You won’t believe which Hollywood A-listers swapped the silver screen for the stage! While some stars like Jennifer Lopez and Will Smith have successfully transitioned between acting and music, others… not so much. Sure, it’s admirable when they chase their musical dreams, but let’s be real—sometimes, the results are more “oh no” than “encore!”
Curious to see who failed in their attempt to conquer the charts? Let’s dive in! But beware, this list might make you rethink your favorite actor’s hidden talents.
1. Florence Pugh: From “Midsommar” to YouTube Covers?
Did you know before Florence Pugh became a big-screen sensation, she dabbled in singing under the name “Flossie Rose”? Yes, you read that right! The Little Women star used to post cover songs on YouTube, from The Lumineers to Oasis.
But here’s the kicker—despite her love for music, Florence admits she never really believed in her acting potential. “I would have put money on me being a singer far more than being an actor,” she confessed. Turns out, she didn’t need to—Hollywood disagreed, and her acting career took off like wildfire.
2. Gwyneth Paltrow: Goop Guru or Country Queen?
Wait, what? Gwyneth Paltrow, a country singer? Yup, after starring in Country Strong, she took a real liking to the genre. She even performed alongside country legend Vince Gill at the 2010 CMAs!
She even signed a record deal. So, what happened? The album never materialized, and the actress-turned-entrepreneur went back to promoting kale smoothies and crystals.
3. Joe Pesci: The Mobster with a Mic
Imagine this: It’s 1998, you’ve just watched My Cousin Vinny, and then you hear that Joe Pesci—yes, that Joe Pesci—has a new rap album out. The record was called Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings Just for You. It was… let’s say, an acquired taste.
With songs like “Take Your Love and Shove It,” the album was as wild as you’d expect. But here’s the twist—this wasn’t his first time at the mic. In the ’60s, he tried to be a pop singer. After this… experiment, Joe wisely returned to acting.
4. Alyssa Milano: A Pop Star… in Japan?
You might remember Alyssa Milano as the teenage star of Who’s the Boss?, but did you know she had a thriving pop career? There’s just one catch—it was only in Japan!
Why the international focus? Milano wasn’t keen on becoming a punchline in the U.S. “I’d much rather have it released where it’s appreciated than laughed at,” she said. And honestly, can you blame her?
5. Tom Felton: From Hogwarts to Heartstrings
When Harry Potter ended, Tom Felton didn’t just sit around waiting for his next acting gig. He picked up a guitar and started strumming. But his music career wasn’t exactly magical.
Felton released multiple EPs and even made TikTok songs like “Holding On,” but fans were… less than enchanted. One commenter even quipped, “Someone get him in a Hallmark movie quickly so he doesn’t release more music.” Ouch!
6. William Shatner: The King of Unintentional Comedy?
Buckle up, because this one’s a trip. In 1968, William Shatner released a spoken-word album called A Transformed Man. It featured a dramatic reading of Mr. Tambourine Man and a trippy cover of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Critics called it an “unintentional comedy classic.”
But that didn’t stop Shatner. He continued releasing albums for decades, collaborating with everyone from Iggy Pop to country artists. The verdict? His albums remain cult favorites, for better or worse.
7. Robert Downey Jr.: Iron Man… with a Mic?
Who would have guessed that Robert Downey Jr. once had a full-fledged music career? His debut album, The Futurist, hit shelves in 2004. Despite Iron Man’s incredible charisma, the album didn’t quite make the charts.
Critics found it “pretentious” and “dull,” but hey, at least RDJ gave it a shot! These days, he’s more content spending time with his family than writing moody ballads.
8. Scarlett Johansson: From Blockbuster to Indie Rock?
This one might surprise you. Scarlett Johansson’s love for music started way back—before she ever donned her Black Widow suit. She released Anywhere I Lay My Head in 2008, featuring covers of Tom Waits songs.
The reception? Mixed, to put it kindly. Critics either loved or loathed it, making it a polarizing record. Even so, she formed a band called The Singles in 2015, but a legal dispute cut that short.
9. Eddie Murphy: From Comedy Royalty to 80s Pop Icon?
Remember Party All the Time? If you do, you know that Eddie Murphy tried his hand at music in the ’80s. His hit song reached #2 on the Billboard charts—seriously!
But after a couple more albums that failed to replicate the same success, Murphy retreated back to his comfort zone—comedy. Even he admits, “the audience gets weirded out by it,” and frankly, he’s not wrong!
10. Bruce Willis: Die Hard on the Charts?
Long before he was jumping off buildings in Die Hard, Bruce Willis was singing the blues. His 1987 album, The Return of Bruno, even hit number 14 on the Billboard 200! Not too shabby, right?
But with follow-up albums that flopped, it’s safe to say his music career died harder than expected. These days, you’ll catch him on set, not on stage.
11. Jennifer Love Hewitt: A Teen Idol Turned Pop Star
Before she was the scream queen in I Know What You Did Last Summer, Jennifer Love Hewitt was releasing albums, starting with Love Songs in 1992. And get this—it was a hit… in Japan.
Her attempt to bring that success stateside didn’t work out quite as well. But hey, at least she gave us a ’90s classic with “How Do I Deal.” You’ve got to admire her persistence.
12. Lucy Hale: From Pretty Little Liars to Country Star?
Lucy Hale’s music dreams started long before her acting fame. As a teenager, she was even a finalist on American Juniors. She signed with Hollywood Records and released her debut country album, Road Between, in 2014.
The critics didn’t hate it, and fans seemed to love her sound. But when a tour cancellation and vocal strain derailed her plans, Lucy decided to focus on acting. Now, she’s more comfortable blending music into her acting projects than pursuing solo stardom.
Which Actor’s Musical Career Shocked You the Most?
Who knew that so many of Hollywood’s biggest names had such unexpected passions? Did any of these surprises make you question your favorite celeb’s talents? Tell us in the comments!
And if you want to see more hidden celebrity stories like this, don’t forget to share this article with your friends. You never know—maybe they’ll remember that one time Joe Pesci tried to rap!
Bottom line? When it comes to crossing over between acting and music, some stars are better off sticking to the screen. But you have to admire their guts, right?