

We all have those friends who seem to be good at everything they do, and these famous musicians are no different with talent to spare. It seems like there are so many actors who can do it all: sing, dance, act, and here’s a look at a few who started out as singers and progressed in their careers to become equally successful on the big and small screens.

Harry Styles

British pop star Harry Styles is known for his start as a member of boy band One Direction, and subsequent departure in favor of a solo career. He’s done quite well for himself as a solo act with hits like "Sign of the Times." Sure, he technically got his start on television show "The X Factor," but it is a singing competition and led to his uber-successful boy band career.

Harry Styles has been headed in One Direction... from singing to acting!Harry Styles has been headed in One Direction... from singing to acting!

Since going it alone he has also established himself as an actor appearing in 2017’s war epic Dunkirk and has appeared as himself on multiple tv shows.

Harry on the beach at DunkirkHarry on the beach at Dunkirk

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga (real name Stefani Germanotta) burst onto the music scene in 2008 with her album The Fame. She had previously garnered attention as a songwriter for other musicians, but after her successful first album with hits like "Poker Face" and "Just Dance" she has continued her musical success for the past decade.

Lady Gaga put on her Poker Face for the big screen.Lady Gaga put on her Poker Face for the big screen.

She made her feature film debut in Machete Kills in 2014, but really made a splash last fall for her turn as Ally in A Star is Born opposite Bradley Cooper. She was nominated for an Academy Award and won for her song “Shallow” in the movie.

Lady Gaga with Bradley Cooper in A Star Is BornLady Gaga with Bradley Cooper in A Star Is Born

Madonna

Madonna is the 80’s queen of pop with one chart topper after another (“Like a Virgin,” “Material Girl”), but she also moved on to be queen of the screen in movies like Desperately Seeking Susan and A League of Their Own.

Madonna is A League of her OwnMadonna is A League of her Own

Ludacris

Ludacris (real name Christopher Bridges) had a successful rap career in late 1990s and 2000s, winning three Grammys. He began acting with a minor role in 2001, but hit it big two years later with the role of techie Tej Parker in 2 Fast 2 Furious, and has been a major part of the franchise since.

Ludacris hard at work in Furious 7Ludacris hard at work in Furious 7

Ice-T

Ice-T made his name as a rapper in the 1980s and 1990s before joining the long running NBC drama "Law & Order: SVU" in 2000.

Ice-T at work for the Special Victims UnitIce-T at work for the Special Victims Unit

But Wait, There’s More!

There are so many more successful musicians who have moved into acting as well. Cher is one of the biggest names in both music and moves (Moonstruck, and did anyone catch her in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again?). Will Smith was the lead of a hit tv show ("The Fresh Prince of Bel Air") and is one of the biggest movies stars in the world, but also had a career as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince that led to the tv show.

Cher! Need we say more?Cher! Need we say more?

Other famous names among these ranks include Ice Cube, Mark Wahlberg, Mandy Moore, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton, and Frank Sinatra.

Mandy Moore is a chameleon of the screen.Mandy Moore is a chameleon of the screen.
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Who are your favorite musicians turned actors? Did we miss any you love? Let us know in the comments!