Top 10 Moments We Found Out a Singer Was a Great Actor
#10: Janelle Monáe “Moonlight” (2016)
Monáe has been blowing people away with their singing ability since they were a child winning Juneteenth talent contests. But it wasn’t until 2016, when they had major roles in not one, but two critically acclaimed dramas, that we learned that they could act too. Monáe’s live-action debut film role was as Teresa, a substitute mother figure to Chiron in the Oscar-winning flick “Moonlight.” Teresa appears in the moments in Chiron’s life when he needs it the most. Monáe plays the role with such confidence and poise, it’s hard to believe that they haven’t been acting on-screen professionally for decades.
#9: Whitney Houston “The Bodyguard” (1992)
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Houston was one of the greatest voices of her time, and one of the most successful singers of any time. So maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise that when she made her feature screen debut playing a renowned singer and actress, she melted right into the role. Her character Rachel has been getting threats, though she doesn’t take them seriously enough. Fortunately, the people around her do, with her manager hiring an ex-Secret Service employee to be her bodyguard. The two start off at odds with each other, but eventually bond. Houston and Kevin Costner might not seem like an obvious pairing, but the two stars have so much chemistry, they made us believe they were really falling for each other.
#8: Ice Cube “Boyz n the Hood” (1991)
Top 20 Moments We Found Out an Actor Was a Great Singer
As one of the original members of N.W.A., Ice Cube’s impact on modern rap can’t be overstated. Also known by his birth name, O'Shea Jackson Sr., Cube started rapping in high school. It wasn’t too much later that he co-starred in his first film alongside the likes of Cuba Gooding Jr. As Darrin "Doughboy" Baker, he feels trapped in a cycle of violence in his South Central L.A. neighborhood. The young Cube showed an incredible amount of maturity in the role. Thus, he proved that he had acting chops to go with his musical talent, kicking off a long and successful career on film.
#7: Mark Wahlberg “Boogie Nights” (1997)
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These days, Wahlberg is so well-known as an actor that young audiences might not even know that his career started in music. But for a few years back in the ‘90s, he was notably the leader of the hip-hop group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. During this time, he also gained attention as an underwear model. The Funky Bunch disbanded in 1993, and Wahlberg snagged a few acting roles in film and TV, the bulk of which were relatively minor. However, it arguably wasn’t until his breakout playing adult film star Eddie Adams, a.k.a. Dirk Diggler, in “Boogie Nights” that he really got to prove himself on screen. The rest, as they say, is history.
#6: Dolly Parton “9 to 5” (1980)
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After growing up in extreme poverty in Tennessee, Parton made a name for herself as a country music superstar and songwriter at a young age. By the time audiences first saw her act in a feature film in 1980, she was used to being on screen on a number of talk and variety shows. Still, this was something new. In the workplace comedy “9 to 5,” Parton’s Doralee and her two coworkers, played by Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, get revenge on their sexist and overbearing boss. Parton quickly showed that she could hold her own alongside these two silver screen icons. It made us love her even more — and we seriously didn’t know that was even possible!
#5: Barbra Streisand “Funny Girl” (1968)
After starting out as a nightclub singer, Streisand transitioned to Broadway musicals, where she quickly made a name for herself. Of course, she soon made waves as a recording artist as well. By 1964, she was starring on stage as comedian Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl”, bringing her talents together. Now, these were the days long before widespread home video and streaming. So the only folks able to witness Streisand’s acting prowess were the ones who could see her in person. When “Funny Girl” was adapted for the screen in 1968 with Streisand once again in the lead, everyone got a chance to appreciate both her incredible voice and her stellar comedic skills.
#4: Cher “Mask” (1985)
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Starting in the mid-‘60s, Cher was on screen almost constantly. Often, this was in more lighthearted situations, like “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour”. But the beloved singer also got to show us glimpses of her ability as a dramatic actress in flicks like “Silkwood.” Her role in 1985’s “Mask” is arguably what brought the full scale of her talent in these more serious roles to the fore. As biker chick Rusty Dennis, she does her best to provide and care for her child Rocky, who was born with a genetic disorder. The biographic drama is filled with emotional highs and lows, giving Cher the opportunity to put her range on display. And what an impressive range it is.
#3: Diana Ross “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972)
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This Motown legend hasn’t accepted many acting opportunities over her career, but when she does take one on, she makes it count and then some. Although her choice to portray jazz singer Billie Holiday was initially met with some skepticism, her showing soon made the critics eat their words. The film itself received mixed reviews, but Ross’s performance was almost universally praised, with her ability to capture Holiday’s unique sound blowing minds. It was a standout acting debut that showed there’s virtually nothing Diana Ross cannot do. Surprisingly, the singer has only acted in a handful of feature films. But we’ll cherish any chance we get to see her on the big screen!
#2: Jennifer Hudson “Dreamgirls” (2006)
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“American Idol” fans knew that Hudson was going to make it big as a singer from the first time she walked into the audition room. Her voice is simply undeniable. Just a few years later, she had an equally impressive acting start portraying Effie White, lead singer of the Dreamettes. Hudson’s ability to command a scene as she brings her character to life makes it almost hard to believe that this was her first feature film role. In fact, she’s such a natural presence on screen, it makes perfect sense that she began hosting her own daytime talk show in 2022. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Awkwafina, “The Farewell” (2019) We Didn’t Expect This Raunchy Internet Rapper to Make Us Cry Tim McGraw, “Friday Night Lights” (2004) This Dark & Intense Performance Seemingly Came Out of Nowhere Mandy Moore, “A Walk to Remember” (2002) Her Transition From Pop Stardom to Teen Romance Was Seamless Reba McEntire, “Reba” (2001-07) How Many Musicians Have Gone on to Become Sitcom Stars? Tupac Shakur, “Juice” (1992) The Late Rapper’s Dramatic Turn Is Impressively Mature
#1: Lady Gaga “American Horror Story: Hotel” (2015-16)
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When folks think of Lady Gaga and acting, her incredible leading turn in “A Star Is Born” might come to mind — and for good reason! But audiences might easily have forgotten that the singer’s first small screen role in “American Horror Story: Hotel” was also captivating. As the manipulative vampire the Countess, Gaga has to project decades worth of wisdom through her character. Not only does she pull it off, but she does it with the poise of a veteran actor. This breakout performance even netted her a Golden Globe, which says it all. She also returned to “AHS” for its sixth season. Gaga has been brilliant in her dramatic roles since, and we know there’s no part she can’t nail.
