Musicians Who Have Jumped From the Stage to the Screen: Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift & More

Though they may have started as musicians, many of the world’s biggest stars have also adapted their performance abilities for the screen.

Some simply dabble in Hollywood, dipping their toes into acting as a hobby or making cameos in projects to boost a cast list with their star power. Others take it as seriously as they do their music, making it an equal or greater focus of their careers in the long run.

And for a few triple-threat A-listers, the mediums go hand in hand. Take Lady Gaga, for instance, whose film roles – Ally in 2018’s A Star Is Born, Harley Quinn in 2024’s Joker: Folie à Deux – have required her to flex her singing and piano-playing skills while delivering emotional, dynamic performances in character. Taylor Swift sang and danced in the 2019 screen adaptation of Cats alongside her castmates, as well as penned an original tune for the project alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber. Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson both served up stunning vocals for 2006’s Dreamgirls movie-musical, while Prince’s self-directed 1984 flick Purple Rain went hand-in-hand with his iconic album of the same name.

No matter how lengthy or prestigious the credits on their IMDb pages are, however, it’s true that musicians are often naturally suited for acting in front of a camera. Both art forms involve charisma, presentation and the ability to thrive under the spotlight – so it’s no wonder why so many big names in music have been able to successfully cross over into the film and TV spaces.

Keep reading to see photos of stars who’ve proven they can do it all, plus some of their biggest roles, below.