Who decided that actors can only act? Hollywood is packed with stars who cannot only deliver Oscar-worthy monologues but sing notes that can rival chart-topping artists. And yet, most of these talents lie dormant until a role or an impromptu talk show guest stint brings them out into the light.
From operatic surprise training to fronting rock bands, these actors demonstrate that versatility isn’t a buzzword it’s a career strength. Some have lent their voices on Broadway, others have issued albums, and some have surprised in musical movies by singing their own songs instead of lip-syncing. This compilation reviews the greatest surprises, finding the moments when fans thought, “Wait they can sing?”
Prepare yourself to relearn everything you believe about these stars, because their hidden musical skills might just become your new favorite thing about them.
1. Scarlett Johansson’s Indie Music Side
Years before lending her voice to the animated hit Sing, Scarlett Johansson experimented with the music scene with a short but intriguing recording career. She issued an album of Tom Waits covers and even collaborated with Pete Yorn. Although her screen achievements include a Tony Award and two concurrent Oscar nominations, her sultry, indie-pop vocals are a completely different artistic side. For the inquiring, her albums are still available to stream no porcupine from a cartoon film required.
2. Angelina Jolie’s Operatic Surprise
Angelina Jolie never dreamed of singing arias, but when she took operatic singing classes for Maria, she discovered a hidden talent. The Oscar-winning actress’s voice contained a sophisticated, classical sound even she wasn’t ready for. Though she hasn’t been music-bound in public, this hidden talent is an addition to her already extensive artistic arsenal.
3. Robert Pattinson’s Brooding Ballads
Maybe most famous for his introspective acting roles, Robert Pattinson also possesses a soulful, brooding singing voice. He sang two songs on the Twilight soundtrack, delivering raw, heartfelt performances that were as haunting as the films themselves. In the flesh, he’s been spotted singing at low-key shows, demonstrating his talent exists way beyond his movie career. And with Suki Waterhouse as his partner, musical talent in their pad is off the chart.
4. Emmy Rossum’s Operatic Training
Before Shameless made her a TV star, Emmy Rossum was classically trained as an opera singer. She proved it in the 2004 remake of The Phantom of the Opera, playing Christine with a voice that critics praised for its purity of sound and control. Her opera training gave her a vocal training that few people in Hollywood share, and she has since recorded her own albums blending pop and classical styles.
5. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Glee Moment
While some remember her more now for Goop than for drama, Gwyneth Paltrow’s guest spot on Glee reminded everyone of her singing talent. Her cover of “Forget You” was one of the show’s standout performances, offering charisma and powerful vocals. She even sang in the film Country Strong, proving she could deliver pop and country tunes with the best of them.
6. Joaquin Phoenix’s Johnny Cash Transformation
In Walk the Line, Joaquin Phoenix didn’t merely play Johnny Cash he sang every note himself. No easy task for a performer to follow Cash’s iconic baritone. Phoenix’s commitment paid off in an Oscar nomination and critical acclaim for capturing the spirit, not the sound, of music legend. It’s a perfect instance of how singing one’s own parts can raise a biopic performance above mimicry.
7. Kate Hudson’s Musical Talents
Kate Hudson’s playful karaoke scene in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days foreshadowed her talent, but her cameo on Glee confirmed it. She performed powerhouse tunes that showcased her range and authority. Raising her family with industry DNA, it was no wonder she could hold her own on the screen as well as in song.
8. Kevin Bacon’s Rock Band Credibility
Kevin Bacon isn’t an actor he’s half of The Bacon Brothers, a folk-rock duo he created with his brother Michael. They’ve been making music since 1995, playing hundreds of shows and gaining a loyal following. His earthy, sincere singing and guitar-playing abilities demonstrate that his musical career is not a celebrity sideline it’s a passion.
9. Daniel Radcliffe’s Broadway Voice
After Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe re-established himself on Broadway, singing parts that demanded vocally strong work. From How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying to Merrily We Roll Along, he’s demonstrated himself capable of singing nightly live. His work on stage even earned him a Tony Award, cementing his status as a legitimate multi-hyphenate actor.
These actors also remind us that talent may run deeper than the role they’re famous for. Whether they’re performing a show tune, ballad crooning, or performing with a band, their musical abilities bring another level of depth to their performances. For fans, it’s a thrill to witness these hidden abilities revealed and for the actors, it’s reassurance that creativity has no limits.
