14 Hollywood Celebrities Who Are Also Musicians (2020 List)

It’s no secret that successfully breaking into the field of entertainment is no mean feat. After all, how many Elvis Presleys, Sarah Jessica Parkers, Shania Twains and Leonardo De Caprio’s could there be?

Few people like these can go from rags to riches relying only on their talent and timely opportunities that came their way.

Even those coming from comfortable backgrounds aren’t guaranteed success, either. Whether it’s in the field of music or acting, not just anybody can make it big and last.

However, there are Hollywood celebrities who have succeeded and become Hollywood A-listers, while also being able to do what they love on the side: play music. Some of them are top paid actors of the industry.

List of 14 successful actors, who also have the gift of melody:

1. Johnny Depp

Famous for his unforgettable titular role as “Edward Scissorhands” and his blockbuster film series “Pirates of the Caribbean” playing the character of Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp is a certified Hollywood A-lister. However, he’s also a seriously gifted guitarist, and tours with the Hollywood Vampires which features Alice Cooper and Joe Perry.

2. Nicole Kidman

The wife of country musician Keith Urban, Australian actress Nicole Kidman is not only a famous actress but also a talented singer. She not only famously sang her songs in the musical extravaganza “Moulin Rouge” but she also sang a duet with Robbie Williams in their version of the song “Somethin’ Stupid.”

3. Keanu Reeves

“The Matrix” and “John Wick” have certainly put and kept Keanu Reeves on the Hollywood A-listers’ map. But did you know that he has also been an active musician for over a decade now? He occasionally plays the bass guitar for the band Dogstar, as well as another band called “Becky.”

4. Hugh Laurie

Playing the titular role in the medical drama “House,” British actor is also a seriously talented musician. If you’ve ever seen his TV series, you’d see his character Dr. House playing the piano in a few scenes. In real life, Laurie already released two blues albums in 2011 and 2013. He also plays the guitar, saxophone, harmonica, and drums.

5. Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling’s musical gift was shown in the film “La La Land” where he also sang with his co-star Emma Stone. He released an album with his band, Dead Man’s Bones, in 2009.

6. Russell Crowe

The lead actor of films “Gladiator” and “A Beautiful Mind,” Russell Crowe started his music career under the name Russ le Roq in the 1980s. Although his vocals may not have been impressive in “Les Miserables” where he played Javert, he finished a number of musical projects. These include “30 Odd Foot of Grunts,” and “Russell Crowe and The Ordinary Fear Of God.”

7. Penélope Cruz

Known for her beauty and acting skills, Penélope Cruz already sang in a number of movie soundtracks. Cruz also participated in the “Voices of Hope” compilation that raised money for charity.

8. Robert Downey Jr.

Currently most famous for his role as Tony Stark or Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. also sang early in his career, as exemplified in “The Futurist.” Released in 2004, this was his first recording as a singer-songwriter.

9. Zooey Deschanel

Never one to hide her musical inclination, Zooey Deschanel plays for the band She & Him with whom she records and tours on a regular basis. She sings, and plays the ukulele and piano. Of course, we all know her for her gregarious comedy roles.

10. Scarlett Johansson

Another one from the Marvel franchise, Scarlett Johansson started her Hollywood career way back as a child actor. However, she also began singing in 2006. In fact, she already released her debut album called “Anywhere I Lay My Head” back in 2008.

11. Kevin Bacon

Actor Kevin Bacon is not as active these days, but he is recognized as one of Hollywood’s highly respected actors, starring in critically acclaimed films such as “Sleepers,” “Apollo 13” and “Mystic River.” He has also been performing as the other half in the Bacon Brothers, with his brother Michael, since 1995.

12. Jennifer Love Hewitt

Starting her career as a child actor, Jennifer Love Hewitt is also the famous “Ghost Whisperer.” On the side, she has had a fairly successful singing career, and has a number of studio albums to her name.

13. Antonio Banderas

The Spanish actor Antonio Banderas’ gift of music is quite obvious in his films “Desperado’” and “Evita” where he sang and played the guitar.

14. Jack Black

Famous for being a comic, Jack Black has acted in television commercials since 1982. However, Black had a chance to show his musical chops in the 2003 comedy film “School of Rock.” Black is also the lead singer of Tenacious D, a hard rock band.

Do you have the gift of music?

It’s true that not just anyone can make it big as an artist, no matter how gifted you might be. And it takes more than having state-of-the-art musical instruments and equipment such as 2-way speakers, microphone stands and audio recorders to make a musical breakthrough.

So if you want to make your own mark as a singer or musician, keep these tips in mind:

Take music, vocal or singing lessons:There are some truly musically gifted individuals who’ve made it big. However, the likes of Katy Perry and Kesha aren’t necessarily vocal powerhouses; yet they’ve succeeded in the pop music industry. So if you are musically inclined, take time to develop and hone your craft.
Practice:Whether you’re keen on singing or becoming a famous drummer or lead guitarist, you need to practice. With constant practice, you’ll get better and perhaps even expand to other genres or musical instruments. However, always start where you are most comfortable.
Develop your signature style:It’s helpful to know your vocal range so you can maximize your musical talent within a certain genre you do really well. Find out what you have to offer and what’s unique about you, and progress from there.
Be patient:True and lasting success does not come overnight. Meantime, participate in musical shows, join competitions, and publish some of your music on YouTube or social media.

Seriously talented people get easily noticed these days. Who knows, you might even do the reverse of what the Hollywood actors mentioned here did, and do a Madonna, Will Smith, Mark Wahlberg, or Rihanna – switch from music to acting as you wish, and also experience the best of both worlds?