Actors are trained to use their voices. To speak. To speak other people's words, in fact. And get paid handsomely to do just that. Still, some actors absolutely insist on taking that ego-driven side road towards musical glory.
Thankfully, though, not all of these efforts are in vain. For every Paris Hilton, Eddie Murphy and Crispin Glover, there are a few exceptions. Those actors who have successfully (either artistically or commercially) made the leap from silver screen idol to recording artist.
Below, we count off a few who have – through natural talent or determination – developed the cred necessary for a sustained career as a musician, just in case Hollywood doesn't work out.
Minnie Driver
Who: You may know her from her Oscar-nominated turn in the film Good Will Hunting, or her Emmy-nominated role on The Riches. However, music fans may discover a hidden gem with Minnie Driver's second album, Seastories. Released in 2007, the album puts Driver's vocals on display, and features some high-profile guests, namely Liz Phair and Ryan Adams.
Compare to: Suzanne Vega.
Recommended track: "Beloved."
Kevin Costner
Who: The Oscar-winning actor, producer and director has starred in Field of Dreams, Dances With Wolves and Waterworld, and will make his big screen return in the forthcoming Superman film, Man of Steel. Following his wife's advice, Kevin Costner pursued his love of country music and founded a band – the Modern West – in 2006. The band has released a trio of albums, including Famous For Killing Each Other, a pretty great soundtrack for the recent History Channel miniseries Hatfields & McCoys.
Compare to: John Cougar.
Recommended track: "Superman 14."
Russell Crowe
Who: He's been a gladiator and boxer and will soon be seen on screen portraying both Noah (in Darren Aronofsky's film about the man with the ark) and Superman's father, but in between blockbusters Russell Crowe pursues his passion for roots-rock. His band, Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts, often features his Canadian collaborator, Alan Doyle, frontman of Great Big Sea. The duo shares songwriting credits on each other's most recent recordings.
Compare to: Bob Seger.
Recommended track: "Testify."
Juliette Lewis
The Juliette Lewis we see on screen clearly holds back. Juliette Lewis, the rock star, does not. The actor, best known for roles in Natural Born Killers and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, has fronted a pair of rock bands: first, the Jicks, who broke up in 2009, and then the New Romantiques. She still performs with the latter, but prefers to use her own name.
Compare to: Joan Jett.
Recommended track: "Hardly Wait."
Ryan Gosling
Who: Toronto's Ryan Gosling is in the process of putting Hollywood in the palm of his hand, but his start began at the same place as Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake: The Mickey Mouse Club. Gosling continues to trade on his musical upbringing as the singer/composer behind Dead Man Bones, a pop-goth outfit based in Los Angeles.
Compare to: Islands.
Recommended track: "Werewolf Heart"
Jared Leto
Who: It's safe to say that Jared Leto is now known better for his music than his acting. The 40-year-old started out on TV's My So-Called Life, and went on to films including Panic Room and Fight Club. Then he started making music. Since 2003, Leto's band has produced three records, which have sold over eight million copies worldwide.
Compare to: My Chemical Romance.
Recommended track: "From Yesterday."
Scarlett Johansson
Who: From serving as muse to Woody Allen and fighting crime in the biggest comic book film of all time, Scarlett Johansson is well positioned on Hollywood's A-list. However, she is also all about the music. In recent years, Johansson has collaborated with singer-songwriter Pete Yorn, put out an album of Tom Waits covers and contributed to a recent tribute to the music of Serge Gainsbourg at the request of his son, Lulu.
Compare to: Lana Del Rey.
Recommended track: "Clean" (ft. Pete Yorn).
Zooey Deschanel
Who: What would this list be without Zooey Deschanel? Sacrosanct, for many, as Deschanel has brought some credibility to the actor-singer. Whether singing in (all of?) her films, to putting out acclaimed, hipster-proof albums with M. Ward as the duo She & Him, Deschanel has the hipster-actress-singer-songwriter down to a science.
Compare to: Meaghan Smith.
Recommended track: "Don't Look Back."
Steve Martin
Who: OK, time to get serious. To say this wild and crazy guy is good at banjo is like saying Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a funny movie. Both, of course, are vast understatements. Steve Martin is more than adept on the banjo, and has performed with legendary virtuosos (Earl Scruggs, Bela Fleck). He's won Grammy Awards with his group, the Steep Canyon Rangers, and is easily the greatest musician on this list. And yes, he sings – quite well, too.
Compare to: Roy Clark.
Recommended track: "Jubilation Day."
Related:
Q&A: Patrick Doyle on his Celtic score for Pixar's new film, Brave
Batman's musical history: from the '60s to the Dark Knight Rises
John Williams: five things you probably don't know about the composer