In today’s world, the more talents a person has, the bigger chance they have to make it big and become a star. Many actresses and actors, for example, start out as models and eventually start acting. Another career path many have taken over the years is to first build a successful career as a singer and then become an actor.
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Throughout time, many people undertook this step, with varying results. Some proved they were better singers than actors, and didn’t succeed on the screen or stage. However, the best of the best not only build a great acting career, but also proved to have immense talent. Many have even brought their vocal talents to the films they starred in.
8Bing Crosby
In the golden era of Hollywood, being able to both sing and act presented an advantage for anybody, considering the massive popularity of movie musicals. Bing Crosby was one of the first successful singers who started acting as well. He became famous when he recorded now-classic songs such as the hit “White Christmas.”
Later on, Crosby started acting and did dozens of movies, not just musicals. However, the movies he sang in belong among the best, such asHigh Society(1956) and the Christmas storyWhite Christmas(1954).
7Frank Sinatra
Just like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra was already an established singer when he started acting. However, he quickly proved he could take on more than just musical roles. Sinatra became a versatile performer who shone in many movies and played alongside some of the most famous stars of all time, such as Marlon Brando or Burt Lancaster.
Fans of classic movies have a lot of options to choose from, such as the originalOcean’s Eleven(1960),Paris – When It Sizzles(1964) with Audrey Hepburn, or the musicalGuys and Dolls(1955). One of Sinatra’s greatest acting accomplishments was winning an Oscar for the best actor in the movieThe Man with the Golden Arm(1955).
6Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand is a singing icon, but she’s just talented when it comes to acting. Streisand started her career as a nightclub singer and slowly worked her way up. She proved both her acting and singing chops in many Broadway productions, as well as movies such asFunny Girl(1968) and her most famous work,Yentl(1982).
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Yentlwas a passion project for Streisand. All the work and effort she put in paid out, since the movie won multiple awards, including Streisand’s Golden Globe best director.
5Cher
Cher is one of the few people whose name is familiar to a large audience even if they haven’t seen any of her acting work. Originally a singer, Cher became famous thanks to her unique voice.
She used it well in multiple movies, such asBurlesque(2010) with Christina Aguilera (another singer-turned-actress) and in the summer flickMamma Mia! Here We Go Again(2018) in which she played Meryl Streep’s mother. However, more important is the fact that Cher won an Oscar for the best actress in the critically-acclaimed movieMoonstruck(1987).
4Mandy Moore
In the early 2000s, Mandy Moore was the new queen of romantic comedies. But even before that, she was a successful pop singer. Moore appeared in multiple movies, includingThe Princess Diaries(2001),Chasing Liberty(2004), and the beautifully tragicA Walk to Remember(2002) based on Nicholas Sparks' novel.
In the more recent years, Moore especially shone in the animated hitTangled. She continues with her acting career to this day, currently starring in the TV showThis Is Us.
3Will Smith
Will Smith is one of the most popular and successful actors of all time. But before he started acting, he was a known rapper. Smith has dozens of roles under his belt in movies of different genres. He starred inhighly successful franchises such asMen in BlackorBad Boys.
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Smith often appears in sci-fi movies, includingI, Robotfrom 2004 andI Am Legendfrom 2007. Just like many singers-turned-actors on this list, Smith has received an Academy Award as the best actor. He’s received this honor not once, but twice, for his moviesAli(2001) andThe Pursuit of Happyness(2006).
2Mark Wahlberg
In the 1990s, Marky Mark, as he was known back then, was a part of the group Funky Bunch. However, that’s long gone. Since then, Wahlberg has gone on to build a successful acting career. He starred in many movies, such asBoogie Nights(1997),Ted(2012), andTransformers: Age of Extinction(2014).
Wahlberg’s movement abilities helped him win his first roles but it’s not the only reason why he became a well-known actor. For the next year, he already has several movies planned, and is showing no sign of slowing down.
1Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga first took the world by storm as a successful and original singerwhose hits includingBad RomanceandPoker Faceare now legendary. However, the music career wasn’t enough for the talented performer, and in 2018, Lady Gaga proved she was a talented actress in the musicalA Star is Born,starring alongside Bradley Cooper.
Her latest work is the Ridley Scott movieHouse of Gucci. Lady Gaga also shone as one ofthe most memorable villains in the horror TV seriesAmerican Horror Story.
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