Mary Murphy
15 Actors Who Will Surprise You With Their Singing Talent
Hollywood is full of surprises, and some of the biggest come when actors open their mouths to sing. Many stars who became famous for their acting skills also have incredible voices that could rival professional musicians.
Whether belting out show tunes on Broadway or recording hit albums, these talented performers prove they can do it all. Get ready to discover actors whose singing abilities might just blow your mind.
1. Hugh Jackman
Broadway was basically built for someone like Hugh Jackman, whose powerful voice has filled theaters around the world.
This Australian superstar started his career in musical theater before becoming Wolverine, and he never forgot his roots.
His performance in Les Misérables showcased his emotional singing range to movie audiences everywhere.
Jackman has hosted the Tony Awards multiple times, always delivering show-stopping musical numbers.
He earned a Tony Award for his role in The Boy from Oz, playing singer Peter Allen.
His Greatest Showman soundtrack became a global phenomenon, with songs people still can’t stop singing.
What makes his talent remarkable is how effortlessly he switches between gritty action roles and elegant musical performances.
2. Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway’s rendition of I Dreamed a Dream in Les Misérables left audiences sobbing in theaters worldwide.
She sang live on set, capturing raw emotion that earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Before Hollywood fame, Hathaway performed in theater productions and always maintained her vocal training.
Her voice carries a haunting quality that perfectly suits dramatic ballads and emotional storytelling.
She also showed her comedic singing chops hosting Saturday Night Live multiple times with hilarious musical sketches.
Hathaway studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where vocal performance was essential.
Critics praised how she transformed into Fantine through song, making every note feel genuine and heartbreaking.
3. Ryan Gosling
Few people realize Ryan Gosling was once in a boy band before his acting career took off.
He sang and danced alongside Justin Timberlake on The Mickey Mouse Club as a kid.
His role in La La Land reminded everyone that this heartthrob can carry a tune beautifully.
Gosling performed all his own vocals in the Oscar-winning musical, earning a nomination for Best Actor.
His voice has a smooth, jazzy quality that fits perfectly with romantic ballads and nostalgic melodies.
He also played guitar and piano for the film, showcasing multiple musical talents.
The chemistry between his singing and Emma Stone’s created movie magic that audiences adored.
His musical abilities added authentic charm to his character.
4. Jensen Ackles
Television’s supernatural hunter Jensen Ackles possesses a surprisingly soulful singing voice that fans discovered gradually.
Throughout Supernatural’s 15-year run, his character occasionally sang, revealing genuine musical talent.
Ackles grew up in Texas with a love for classic rock and country music.
He’s performed covers of songs like Whipping Post and Simple Man that showcase his rich, gravelly tone.
His voice carries the weight of blues and rock influences, giving performances an authentic edge.
Ackles has sung at conventions, delighting fans with acoustic guitar performances.
Many viewers were shocked that the tough demon-hunter could deliver such emotionally resonant vocals.
His musical moments became beloved highlights throughout the long-running series, adding unexpected depth to his character.
5. Zendaya
Starting as a Disney Channel star, Zendaya proved her vocal abilities early in her career.
She released pop albums and performed on concert tours before transitioning to more dramatic acting roles.
Her performance in The Greatest Showman demonstrated how her voice matured into something truly spectacular.
Zendaya’s singing on Rewrite the Stars became one of the film’s most popular songs, showcasing impressive range.
She handles both powerful belting notes and delicate, emotional phrasing with equal skill.
Her background in musical theater training shows in her technical precision and stage presence.
Beyond movies, she’s performed at major events and award shows, always delivering polished vocals.
Her talent continues evolving as she takes on increasingly complex roles.
6. Russell Crowe
Before Russell Crowe became a gladiator or a detective, he fronted a rock band in Australia called 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.
His musical career spans decades, though many only discovered his singing when he starred in Les Misérables.
While his vocals received mixed reviews for that role, his passion for music remains undeniable.
Crowe’s voice has a rough, authentic quality that suits rock and folk music particularly well.
He’s released multiple albums and continues performing with his band, now called The Ordinary Fear of God.
His singing style emphasizes storytelling over technical perfection.
Music remains a serious hobby for Crowe, who writes his own songs and performs regularly when not filming.
7. Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson’s sultry, distinctive voice translates beautifully into singing, though many fans don’t know about her musical projects.
She released two albums, including one featuring Tom Waits covers that showcased her unique vocal style.
Her voice carries a smoky, jazz-club quality that makes everything sound intimate.
Johansson formed a band called The Singles and performed at various venues around the world.
She’s also collaborated with other musicians on special projects and soundtracks.
Her singing in the animated film Sing demonstrated her ability to handle upbeat pop songs too.
Critics have praised her unconventional approach to music, noting how her acting skills enhance her vocal performances with emotional depth and character.
8. Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton stunned the world by singing all of Elton John’s songs himself in the biopic Rocketman.
His voice so closely matched the legendary singer’s style that many assumed he was lip-syncing to original recordings.
Egerton trained extensively to capture Elton’s vocal mannerisms and emotional delivery.
He earned a Golden Globe for his performance, with critics praising both his acting and singing equally.
The Rocketman soundtrack topped charts worldwide, proving his vocals could stand alone as legitimate recordings.
Egerton’s range allows him to hit the high notes and powerful belts that Elton John’s catalog demands.
His transformation into the music icon required months of vocal coaching and piano lessons, demonstrating serious dedication.
9. Jeremy Renner
Action star Jeremy Renner has a completely different side that involves guitars, microphones, and songwriting.
He’s released original music and performs regularly, with a style rooted in folk and rock traditions.
Renner plays multiple instruments and writes deeply personal songs about his life experiences.
His voice has a weathered, authentic quality that suits introspective lyrics and acoustic arrangements perfectly.
Fans discovered his musical talent through social media, where he shares performances and studio recordings.
Renner has stated that music provides creative fulfillment that acting sometimes cannot.
He’s performed at small venues and charity events, preferring intimate settings over massive concerts.
His dedication to music remains strong despite his demanding film schedule and recent recovery.
10. Emma Stone
Emma Stone’s singing in La La Land earned her an Academy Award and revealed a voice many didn’t know existed.
She trained extensively for the role, working with vocal coaches to develop the breathy, emotional style her character required.
Stone actually started performing in musical theater as a child in Arizona.
Her rendition of Audition (The Fools Who Dream) became the film’s emotional centerpiece, showcasing vulnerable, heartfelt vocals.
Stone’s voice isn’t technically perfect, but it carries genuine emotion that connects deeply with audiences.
She also sang in Cabaret on Broadway, proving her stage chops extend beyond film.
Critics noted how her acting abilities enhanced her singing, making every lyric feel authentic and lived-in rather than simply performed.
11. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s musical talents emerged gradually throughout his career, surprising fans who knew him from comedies and dramas.
He sang and danced impressively in 500 Days of Summer during a fantasy musical sequence.
His voice has a smooth, pleasant quality that works well for both pop and indie-style songs.
Gordon-Levitt showcased more extensive singing in the holiday special A Very Murray Christmas alongside Bill Murray.
He plays guitar and piano, often incorporating music into his creative projects through his online platform HitRecord.
His musical performances always feel natural and unforced.
He’s collaborated with various musicians on unique projects, blending his acting creativity with genuine musical appreciation.
Gordon-Levitt approaches singing with the same thoughtful artistry he brings to acting.
12. Jared Leto
Jared Leto leads the rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, selling millions of albums and touring stadiums worldwide.
His commitment to music equals his dedication to acting, with many fans knowing him primarily as a musician.
Leto’s voice carries impressive range, from soft falsetto to powerful rock screams.
The band has won numerous music awards and built a devoted fanbase through constant touring and innovative albums.
Leto writes most of the songs, pouring personal experiences and philosophical themes into the lyrics.
His stage presence combines theatrical elements with genuine rock star energy.
Music isn’t a side project for Leto but rather a parallel career he pursues with equal intensity and artistic vision throughout decades.
13. Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt’s singing in Into the Woods shocked audiences who only knew her from dramatic and action roles.
She delivered complex Stephen Sondheim songs with precision and emotional depth, earning critical acclaim.
Blunt trained in musical theater during her youth in England before pursuing film acting.
Her performance in Mary Poppins Returns further demonstrated her vocal abilities, handling both whimsical and heartfelt songs beautifully.
Blunt’s voice has a clear, classical quality that suits musical theater perfectly.
She performed all her own singing in both films without vocal doubles or heavy production tricks.
Directors praised her musicality and ability to act through song, making every number advance the story rather than just showcase talent.
14. Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. has been singing and playing piano since childhood, though his musical talents often get overshadowed by his acting fame.
He released an album called The Futurist in 2004, showcasing his jazzy, crooner-style voice.
Downey’s musical abilities frequently appear in his films, including singing moments in Iron Man and other projects.
His voice carries a smooth, vintage quality reminiscent of old Hollywood performers and classic jazz singers.
Downey plays multiple instruments and often improvises musical moments on set.
He’s performed at various events and charity functions, always displaying confident stage presence.
Music remains a personal passion that he pursues for creative satisfaction rather than commercial success or public attention throughout his remarkable career.
15. Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore started as a pop singer before transitioning into acting, but many younger fans only know her from This Is Us.
Her early albums produced hit songs that dominated radio in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Moore’s voice matured beautifully over the years, gaining depth and emotional resonance.
She voiced and sang for Rapunzel in Disney’s Tangled, introducing her vocals to a new generation.
The song I See the Light became a beloved Disney classic, showcasing her grown-up singing style.
Moore continues releasing music alongside her acting career, with recent albums receiving critical praise.
Her journey from teen pop star to respected singer-songwriter demonstrates genuine artistic growth and dedication to her musical craft throughout decades.
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