Many actors have a passion for playing music. Perhaps this comes from the same love and talent for performing that inspired their acting. You might be surprised to learn that many actors have also performed in bands, taking that passion to the stage and recording studio. Some formed groups pre-fame and never abandoned their music. Others undoubtedly use their silver screen success to push side careers in music — sometimes with, let’s say, questionable results.
Whatever the case, exploring bands that have included a notable actor in their line-up yields some wild and wonderful results. Here are 30 movie stars who’ve given professional music a shot.
THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 0859 -- Pictured: Kevin Bacon during a performance of "Tom Petty T-Shirt" on April 26, 2018 -- (Photo by: Andrew Lipovsky/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
American band Tenacious D formed by american actor and singer Jack Black and musician Kyle Gass performs live on stage in Milan. Milan (Italy), February 19th, 2020 (Photo by Elena Di Vincenzo/Archivio Elena Di Vincenzo/Mondadori Portfolio)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 23: Michael Cera performs at The 100 Club on June 23, 2015 in London, United Kingdom (Photo by Burak Cingi/Redferns via Getty Images)
Chevy Chase in a scene from the film 'Cops And Robbersons', 1994. (Photo by TriStar Pictures/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 07: Kevin Costner and band perform at the Gibson Guitar tent during the 2008 Consumer Electronic Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center January 7, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/WireImage)
Russell Crowe performs on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Burbank, Ca. 8/16/01. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 13: Macaulay Culkin of The Pizza Underground performs on stage at Riot Fest Chicago 2014 at Humboldt Park on September 13, 2014 in Chicago, United States. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Redferns via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Johnny Depp of The Hollywood Vampires performs at The Greek Theatre on May 11, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 05: Actress/singer Zooey Deschanel of She and Him performs at the LA Times Celebration of Food & Wine at Paramount Studio on September 5, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for LA Times)
Richard Edson during 2005 Sundance Film Festival - "Stranger Than Paradise" Sundance Collection Screening at Egyptian Theatre in Park City, Utah, United States. (Photo by Rusty White/WireImage)
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 23: Jimena Fosado, Corey Feldman, and Courtney Anne Feldman of Corey Feldman And The Angels perform at The Masquerade on July 23, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris McKay/Getty Images)
LONDON - 1st AUGUST: Bill Macrae (left) and future comedian Ricky Gervais (right) from Seona Dancing posed together in a studio in London in August 1983. (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 04: Ryan Gosling of Dead Man's Bones performs at FYF fest 2010 at Los Angeles State Historic Park on September 4, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
Adrian Grenier and his band The Honey Brothers perform at the Orange Drive South Beach New Year's Festival on January 2, 2011 in Miami Beach, Florida.
NEWPORT, RI - JULY 27: Ian Riggs, Jake Tilove, and Ed Helms as The Lonesome Trio perform during the 2014 Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams State Park on July 27, 2014 in Newport, Rhode Island. (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)
QUEENS, NY - OCTOBER 01: LOLAWOLF performs onstage during The Meadows Music & Arts Festival Day 1 on October 1, 2016 in Queens, New York. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for The Meadows)
RHO, ITALY - SEP 8: Jared Leto of Thirty Seconds to Mars performs on stage during the 2018 Milano Rocks Festival at Experience Open Air Theatre on September 8, 2018 in Rho, Italy. (Photo by Sergione Infuso/Corbis via Getty Images)
Nme Awards, Hammersmith Palais, London, Britain - 17 Feb 2005, Juliette Lewis And The Licks (Photo by Brian Rasic/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 01: Steve Martin performs with Steep Canyon Rangers at The Largo at The Coronet on May 1, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Ezra Miller of Sons of an Illustrious Father performs at Omeara on December 08, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Burak Cingi/Redferns)
NEW YORK - AUGUST 21: Actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse appears on MTV's "TRL" in New York City's Times Square on August 21, 2007. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 07: Frankie Muniz of Kingsfoil performs onstage at The Emerson Theater on August 7, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joey Foley/Getty Images)
FT LAUDERDALE, FL - JANUARY 18: Jada Pinket Smith of Wicked Wisdom poses for photos at Club Revolution January 18, 2006 in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images)
Keanu Reeves and his band Dogstar, group portrait, Scotland, United Kingdom, 1996. (Photo by Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images)
Tim Robbins And The Rogues Gallery Band perform at Union Chapel, London, England- 30.09.10 (Photo by Rune Hellestad/Corbis via Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - APRIL 23: Comedian/actress Maya Rudolph (L) and vocalist Gretchen Lieberum perform onstage as part of the Prince cover band, Princess, during the Moontower Comedy Festival at The Paramount Theatre on April 23, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/WireImage)
Actor Jason Schwartzman photographed on Melrose has a new movie coming out in October Huckabes. (Photo by Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 26: (L-R) Musicians Michael Shannon, Robert Beitzel, David Wnorowski, Ray Rizzo and Jonathan Mastro attend Michael Shannon's Corporal in Concert at Cisero's Bar on January 26, 2016 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - JUNE 09: Danny Tamberelli attends 'From SNICK to Splat: Where Kids are King' during the ATX Television Festival at the Google Fiber Space on June 9, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/WireImage)
Billy Bob Thornton during Farm Aid 2003 - Backstage at Germaine Amphitheater in Columbus, Ohio, United States. ***Exclusive*** (Photo by R. Diamond/WireImage)
