A good actor can play anyone, right? Meet 15 thespians who, with varying degrees of success, have attempted to be singers. (And no vocalists-turned-actors like Babs.) From a “Gladiator” hero to a rehabbing starlet, listen up to these actors with pipes.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Urbane beauty taps inner twang
This Oscar winner sang with Huey Lewis on the “Cruisin’” video and on TV’s music-fueled hit. She’s back this fall in the movie “Country Strong” as an actor ... and singer.
Joaquin Phoenix rap
'Man in Black' does rap
“Sing” is a generous word for the hip-hop musings of this offbeat actor in his recent mockumentary. He received an Oscar nomination for playing a country star in “Walk the Line.”
Lindsay Lohan
Rehabbing starlet generated 'Rumors'
Now living at this rehab facility, the star of “Mean Girls” released two teen-targeted albums in the mid-2000s. A former “American Idol” judge wrote some of her songs.
Eddie Murphy
Comic gets funky for 'Party'
This A-lister gets laughs in films like “Beverly Hills Cop,” yet proves his pipes in a Michael Jackson video and, with help from a “Superfreak,” his own 1985 hit single.
Minnie Driver
English Oscar nom sings of heartache
Matt Damon allegedly dumped her on a talk show, so this actor, Oscar-nominated for a Damon-scripted film, has plenty of pain to fuel her singer-songwriter career.
Kevin Bacon
Actor sizzles in brotherly duo
If you’ve seen him dancing in “Footloose,” you know this actor has rhythm, which comes in handy in his fraternal two-man group.
Lynda Carter
Superhero actor sings the standards
Who knew TV’s Wonder Woman could croon? Since her 1970s heyday, this actor has released several albums and, in 2007, she launched a new act in New York.
Russell Crowe
“Gladiator” star fronts "Grunts"
Oscar named this “Gladiator” star best actor, whom audiences Down Under also know as a singer for his ’80s solo tune, his band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts and his new group.
Billy Bob
Angelina’s ex sings bluesy tunes
In this interview turned viral video, the prickly star of “Sling Blade” (and Angelina Jolie’s ex-husband) insulted Canadians while promoting his country-rock band.
Robert Downy Jr.
“Iron Man” actor proves musical mettle
Before “Iron Man,” this actor won an Oscar nom for playing a silent-movie star in a 1992 biopic for which he sang on the soundtrack. He also released this 2004 solo CD.
Juliette Lewis
Rock is no act for edgy film star
Although she famously sucked this body part of Robert De Niro in “Cape Fear,” fans of her band, the New Romantiques, say this actor really rocks as lead singer
Jamie Foxx
“In Living Color” alum hits pop charts
Since his Oscar for playing a music icon, this multitalented actor has released two hit albums. His collaboration with a top rapper that won a Grammy is due in December.
David Hasselhoff
“Baywatch” hunk a music star abroad
In the States, we associate this actor with television shows involving a talking car and him wearing a red swimsuit (pics), but people in at least one European country consider him a singing star. Really.
Jennifer Love Hewit
Know what she did last album?
The star of “Ghost Whisperer” (is that show still on?) has summoned several albums of moderate chart success. She also appears in a Spanish pop singer’s “Hero” video.
Jared Leto
My so-called musical life?
He’ll always be Jordan Catalano to TV fans, but this actor is also a musician. Alongside his drummer brother, he sings and plays guitar for this rock band.
