Famous Musicians Who Tried Acting and Flopped Miserably

Musicians often attempt to cross over into Hollywood to expand their brand and showcase their versatility as entertainers. While some succeed in carving out dual careers there are many who struggle to translate their stage presence to the silver screen. The history of cinema is filled with projects where chart-topping artists failed to connect with audiences or critics in their acting debuts. Studios frequently greenlight these vehicles based on star power rather than acting ability. The following list explores famous musicians who experienced significant setbacks when they stepped in front of the movie camera.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey took a leading role in the film ‘Glitter’ which was released in 2001 to almost universal derision. The movie follows the story of an aspiring singer named Billie Frank as she navigates the music industry in the 1980s. Critics panned the film for its cliché script and noted that Carey lacked the necessary emotional range for the dramatic scenes. The release coincided with personal struggles for the singer that impacted the promotional campaign. This project is frequently cited by film historians as one of the biggest critical and commercial failures in cinematic history.

Madonna

Madonna starred in the 2002 remake of ‘Swept Away’ directed by her then-husband Guy Ritchie. The film depicts a wealthy socialite who becomes shipwrecked on a deserted island with a communist sailor and eventually falls in love with him. Reviewers criticized the movie for the complete lack of chemistry between the leads and the unconvincing performance by the pop icon. It performed poorly at the box office and failed to recoup even a fraction of its production budget. The production won multiple Golden Raspberry Awards including Worst Picture and Worst Actress.

Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson made her film debut in ‘From Justin to Kelly’ shortly after winning the first season of ‘American Idol’. The musical romantic comedy was contractually obligated and rushed into production to capitalize on the show’s massive popularity. The plot involves two college students meeting during spring break in Fort Lauderdale and falling in love amidst various misunderstandings. Critics described the film as a thin excuse to sell a soundtrack and Clarkson herself has often joked about how terrible the movie is. It holds a very low rating on review aggregator sites and is considered a quintessential box office bomb.

Vanilla Ice

Vanilla Ice attempted to transition from rap stardom to movie leading man with the 1991 film ‘Cool as Ice’. He played a motorcycle-riding rapper who gets stranded in a small town and falls for a local girl. The movie was criticized for its weak plot and the visual style that seemed more like a long music video than a narrative feature. Audiences largely ignored the release and it quickly disappeared from theaters. The film effectively ended his brief attempt at a Hollywood acting career.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears starred in ‘Crossroads’ in 2002 at the height of her musical fame. The road trip movie follows three childhood friends who reconnect and travel across the country to find themselves. While the film was a moderate commercial success due to her fanbase critics were harsh regarding the script and her acting abilities. Many reviewers felt the movie relied too heavily on her singing persona rather than allowing her to develop a character. It remains her only major leading role in a feature film.

Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond starred in the 1980 remake of ‘The Jazz Singer’ which was intended to update the classic story for a new generation. He played a young Jewish cantor who defies his strict father to pursue a career in pop music. The film received scathing reviews for its melodramatic script and Diamond’s stoic performance. Despite the negative reception the soundtrack was a huge success and produced several hit songs. The movie itself however is often remembered as a misstep in his legendary career.

Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger played a mercenary in the 1992 sci-fi action film ‘Freejack’ alongside Emilio Estevez and Anthony Hopkins. The plot involves time travel and body snatching in a futuristic setting where the rich steal bodies to extend their lives. Critics found the plot nonsensical and felt that Jagger looked out of place in an action movie setting. His performance was described as distracting and he failed to bring his stage charisma to the character. The film was a box office disappointment and did not launch a significant acting career for the Rolling Stones frontman.

The Weeknd

The Weeknd co-created and starred in the television drama series ‘The Idol’ which premiered in 2023. He played a cult leader and nightclub owner who enters a complicated relationship with a troubled pop star. The show was met with intense criticism for its chaotic storytelling and graphic content that many viewers found gratuitous. His acting performance was widely mocked on social media for lacking nuance and intimidation. The series was cancelled after just one shortened season due to the negative reception.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift had a significant role in the 2019 film adaptation of the musical ‘Cats’. She played the character Bombalurina in a production that utilized controversial digital fur technology to transform the actors. The film was universally panned for its uncanny visual effects and confusing narrative structure. While Swift contributed an original song to the soundtrack her screen time was limited and could not save the film from disaster. It is often regarded as one of the strangest and least successful musical adaptations ever made.

Rihanna

Rihanna made her feature film debut in the 2012 sci-fi action movie ‘Battleship’ based on the board game. She played a weapons specialist on a naval destroyer fighting against an alien invasion fleet. Critics felt her character was one-dimensional and gave her little to do other than shout technical jargon and shoot guns. The film itself was a box office bomb that lost the studio a significant amount of money. She later received a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress for her performance.

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan starred as a reclusive rock star in the 1987 musical drama ‘Hearts of Fire’. The film centers on a washed-up musician who takes a young aspiring singer under his wing. The movie was criticized for its poor script and the lack of acting ability displayed by the legendary songwriter. It saw a very limited theatrical release and was quickly sent to video markets. Dylan himself largely distanced himself from the project after its release.

Prince

Prince directed and starred in ‘Under the Cherry Moon’ in 1986 following the massive success of ‘Purple Rain’. The black-and-white romantic comedy features him as a gigolo seeking a wealthy heiress on the French Riviera. Critics found the film self-indulgent and lacking the raw energy that made his previous movie a hit. The humor did not land with audiences and the movie flopped at the box office. It won five Golden Raspberry Awards including Worst Picture and Worst Director.

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney wrote and starred in the 1984 film ‘Give My Regards to Broad Street’. The plot follows a fictionalized version of himself as he tries to locate missing master tapes before a deadline. Critics complained that the movie was essentially a vanity project with a thin plot serving only to connect musical numbers. The acting was considered stiff and the narrative lacked tension or stakes. While the soundtrack was successful the film itself was a critical failure.

Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons played a villain in the 1984 science fiction film ‘Runaway’ starring Tom Selleck. He portrayed a sociopathic genius who creates killer robots to terrorize the city. Although the film has gained a small cult following critics at the time dismissed it as a boring thriller with subpar special effects. Simmons was criticized for his over-the-top performance that lacked genuine menace. It failed to establish the KISS bassist as a serious action star.

Jon Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi took the lead role in ‘Vampires: Los Muertos’ which was a sequel to a John Carpenter hit. He played a vampire hunter leading a team against the undead in Mexico. The movie was released directly to video and suffered from a low budget and a derivative script. Reviews highlighted that he lacked the grit and presence required for the horror-action genre. It remains a forgotten entry in his filmography compared to his music career.

50 Cent

50 Cent lost a significant amount of weight to play a football player with cancer in the film ‘All Things Fall Apart’. Despite his physical commitment to the role critics felt the movie was melodramatic and poorly written. His performance was seen as earnest but ultimately unable to carry the emotional weight of the story. The film bypassed theaters in many markets and went straight to video. It is often cited as an example of a musician trying too hard for Oscar recognition without the necessary material.

Lance Bass

Lance Bass starred in the romantic comedy ‘On the Line’ which was produced by his own company in 2001. The NSYNC member played a shy advertising employee trying to find a girl he met briefly on a train. The film was criticized for its predictable plot and the lack of charisma from the lead actor. It performed poorly at the box office despite the massive popularity of his boy band at the time. The failure of the movie halted his potential career as a romantic lead.

Ja Rule

Ja Rule starred alongside Steven Seagal in the 2002 action movie ‘Half Past Dead’. The film is set in a high-tech prison where a criminal mastermind attempts to extract information from an inmate. Critics panned the movie for its incoherent plot and terrible action sequences. Ja Rule was criticized for a performance that relied on stereotypes rather than acting skill. The film holds a rare zero percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes indicating universal dislike.

Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson played Daisy Duke in the 2005 film adaptation of ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’. While the movie made money at the box office her performance was largely reduced to her physical appearance. Critics felt she was not given much dialogue or character development beyond wearing the iconic denim shorts. Her acting was described as vacant and the film was panned for being a mindless comedy. She later appeared in other films that also received negative reviews before stepping away from acting.

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera starred alongside Cher in the 2010 musical drama ‘Burlesque’. She played a small-town girl with a big voice who finds her place in a neo-burlesque club in Los Angeles. While the musical numbers were praised her acting in the dramatic scenes was considered amateurish by critics. The script was criticized for being a collection of genre clichés without any originality. The film was a moderate commercial success but failed to launch a sustained acting career for the singer.

Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr starred in the 1981 slapstick comedy ‘Caveman’ which is set in prehistoric times. He played a misfit caveman who forms his own tribe and discovers music. The film relies heavily on physical comedy and a made-up language that audiences found tiresome. Critics dismissed it as a silly and forgettable B-movie that wasted the talent of its cast. It remains a strange footnote in the post-Beatles career of the drummer.

Machine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in the stoner comedy ‘Good Mourning’ in 2022. The film follows a movie star who spirals out of control after receiving a breakup text. It was ravaged by critics who called it unfunny and self-indulgent. The movie currently holds a zero percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes with reviewers citing the terrible acting and direction. It is considered one of the worst films released in recent years.

Chris Brown

Chris Brown starred in the 2013 dance drama ‘Battle of the Year’ as a troubled b-boy. The film follows an American breakdancing team trying to win a world championship in France. Critics praised the dance choreography but criticized the acting and the formulaic sports movie script. Brown was noted for having physical talent but lacking the dramatic chops to make his character likeable. The film was a box office disappointment and quickly faded from public memory.

The Bee Gees

The Bee Gees starred in the 1978 musical film ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. The movie attempted to weave the songs of The Beatles into a fantasy narrative without any dialogue. It was a critical and commercial disaster that was widely mocked for its bizarre tone and poor execution. The band members looked uncomfortable on screen and the film damaged their image during the height of disco. It is often considered one of the worst musical films ever made.

Peter Frampton

Peter Frampton starred alongside The Bee Gees in the ill-fated ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ movie. He played the character Billy Shears in a role that required him to sing but not speak. The film’s failure had a devastating effect on his career which had been skyrocketing after his live album. Critics felt he had no screen presence and looked lost throughout the production. The movie effectively halted his momentum as a major rock superstar.

Sting

Sting played the role of Baron Feyd-Rautha in the 1984 adaptation of ‘Dune’ directed by David Lynch. While the film has a cult following his performance is often remembered for a scene where he wears a winged speedo. He also starred in ‘The Bride’ which was a critical flop that attempted to retell the Frankenstein story. Critics generally found his acting to be stiff and lacking the nuance required for serious drama. He found more success in smaller cameo roles later in his career.

Usher

Usher starred in the 2005 crime comedy ‘In the Mix’ where he played a DJ who saves a mobster’s daughter. The film was criticized for its lack of chemistry between the romantic leads and a script that relied on tired stereotypes. Critics felt that Usher failed to display the charisma he possessed on stage. The movie performed poorly at the box office and was quickly pulled from theaters. It remains a rare misstep in the career of the R&B superstar.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg starred in the horror film ‘Bones’ in 2001 playing a murdered numbers runner who returns as a ghost. The movie attempted to pay homage to blaxploitation films of the past but failed to find an audience. Critics found the tone inconsistent and the horror elements largely ineffective. While Snoop Dogg has had many cameos playing himself this attempt at a serious lead role was not well received. The film was a box office disappointment.

Roger Daltrey

Roger Daltrey starred in the 1996 movie ‘Vampirella’ based on the comic book character. He played the villain Vlad in a production that was plagued by a low budget and cheap special effects. The film was criticized for its campy tone and poor performances from the entire cast. The Who frontman looked visibly out of place in the direct-to-video release. It is frequently included on lists of the worst comic book adaptations of all time.

Please share your thoughts on which musician gave the worst performance in the comments.