14 Actors Who Also Have Successful Music Careers

When we think of Hollywood’s biggest actors, we often picture red carpets and gripping performances, but many stars shine just as brightly in the music world. This unique blend of acting and musicianship has given fans even more to love, whether it’s a chart-topping album or a hidden talent revealed on stage. From fronting rock bands to leading orchestras, these multi-talented celebrities continue to amaze and inspire with their creativity on both screen and stage.

Johnny Depp

Known for his unforgettable turn as Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp is also a dynamic musician. He brings the same intensity to the stage as a guitarist and collaborator in the supergroup Hollywood Vampires, formed with Alice Cooper and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, Rolling Stone reports.

Kevin Costner

Acclaimed actor and director Kevin Costner is equally passionate about music. He leads his band, Kevin Costner & Modern West, an Americana and rock band he founded in 2007, per Bandcamp.

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling charmed audiences in La La Land, but long before that, he co-founded the goth-folk band Dead Man’s Bones with Zach Shields, releasing their debut self-titled album in 2009 on ANTI- Records, according to Biography. His creative contributions show that his talents reach far beyond the camera’s lens.

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon performs as half of The Bacon Brothers with his sibling, Michael Bacon, a duo that has spent decades creating their own mix of folk, rock, soul, and country, performing at iconic venues from Carnegie Hall to the Grand Ole Opry, as reported by The Bacon Brothers.

Jessica Pimentel

As Maria Ruiz on Orange Is the New Black, Jessica Pimentel brought depth to the screen. Off-screen, she’s the lead vocalist and recording guitarist for the New York-based death metal band Alekhine’s Gun, a role she has held since 2010, per Rolling Stone.

Zooey Deschanel

With her signature charm, Zooey Deschanel leads the indie-folk project She & Him alongside M. Ward, a duo formed in 2006 after the pair were first brought together to record a duet for a film soundtrack, according to NPR. In May, the duo announced their first tour in 4 years, with 8 stops across the United States, per Consequence.

Ed Helms

Comedian and actor Ed Helms is more than just the funny guy; he’s also an accomplished banjo player and bluegrass enthusiast who plays in his band The Lonesome Trio and co-created The Bluegrass Situation festival in Los Angeles to promote roots music, as reported by Billboard.

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Renowned for her film and TV career, Jennifer Love Hewitt has also released albums and successful singles, with her music career beginning when she originally moved to Hollywood to pursue singing before acting, per ABC News.

Steve Martin

Beneath the comedic façade, Steve Martin is a Grammy-winning banjo virtuoso and bluegrass artist whose 2009 debut music album, The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo, won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2010, according to Wide Open Country.

Kiefer Sutherland

While most recognize Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, he tours with his band, delivering Americana-influenced sets. He released his debut album, Down in a Hole, in 2016, per KieferSutherland.com. His second album, Reckless & Me, landed in the top 10 on the UK Albums Chart, according to the outlet.

Jack Black

Jack Black is synonymous with Tenacious D, the comedy rock duo formed in Los Angeles in 1994 by Black and Kyle Gass, per IMDb. The duo signed with Epic Records in 2000 and, in 2001, they released their debut album, which featured Dave Grohl on drums, according to the outlet.

Jeff Daniels

Respected for both drama and comedy, Jeff Daniels wows audiences on the folk music circuit, having written songs and played guitar for more than 30 years while recording and touring alongside his acting career, according to NPR.

Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton balances film stardom with fronting the rock group The Boxmasters, which he helped form in 2007 and whose genre is classified as rockabilly blues, as reported by Shepherd Express.

Keanu Reeves

International superstar Keanu Reeves shows his musical side as bassist for the alt-rock band Dogstar, which formed in the 90s, per NPR. In 2023, the band returned to the stage after a 20-year hiatus, as reported by ABC News.