Top 27 Actors Who Tried and FAILED to Become Pop Stars

Top 27 Actors Who Tried and FAILED to Become Pop Stars

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for celebrities who attempted to pivot from acting to music. While some may have had a hit or two, they proved that star power on screen doesn’t always translate to pop stardom.

#27: Tyra Banks

Although the reality show host found success in film and television, the same unfortunately couldn’t be said for the studio. In the early 2000s, Tyra Banks attempted to transition into pop stardom. Her first single was on the “Life-Size” soundtrack, with the family-friendly “Be A Star”. Her second and final release of the decade was 2004’s “Shake Ya Body”. The party track was much more adult than her debut, but it failed to make an impact on the charts. Tyra herself saw the writing on the wall, and pulled the plug on her career just as it was beginning. She’s since admitted that she didn’t have quite the right voice for pop stardom, and that her talents were better suited for the screen.

#26: Vanessa Hudgens

In the 2000s, she showed off her impressive singing skills in the “High School Musical” trilogy. Shortly after the first film came out, Vanessa Hudgens decided to release music of her own. Both her 2006 debut album and 2008 follow-up charted high on the Billboard 200. Unfortunately, her individual singles failed to replicate that success on the Hot 100. By the time she announced a hiatus from recording in 2009, her work with Disney had far outpaced her solo efforts. Since then, Hudgens has put all of her focus into her acting career. In 2024, she made it clear that she wouldn’t be returning to the studio anytime soon, but ultimately was thankful she got to experience even a brief moment as a pop star.

#25: Tori Spelling

Since childhood, she’s been no stranger to the screen. Tori Spelling has appeared in plenty of films and television shows, from “Beverly Hills, 90210” to the “Scary Movie” franchise. Although acting was encouraged, she claimed that she was bullied for being tone-deaf. As such, her vocal stylings have been limited to her filmed work. Her first attempt was with the 1999 comedy “Trick”, where her rendition of “Enter You” failed to impress both fictional and real-life audiences. She then tried her hand at modernized versions of Christmas classics in 2012’s “The Mistle-Tones”. Although she was finally able to overcome her insecurities by competing on “The Masked Singer”, all of her attempts make it clear why she never seriously pursued a career in music.

#24: Ashley Tisdale

Vanessa Hudgens wasn't the only “High School Musical” star to dabble in pop stardom. Ashley Tisdale embarked on her solo career with the release of 2007’s “Headstrong”, which peaked at #5. While the accompanying singles failed to find a similar high placement, she did snag a gold-certified track with “He Said She Said”. Her follow-up release in 2009 saw similar success, but despite that, she pivoted away from music. She instead put her focus into acting, where she found success in animated and live-action roles. She attempted a comeback in 2019, but her third album failed to have the same impact her first two did. Since then, she’s made it clear that she wouldn’t be returning to the studio for a long time.

#23: Paris Hilton

She may be known for her socialite status, but her work on screen ensured she was well-known by people around the nation. Paris Hilton wasn’t just satisfied with TV and film, however. In 2006, she took to the music scene with her eponymously-named debut album and single “Stars Are Blind”. They both charted high on charts around the world, which indicated the beginning of a successful singing career. Unfortunately, her momentum wouldn’t last long. Her subsequent releases failed to make the same impact. She’s continued to release new tracks, and has even collaborated with big names in the industry. She has yet to replicate her initial success, and it seems her one-hit wonder status won’t be going away anytime soon.

#22: Vin Diesel

Thanks to his work in some of the most popular franchises of the 21st century, he’s become one of the most successful actors in the world. Unfortunately, Vin Diesel’s immense success on screen didn’t translate at all to the studio. He first tried his hand at a rap career, but it failed to launch almost immediately. He then retreated back into acting, and limited his musical endeavors to covers of hit songs. He made the official pivot to pop music in 2020. With film productions having been shut down thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, Diesel instead poured his efforts into recording and releasing two original singles. They came and went with little fanfare, making it clear that his talents were better suited for acting.

#21: Ansel Elgort

In the 2010s, his work in films like “Baby Driver” and “The Fault In Our Stars” solidified him as one of the biggest rising stars of his generation. Ansel Elgort set his sights on the music industry soon afterward. He started out with a short lived stint as a DJ, before transitioning to pop towards the end of the decade. He released a collection of singles, some of which were met with mixed reactions from critics. He never quite took off as a musician, with his songs failing to chart and his onscreen work garnering more attention. Although he got to flex his vocal chops in the 2021 adaptation of “West Side Story”, it still wasn’t enough to bring attention to his original work.

#20: Tom Hardy

Most people know Tom Hardy for his transformative acting performances. From “The Revenant” to “Mad Max: Fury Road,” his intensity jumps off the screen. People might not know that Hardy also tried out hip-hop as a younger man. This includes an apparent recording deal and some unreleased tracks. Not only that, the actor seemed serious enough with his moniker Tommy No. 1. Given some of his more verbose and broader roles, the performer isn’t a long shot as an emcee. Some of the work leaked online, but it hasn’t inspired the man to go back to the rap world any time soon.

#19: Steven Seagal

As a martial artist and an actor, Steven Seagal made a name for himself as a tough guy. Watching him in “Above the Law,” you don’t see the guy becoming a singer any time soon. This didn’t stop Seagal from releasing multiple albums. We’ll let you make up your own mind, but it’s fair to say that the world doesn’t need more of his music. Some of his recordings need to be heard to be believed. It’s strange to think that this actor collaborated with Stevie Wonder. He even tried his hand at blues, with his second record “Mojo Priest” exploring the genre to mixed results. Given his reputation for being difficult, we’d rather move on than risk being beaten up.

#18: Russell Crowe

He might be an Oscar-winner, but he also likes to sing. This goes back to his days in Australia under the name Russ le Roq or with his band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. He’s even done some collaborations with the likes of Chrissie Hynde. As Javert in “Les Misérables,” Crowe showed off his voice to a wider audience. His performance received mixed reviews, just like some of his recording catalog. He hasn’t received the same kind of attention for his music, but Crowe still likes to occasionally sing and perform live. It’s safe to say that he’ll be better remembered for playing Maximus or starring in “A Beautiful Mind.”

#17: Jada Pinkett Smith

While she’s been known for her work in film and television, in the early 21st century she set out on a musical side quest. Jada Pinkett Smith served as the lead singer of the nu metal band Wicked Wisdom, and together they dropped two albums. Although they didn’t see much traction on the charts, they did open for Britney Spears after their debut record was released. It seemed they were on the precipice of mainstream success, with them even being offered the opportunity to tour with Guns N’ Roses. However, at that point Pinkett Smith stepped back from the group so that she could prioritize her family instead. While it was a noble choice, it marked the end of her short lived recording career.

#16: Bruce Willis

Before he was known as one of the most prolific actors of his generation, he was known as Bruno Radolini. Under that pseudonym, Bruce Willis released his debut album in 1987. It consisted of several pop-blues recordings, which allowed him to show off his vocal stylings. Although his efforts resulted in a top ten single on the Billboard 100, those who knew him for his acting were less than impressed. His subsequent work as his alter ego failed to find the same chart success, and by the end of the 1980s, Bruno was no more. Luckily, Willis had already hit his stride as an actor by then, and soon his career on screen greatly outpaced that of his short lived musical one.

#15: Leighton Meester

As a core member of the “Gossip Girl” cast, Leighton Meester became a TV star in 2007. She’s also released music and been featured as a guest on tracks. This includes the hit song “Good Girls Go Bad” by Cobra Starship. It’s a catchy track full of late-2000s charm, with Meester adding to a fun performance. After other work with the likes of Robin Thicke, she put out her solo debut “Heartstrings” in 2014. The record appeared at 139 on the Billboard 200 and included a concert tour. She has yet to release another album, maintaining focus on her television and film ventures. When she lost her home in the 2025 California wildfires, the artist received support from fans that streamed her music catalog.

#14: Corey Feldman

Starring in “The Goonies” and “Stand by Me,” Corey Feldman was among the best child actors of his day. He made classics during the 1980s before trying out music. Some of his output could be compared to the pop stylings of Michael Jackson. 1994 saw the release of his debut album “Love Left,” but this record didn’t reinvigorate his career. People like Howard Stern made fun of him, making him out to be more of a novelty act. At the end of the day, Feldman kept trying music throughout the years as one of his passion projects. Unless you’re a super fan, you likely prefer his work in any number of nostalgic favorites.

#13: Clint Eastwood

You know him best as a movie star across multiple decades. From Westerns to dramas, Clint Eastwood is one of the more identifiable men of the 20th century. He became better known after his work on “Rawhide.” Around the same time, he made a record serving up some “Cowboy Favorites.” With his interest in music, Eastwood was able to sing standards in his earlier career. He ended up with big opportunities in cinema rather than becoming a renowned crooner. That isn’t to say he didn’t sing on screen either. On top of that, the filmmaker contributes more than acting or directing to his projects. This includes writing music for “Unforgiven” or composing his Oscar-winning films like “Million Dollar Baby.”

#12: Brie Larson

As a child actor, Brie Larson started her career trying out a mix of music and films. Her teenage years included songs like “She Said.” With work at Disney and a solo album, it looked like she might head towards a more musical life. In the 2010s, she even got to play a musician in “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” The actress ultimately found more interest and long-term success in movies. Her acting work quickly skyrocketed as she drew praise for indie films and won an Oscar for “Room.” Larson then entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Captain Marvel. Between her work as a superhero or in the “Fast” franchise, she’s traded singles for blockbusters.

#11: Eddie Murphy

From “SNL” to big-screen comedies, Eddie Murphy blew up in the 1980s. He even teamed up with Rick James for “Party All the Time.” While it was a hit single, Murphy’s music career took a backseat to his comedy specials and movies like “Beverly Hills Cop.” He later collaborated with Michael Jackson on “Whatzupwitu.” Along with attempts at reggae, the comedian kept his musical projects eclectic and minimal. He also had a talent for singing and mimicking other artists. Considering his popularity on TV and in films, it was nearly impossible to ever match his Hollywood stardom as a musician.

#10: Alyssa Milano

In both TV and movies, Alyssa Milano made her mark as an actress. If you know her from “Who’s the Boss?,” you might still not know about her work in music. She’s not the only actress to try out a pop career, but few try one in a different country like Japan. A younger Milano released several records far away from the American market. This might be why you have trouble remembering her songs. Between 1989 and 1992, she released four albums on the label Pony Canyon Inc. She had a hold on Japanese audiences until returning to her acting work. Instead of making another record, she went on to work on series like “Charmed.”

#9: Lindsay Lohan

She was a massively successful star in her younger days, starring in everything from “The Parent Trap” to “Mean Girls.” Lindsay Lohan also made a momentary splash with her music. Her album “Speak” did platinum numbers and her follow-up “A Little More Personal (Raw)” went gold. She carried her screen stardom into the recording industry, but it wasn’t meant to last. The actress mentioned that she took a break to leave room for her sister’s music. Lohan’s personal struggles didn’t help either, with her professional career taking a turn. More recently, she’s put out rom-coms and even recorded covers like “Jingle Bell Rock.”

#8: Leonard Nimoy

For decades, he was known and beloved for his work as Spock in the “Star Trek” franchise. Although his brilliant rendition of the character was widely known, what was less prominent was his brief stint as a recording artist. Leonard Nimoy first took to the recording industry in the late 1960s, with a Spock themed album that required him to stay in character. It was popular enough that he had the opportunity to release music as himself. He shifted away from sci-fi themed pieces to a more folk sound, where he covered popular songs and penned strange singles of his own. He released five records before his recording career fizzled out in 1970, and his continued work on screen soon overshadowed it completely.

#7: Scarlett Johansson

After working as a young actor, Scarlett Johansson became a leading star in the 2000s. Her role in “Lost in Translation” garnered her further acclaim, while films like “Match Point” showed her range. Johansson was no stranger to music either with her appearance in a Justin Timberlake video. In 2008, she released her debut “Anywhere I Lay My Head.” It charted in several countries and featured covers of Tom Waits songs. She followed that up with an album alongside Pete Yorn. In both cases, the artist showed promise regardless of reviews or record sales. The performer then became Black Widow and churned out a prolific decade of acting. Even if she isn’t a pop idol, she sang on soundtracks like “The Jungle Book.”

#6: Joe Pesci

Before his great work as a mainstream actor, Joe Pesci was a musician and singer. He even knew members of the Four Seasons, but he was much more talented as a screen performer. Pesci connected with Martin Scorsese and started a fruitful partnership that lasted multiple films. The actor had another album in the 1990s, with some entertaining attempts at rapping. He didn’t act much in the 2000s, but he also seemed prepared to make something of a comeback. He eventually released a third record in 2019 that went largely under the radar. That same year, he returned to work with Scorsese and received an Oscar nomination for “The Irishman.”

#5: Jennifer Love Hewitt

For most of her life, Jennifer Love Hewitt has been on one screen or another. This includes TV shows like “Party of Five” or cult classics like “Can’t Hardly Wait.” As a kid, the actress made a record for Japanese company Meldac. She then started an American recording career as her acting took off even further. Going from pure pop to a more mature sound, she released three more studio albums including the moderately successful “BareNaked.” Each step of the way, her acting work won out in terms of attention and popularity. She’s released songs for some of her projects, but Hewitt has merely dabbled in music since her last album.

#4: Don Johnson

You know him from “Miami Vice,” but Don Johnson has much more up his sleeve. This includes an attempt as a pop singer. His single “Heartbeat” has an energy that’s reminiscent of other hits from the decade. Johnson has his share of charisma, but he always seemed more at home on TV. The artist even did a duet with the one and only Barbra Streisand. He might have had some wins as a vocalist, but they’ve mostly taken a back seat to his acting. You’re now more likely to find him in a film rather than worrying about his singing. Looking back, his two solo albums feel more like relics from the 1980s pop and rock genres.

#3: Gwyneth Paltrow

In the 1990s, Gwyneth Paltrow climbed the entertainment ladder with a wide range of roles. Her Oscar win for “Shakespeare in Love” made her a major Hollywood A-lister, while “Iron Man” landed her in the MCU. Her brief foray into music was sandwiched between multiple successes. “Duets” gave her a chance to partner with Huey Lewis, but years later “Country Strong” gave her an opportunity to try out country music. Not only did she star in blockbusters, she also did well with businesses like Goop. Her singing didn’t last, but she was clearly busy earning money elsewhere.

#2: William Shatner

No matter how many ways you look at it, William Shatner will always be Captain Kirk. The “Star Trek” actor has made a name for himself across several mediums, but music is not necessarily his best. Shatner doesn’t sing so much as he delivers a dramatic reading of the lyrics. He put out “The Transformed Man” in the late sixties, starting a trend of strange recordings. After “Star Trek” films and other TV work, the performer returned to the studio. He’s been prolific during the 21st century, but his work behind the microphone doesn’t hold a candle to his acting. This doesn’t mean that his version of “Rocket Man” is any less entertaining though.

#1: Robert Downey Jr.

Through all of his ups and downs, Robert Downey Jr. came out the other side as a bona fide star. He continues to prove that he’s a versatile performer. While attempting a career comeback, Downey Jr. also put out one solo album in 2004. It wasn’t the first time he’d sung, but he mostly did so on movie and TV soundtracks. His song “Man Like Me” reached no. 39 on the Billboard US Adult Contemporary charts. The single and album didn’t resonate as much as one might have hoped. Within a few years, the actor was well on his way to Hollywood royalty. His roles in “Iron Man” and an Oscar for “Oppenheimer” surely lessened the blow.

Which of these actors do you think had the most promising music career? Let us know in the comments below!