Times Rockstars Tried Acting & Shouldn’t Have
Rockstars don’t just know how to shred guitars or belt out anthems. They sometimes believe they can own Hollywood, too. Some tried acting, and the results were anything but legendary. From awkward scenes that make you cringe to moments so bad you might wonder if plumbing was a better career choice, these musicians stepped in front of the camera and, well, let’s just say it wasn’t their finest hour. Whether flubbing lines or overacting, they gave it a shot. Get ready to laugh and cringe at the many times rock legends tried acting and probably should have stuck to the music.
Prince’s Musical Acting Style
Prince’s iconic presence lit up Purple Rain, although his acting leaned more musical than dramatic.
Juliette Lewis’s Successful Transition
Juliette Lewis made a successful transition from music to acting with a respected role in Natural Born Killers.
Lenny Kravitz’s Bright and Wobbly
Lenny Kravitz had shining moments in The Hunger Games mixed with a few wobbly takes.
Chris Cornell’s Depth With Hiccups
Chris Cornell added depth to Singles, though natural ease on screen wasn’t always his strong suit.
Rob Zombie’s Behind-the-Scenes Strength
Rob Zombie felt more at home behind the camera, while his acting in The Devil’s Rejects was a bit off-key.
Kid Rock’s Awkward Screen Time
Kid Rock’s tough-guy persona didn’t translate well in Joe Dirt, resulting in an awkward on-screen vibe.
Jon Bon Jovi’s Stage vs Screen
Jon Bon Jovi gave it his best shot in U-571, even though his acting couldn’t quite match his stage presence.
Iggy Pop’s Concert-Like Acting
Iggy Pop’s wild spirit in Cry-Baby made the movie feel more like a concert than a drama.
Alice Cooper’s Theatrical Flare
Alice Cooper brought theatrical flair to Prince of Darkness, although the acting was surface-level at best.
Elvis Presley’s Charm vs Acting
Elvis Presley’s charm carried Jailhouse Rock despite some scenes feeling slightly off-key.
Mick Jagger’s Mixed Charisma
Mick Jagger’s charisma shone through Performance, while the acting swings between hits and misses were obvious.
Marilyn Manson’s Creepy Fit
Marilyn Manson’s eerie presence fit Sons of Anarchy perfectly, even if his acting was a bit too dark.
Lemmy Kilmister’s Raw Grit
Lemmy Kilmister kept things raw in Airheads, though his acting still came off a bit rough around the edges.
Gene Simmons’ Over-the-Top Drama
Gene Simmons went all out in Runaway, yet the camera wasn’t ready for his over-the-top performance.
Courtney Love’s Emotional Overload
Courtney Love’s emotional explosion in The People vs. Larry Flynt overshadowed any subtle acting moments.
Slash’s Silent Screen Presence
Silence spoke louder than words for Slash in The Dead Pool, proving that less can be more on screen.
Sting’s Fashionably Awkward Turn
Making a cameo in Zoolander 2, he brought star power, but his acting lacked real polish.
Steven Tyler’s Energetic Flop
When Steven Tyler hit Wayne’s World 2, he had plenty of energy while his lines got lost in the noise.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Wild Chaos
Ozzy Osbourne unleashed wild energy in Trick or Treat, even though his acting was more chaotic than polished.
David Bowie’s Alien Attempt
David Bowie brought his alien vibe to The Man Who Fell to Earth, although acting wasn’t his strongest suit.
