Top 5 Musicians Who Can Act

Last Sunday (January 10) the world lost a pioneering musician and cultural icon in the form of David Bowie, who sadly passed away at the age of 69. As well as being a phenomenon in the world of music, Bowie could also turn his hand at acting – with equally impressive results. He starred in one of my all-time favourite films LABYRINTH (1986) as Jareth, the Goblin King. Who can forget Jareth climbing upside-down staircases, or juggling his crystal balls, while all the time looked very fetching in tights with his punk-mullet hairstyle? LABYRINTH, like THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH and THE PRESTIGE, gave Bowie the perfect opportunity to show off his very fine acting skills, as well as belting out tunes such as “Underground” and “Magic Dance.”

Not all musicians can act, however. Sometimes their superstar status gets in the way of them successfully inhabiting a character or delivering a believable performance, as it does for Madonna. But some music figures also excel in the field of acting, so here’s my Top 5 celebration of those musicians who can also act.

1) Bjork

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As a Lars Von Trier film about Selma, a factory worker who is gradually going blind, and with a running time of nearly 2 1/2 hours, DANCER IN THE DARK was never going to be an easy sell. Although she already had a couple of acting credits to her name, quirky Icelandic pop-star Bjork choose this project as her big-screen debut; and it was a wise choice, earning her a number of Best Actress nominations and awards for her performance as Selma, including the coveted Palme d’Or at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. The film also gave Bjork the chance to feature in a number of musical routines, no doubt keeping her fans very happy indeed.

2) Jennifer Lopez

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Lopez manages to juggle a successful music career, with a fairly decent back catalogue of films. OK, so there’s been the odd turkey or two, namely GIGLI (2003), but in ENOUGH (2002), Lopez gives a very convincing and empowering performance as the wife of an abusive husband. Although I don’t mind her music, I prefer Lopez as an actress – but seeing as she’s a triple threat (meaning she can sing, act and dance) I don’t think she’ll lose any sleep over my preference.

3) Cher

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Cher picked up several nominations and awards, including the big one – the Best Actress Oscar – for her star turn in MOONSTRUCK (1987). Cher’s big personality shone through in a role that was both warm and witty. I enjoyed her just as much in MERMAIDS (1990) – another firm favourite of mine. I’m not sure if Cher can ever stop being ‘Cher,’ even in these two aforementioned roles, but, by always giving such spirited performances, she is always good even if her films aren’t (like BURLESQUE, 2010).

4) Mariah Carey

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In a role that is about as polar opposite to any of Cher’s characters, Mariah Carey appeared as a dowdy, over-worked social worker in PRECIOUS (2009) – and her cameo was a revelation. Make-up free and plainly dressed, Carey’s Ms Weiss was about as far removed from her glamorous diva-like stage persona as you can get. Did Carey demanded puppies in her dressing room, or order those on set not to make direct-eye contact with her? If she did, she can almost be forgiven purely on the basis of her stellar performance alone.

5) Harry Connick Jr.

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As the only male on the list, alongside Bowie himself, smooth crooner Connick Jr. represented the ‘boys’ exceptionally well in COPYCAT. Silver-tongued Connick Jr. revealed a very nasty side when he played a serial killer who attacks Dr Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver), a criminal psychologist who’s an expert on his kind. He also appeared in MEMPHIS BELLE (1990) and LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT, and I’d like to see more of the talented actor that Connick Jr. is.

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