The 20 Absolute Worst Actors-Turned-Musicians

Many actors have tried their hand at music, with varying degrees of success. While some scored a one-hit wonder, others released entire albums, and a few even gained a dedicated fanbase despite negative reviews. This list highlights well-known actors whose music careers didn’t quite match their success in film and television. We’ll cover details about their releases, the music genres they explored, and how those recordings were received, allowing you to compare their on-screen fame with their musical efforts.

Steven Seagal

As a movie fan, I always found it fascinating when Steven Seagal decided to pursue music. He really shifted gears from those action films and started making albums – surprisingly, they were rooted in blues and reggae, with these cool, laid-back guitar sounds. He clearly worked with some talented musicians and singers to make the recordings sound professional. Everyone was curious because of who he was, but honestly, his music didn’t really catch on with mainstream radio. He kept performing live around the world – his name still meant something to a lot of people – but his music career never quite reached the same heights as his films.

Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis made music, recording cover songs and soulful tracks while he was famous for his roles in TV and movies. The recordings featured talented studio musicians and energetic horn sections, creating a sound reminiscent of a lively bar band. Although his initial releases gained some attention on variety shows and MTV, sales declined as people lost interest in him as a musician. He struggled to maintain success with subsequent albums when the public’s focus returned to his acting career.

William Shatner

As a film and music fan, I’ve always found William Shatner’s music career fascinating. He didn’t really sing songs so much as dramatically interpret them – taking well-known rock and pop tunes and delivering them as spoken-word performances. He’d work with some really talented producers and guitarists who’d reimagine the songs around his delivery. His albums weren’t huge chart-toppers, but they became these weird, wonderful cult hits that everyone talked about. It always felt less about the music itself and more about him performing it – a unique kind of performance art, really. It definitely kept him relevant and in the public eye!

David Hasselhoff

David Hasselhoff was very popular in Europe, especially for his catchy pop songs. While his TV fame brought large audiences to his concerts there, his singles didn’t consistently chart well in the US. His albums featured big, synth-heavy sounds that quickly felt outdated as music tastes changed. He continued to tour regularly, but critics often noted his songs lacked depth and relied on predictable melodies.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan’s pop and dance albums came out while she was receiving a lot of attention from the tabloids. These albums included well-known producers and catchy songs designed for teenagers. While they initially sold well, sales decreased as promotion slowed down. Later attempts to release singles didn’t gain much radio play, and her future music projects were put on hold as she focused more on acting in movies and TV shows.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton’s music career began with upbeat singles designed for clubs, culminating in a polished pop album. While the first song became popular in nightclubs and benefited from strong remixes, later releases didn’t achieve the same success outside of dance music circles. The project focused more on stylish visuals and leveraging her celebrity than developing a consistent artistic style. Though she occasionally released new songs, they mostly generated news headlines rather than lasting popularity on streaming services.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson also explored a career in music, creating atmospheric indie pop that often featured covers. Her sound leaned heavily on echoey vocals and dreamy guitars. While critics appreciated the music’s arrangements, they often felt the vocals didn’t quite match the ambitious ideas behind it. Her music releases were successful enough, but didn’t reach the same level of popularity as her acting work, remaining a secondary focus in her career.

Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner released several EPs and an album featuring emotionally resonant, mid-tempo songs, often reminiscent of movie soundtracks. The production focused on building dramatic, sweeping sounds with clear guitar work, potentially for use in film and television. While the music received some promotion and visibility through live performances and social media, it didn’t achieve widespread popularity or chart success.

Russell Crowe

Okay, so you probably know Russell Crowe as a movie star, but before and alongside that, he was a musician. He fronted several bands that played a really solid, heartland rock style – think singalong tunes perfect for a pub. They actually put out quite a few albums and toured consistently, hitting venues in Australia, New Zealand, and a few spots in the US. Honestly, the reviews were usually pretty consistent: he’s a really genuine performer, but the songwriting itself? It was competent, but rarely anything groundbreaking. He definitely built a loyal fanbase, especially locally, but his music career always stayed pretty far under the radar compared to his success in film.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves was once the bassist for a rock band that played clubs and released music during the 1990s, after the grunge scene faded. They managed to open for some bigger bands and even played on late-night TV a few times. While critics thought their songs were good, they weren’t particularly original, which made it hard to get played on the radio. Eventually, the band took a break as Keanu focused more on his acting career, leaving behind a small but noticeable mark on the music scene of that era.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp teamed up with experienced musicians to create blues rock and cover albums, focusing on impressive guitar work and a retro sound. These projects attracted audiences eager to see a famous actor performing alongside well-known musicians. Although the concerts were visually exciting, the albums mostly featured familiar songs and didn’t receive much critical praise. When people streamed the music, they mostly listened to the songs featuring famous collaborators, rather than Depp’s original compositions.

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon created a roots rock duo known for its lyrical storytelling and acoustic sound. They toured consistently, developing a loyal fanbase in smaller concert halls. While they released albums regularly, they didn’t achieve mainstream chart success. The band continued thanks to dedicated fans and a strong stage presence, remaining a beloved act outside of mainstream pop music.

Corey Feldman

Corey Feldman’s music combined catchy dance-pop, rock influences, and dramatic flair, often showcased in elaborate live shows. While his performances frequently went viral, this attention didn’t lead to lasting album sales or radio play. His albums included collaborations with other artists and focused on overarching themes, which sometimes left listeners split on whether they liked the work. Ultimately, Feldman is remembered more for his memorable performances and online buzz than consistent success on the music charts.

Don Johnson

Don Johnson successfully transitioned from acting into music, creating a smooth, adult contemporary style characterized by powerful ballads and polished guitar work. While his first single was a major hit, subsequent releases didn’t achieve the same popularity. Later albums sold less well as music tastes changed, and his work now primarily represents the sound of its time rather than a consistently popular collection of songs.

Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy leveraged his fame and industry relationships to record R&B and pop songs. While one of his first singles was successful, his albums overall didn’t maintain that popularity. Reviews often criticized his songs for lacking substance and sounding overly polished. He wasn’t able to consistently get his music played on the radio or featured on streaming services after that initial hit.

Kevin Costner

Kevin Costner’s music with his band focused on storytelling through songs and was designed for live performances. They toured extensively, playing at fairs and theaters, and attracted fans of both Americana music and his films. While their music received some local radio play, it didn’t achieve widespread success on the national country charts. They built a following as a strong live act, but remained on the fringes of the mainstream country music scene.

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra recorded pop songs in English, working with well-known producers and artists. She released singles aimed at international audiences, complete with club remixes and polished music videos. While these songs received significant promotion, they didn’t consistently succeed on American radio. Eventually, she focused more on smaller, strategic music appearances and returned to building her career primarily through acting.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson started her career with a teen pop album, performing on radio and at malls to promote it. While the album got some play in certain areas, it didn’t become a national hit. She then decided to focus on acting, occasionally posting acoustic performances online. The album is now mostly remembered as an early example of her songwriting.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix once created and performed as a rap artist as part of an art project that intentionally mixed fact and fiction. His live shows got a lot of attention, though audiences had varying reactions. The music wasn’t widely released or played on the radio, and after the project’s purpose was revealed, very little of it remained available to listen to.

Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke made music that was rock-focused, featuring raw vocals and simple, direct guitar work. He released songs infrequently, often connecting them to his films or personal endeavors. Because he didn’t tour regularly or have strong record label support, his music didn’t gain widespread popularity, and remained a side project to his successful acting career.

Let us know your favorite actor-turned-musician in the comments, and tell us who surprised you the most with their music!

2025-11-02 01:49