7 Actors Who You Did Know Were Talented Musicians

It should not come as a surprise that musicians can act, given the level of showmanship they exhibit on stage. Actors You Knew Are Talented Musicians might be found here. To succeed in the Entertainment industry as a musician and an actor simultaneously requires a formidable set of abilities. Even though not every musician has been able to transition successfully into a successful acting career, let's have a look at the seven artists who have gone on to become successful actors. These actors are also talented musicians.

1. Courtney Love

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Famous for her alternative rock band Hole and her marriage to Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love is a household name among punk and grunge music fans. Inspired to enter the acting world, Love first appeared in low-budget films like Man on the Moon and Trapped before becoming a household name.

2. Ice Cube

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Many rap artists, including Eminem and 50 Cent, have transitioned to film, but no one can match the intensity of Ice Cube's performances. Ice Cube's career began in the hip-hop groups CIA and NWA, but he was always a showman, so it was only natural that he transitioned into acting. His most notable films are Anaconda, XXX: State of the Union, and Ride Along.

3. David Bowie

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Compared to his contemporaries, David Bowie was unparalleled in blending visual and auditory elements into his performances. Throughout his five-decade career, the late musician sold over 140 million albums worldwide thanks to his ability to consistently reinvent himself in response to shifting musical tastes.
Bowie's unparalleled magnetism made him one of the most sought-after musicians, even attracting the attention of major film directors. Bowie's most recent great role as an actor was as Nikola Tesla in Christopher Nolan's The Prestige. Before that, he starred in Labyrinth, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and The Last Temptation of Christ.

4. Jennifer Hudson

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Jennifer Hudson's life seemed hopeless after she was booted from the third season of American Idol. She didn't realize it at the time, but being eliminated opened up several options for her to explore. The girl's boundless energy and natural singing ability landed her the role of Effie White in the musical drama film Dreamgirls.
For her first acting role, Hudson had to compete with established performers like Raven-Symoné and Fantasia Barrino. The film Dreamgirls, in which Hudson co-starred with A-listers like Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, and Beyoncé Knowles, was nominated for six Oscars and won two, with Hudson taking home the trophy for Best Supporting Actress.

5. Mark Wahlberg

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Although it may come as a surprise, Mark Wahlberg got his start in the entertainment industry as a member of the hip-hop group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. After four successful years and two albums, the band decided to call it quits. After working with Prince Ital Joe, Wahlberg continued his musical career and starred in films like The Italian Job, The Departed, Shooter, Max Payne, The Fighter, and Transformers. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Departed.

6. Will Smith

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Will Smith made a meager living as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince at first, but his efforts paid off when he got his TV show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The show's success over six seasons helped Smith break out of television and into the movie industry. Smith is the only actor to have eight Movies gross over $100 million at the domestic box office and eleven consecutive movies gross over $150 million, thanks to hits like Independence Day, I Am Legend, and Men in Black.

7. Johnny Depp

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While Johnny Depp has become one of the most respected actors of his generation, acting was never his ultimate goal. Depp dropped out of high school when he was 15 to pursue a career in music, but he quickly realized that acting was where he truly belonged. He has been nominated for three Oscars and has used his success in Hollywood to pursue his lifelong passion for music by working with various artists, such as Marilyn Manson and the rock band Oasis.