Actors Who Are Secretly Musicians

Many prominent male actors possess musical talents that exist outside of their well-known film and television roles. These performers often lead double lives as touring musicians, band members, or professional recording artists across various genres. While some use music as a creative outlet between filming schedules, others have achieved significant commercial success and critical recognition in the music industry. From jazz and blues to indie rock and country, these actors demonstrate a wide range of instrumental and vocal proficiency. The following list highlights actors who have established legitimate musical careers alongside their Hollywood stardom.

Ryan Gosling

Beyond his acting career, Ryan Gosling is a member of the indie rock duo ‘Dead Man’s Bones’. Formed in 2007 with Zach Shields, the band released their self-titled debut album in 2009. Gosling contributed vocals, piano, and bass to the project, which famously featured the Silverlake Conservatory Children’s Choir. The group embarked on a tour that incorporated puppet shows and talent contests during their live performances. Despite the release of the album, the band has not produced a follow-up project in recent years.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves served as the bassist for the alternative rock band ‘Dogstar’ throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. The trio released two studio albums, ‘Our Little Visionary’ and ‘Happy Ending’, before going on an extended hiatus. In 2023, the band officially reunited to release their third album titled ‘Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees’. Reeves has frequently performed live with the group during international tours and major music festivals. His musical pursuits remain a consistent part of his creative output alongside his film work.

Jeff Goldblum

Jeff Goldblum has long maintained a professional career as a jazz pianist, leading his group ‘The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra’. The ensemble performs regularly at venues such as Los Angeles’ Rockwell Table & Stage and has toured globally. Goldblum signed with Decca Records and released his debut album, ‘The Capitol Studios Sessions’, in 2018. His follow-up albums, ‘I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This’ and ‘Plays Well with Others’, featured collaborations with various vocalists. He often incorporates improvisational comedy and storytelling into his musical performances.

Steve Martin

Steve Martin is a banjo player who has won multiple Grammy Awards for his musical contributions. While he initially used the instrument as a prop in his stand-up comedy, he eventually transitioned into a serious career in bluegrass. He has released several albums, including ‘The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo’, which earned him the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. Martin frequently tours and records with the band ‘The Steep Canyon Rangers’. He also collaborated with Edie Brickell on the musical ‘Bright Star’.

Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie is a classically trained pianist and singer who has released two successful blues albums. His debut record, ‘Let Them Talk’, was released in 2011 and showcased his interpretation of New Orleans blues standards. He followed this with ‘Didn’t It Rain’ in 2013, which explored a wider range of American roots music. Laurie has toured extensively across Europe and the Americas with ‘The Copper Bottom Band’. His musical style is characterized by a deep reverence for jazz and blues history.

Joe Keery

Joe Keery releases music under the moniker ‘Djo’, a project that explores psychedelic pop and synth-heavy sounds. Before his solo venture, he was a member of the Chicago-based psych-rock band ‘Post Animal’, contributing guitar and vocals. His debut solo album, ‘Twenty Twenty’, was released in 2019, followed by the critically acclaimed ‘Decide’ in 2022. The single ‘End of Beginning’ became a massive viral success, reaching high positions on global music charts. Keery continues to produce music independently of his high-profile television roles in series like ‘Stranger Things’.

Michael Cera

Michael Cera released an indie-folk solo album titled ‘True That’ in 2014. The album features a mix of instrumental tracks and vocal performances, highlighting his skills on the guitar and piano. Beyond his solo work, Cera served as the touring bassist for the indie rock supergroup ‘Mister Heavenly’. He also contributed bass and backing vocals to songs by the band ‘Weezer’. His musical contributions often mirror the understated and quirky nature of his cinematic characters.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp is a founding member of the rock supergroup ‘Hollywood Vampires’, alongside Alice Cooper and Joe Perry. The band was formed in 2015 to honor the music of rock stars who died from excess in the 1970s. Depp plays slide, rhythm, and lead guitar and provides backing vocals for the group’s studio albums and live tours. They have released two studio albums, including ‘Rise’, which features original material written by the band members. Depp has also collaborated as a guest guitarist with artists like ‘Oasis’ and ‘Marilyn Manson’.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba maintains a dual career as a professional DJ and rapper, performing under the names ‘DJ Big Driis’ and ‘7Dub’. He has performed at major music festivals like Coachella and frequently plays sets at high-profile clubs in Ibiza. Elba released the character-inspired album ‘Murdah Loves John’ in 2015, which complemented his work on the series ‘Luther’. He also founded his own record label, 7Wallace, to support emerging musical talent. His music often blends elements of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic house.

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon has been a member of ‘The Bacon Brothers’ alongside his brother Michael since 1995. The duo describes their sound as “Forosoco,” a blend of folk, rock, soul, and country influences. They have released over ten albums, including ‘Play’ and ‘The Way We Love’. The band tours regularly and has performed at iconic venues like the Grand Ole Opry. Bacon provides vocals and plays various instruments, including guitar and percussion, for the group.

Finn Wolfhard

Finn Wolfhard has led two different indie rock bands while maintaining his acting career in major franchises. He was the lead singer and guitarist for the band ‘Calpurnia’, which released the EP ‘Scout’ in 2018. Following the group’s dissolution, he formed ‘The Aubreys’, a duo that focuses on a mix of garage rock and psychedelic sounds. They released their debut full-length album, ‘Karaoke Alone’, in 2021. Wolfhard’s music has been featured on the soundtracks of several independent film projects.

Jack Black

Jack Black is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the comedic rock duo ‘Tenacious D’, formed in 1994 with Kyle Gass. The band achieved mainstream success with their self-titled debut album and the hit song ‘Tribute’. They later starred in the feature film ‘Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny’, which explored a fictionalized version of their origins. The group won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for their cover of the song ‘The Last in Line’. Black’s high-energy vocal style and acoustic guitar skills are central to the band’s identity.

Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has released several musical projects in recent years. In 2020, he released the EP ‘The Medicine’, followed shortly by ‘Live For Now’. His musical style blends rock and pop elements, featuring his soulful vocals and piano compositions. Renner has also contributed music to film soundtracks, including his performance in the movie ‘Arctic Dogs’. He often shares videos of himself playing various instruments in his home studio on social media.

Penn Badgley

Penn Badgley is the frontman for the Brooklyn-based indie pop band ‘MOTHXR’. The group released their debut album, ‘Centrefold’, in 2016 after recording tracks in various cities during Badgley’s filming breaks. Their sound is characterized by a blend of electronic, R&B, and synth-pop influences. Badgley provides lead vocals for the band, which has toured internationally and performed at several high-profile music festivals. He has stated that music serves as a significant creative outlet outside of his work in television series like ‘You’.

Jared Leto

Jared Leto is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter for the rock band ‘Thirty Seconds to Mars’. Formed in 1998 with his brother Shannon Leto, the band has released several platinum-selling albums including ‘A Beautiful Lie’ and ‘This Is War’. They have won numerous MTV Video Music Awards and held a Guinness World Record for the longest concert tour by a rock band. Leto often directs the band’s music videos under the pseudonym Bartholomew Cubbins. The group continues to release new material and perform at major global music festivals.

Dennis Quaid

Dennis Quaid is the frontman for the rock and roll band ‘Dennis Quaid & The Sharks’, which he formed in 2000. The group performs a mix of original songs and covers of classic rock tracks by artists like Jerry Lee Lewis. They released their debut studio album, ‘Out of the Box’, in 2018 after performing live for nearly two decades. Quaid provides lead vocals and plays acoustic guitar during the band’s energetic live sets. The band has toured extensively across the United States, performing at various festivals and charity events.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. released a full-length studio album titled ‘The Futurist’ in 2004. The jazz-pop record features eight original songs written by the actor, as well as several cover tracks. Downey Jr. provides lead vocals and plays the piano on the album, showcasing a different side of his artistic talent. While he has not released a follow-up album, he has contributed vocals to the soundtracks of films like ‘The Singing Detective’. His musical background remains a lesser-known aspect of his career in the film industry.

Caleb McLaughlin

Caleb McLaughlin has parlayed his success on the series ‘Stranger Things’ into a budding career as an R&B artist. He released his debut single, ‘Neighborhood’, in 2021, followed by tracks such as ‘Soul Travel’. McLaughlin often choreographs his own music videos, utilizing the dance training he received earlier in his career. His music focuses on contemporary R&B sounds and personal lyrical themes. He continues to record and release new music between filming commitments for major television and film projects.

Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe has been involved in the music industry since the 1980s, performing under the name Russ le Roq. He later formed the rock band ’30 Odd Foot of Grunts’, serving as the lead singer and guitarist for several years. Following that project, he collaborated with musician Alan Doyle in the band ‘The Ordinary Fear of God’. Crowe has released multiple albums, including ‘Gaslight’ and ‘My Hand, My Heart’, and continues to perform live shows globally. His music often features folk and rock influences with lyrics focused on personal experiences.

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland transitioned into a music career with the release of his debut country album, ‘Down in a Hole’, in 2016. He followed this with ‘Reckless & Me’ in 2019, which reached high positions on the UK country charts. Sutherland is the co-founder of Ironworks, an independent record label he started to support diverse musical artists. He tours extensively with his band, performing at major venues and festivals such as Glastonbury. His songwriting is heavily influenced by traditional outlaw country and Americana themes.

Share which of these talented actor-musicians has your favorite sound in the comments.