Actors <-> Musicians

Guybrush · 03-16-2010, 06:58 PM

Sometimes, actors who have established an acting career become musicians. Sometimes, it's the other way round. Although this is not an especially revered group of musicians as such, this thread is for sharing your appreciation for the artistry of such people.

I'll kick things off with an old classic, Mr. Richard Harris.

Richard Harris (1930 - 2002)

Richard Harris' last role was that of Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies. Before that, he had a long career as an actor both on stage and in front of the camera, was an iconic machoman, alcoholic, had a haunted mansion that he sold to Jimmy Page, became a knight in Denmark and Malta .. Of course he also tried music.

There are quite a few Richard Harris albums out there, but he's most known for his "original" recording of MacArthur Park, written by Jimmy Webb. You probably know it even if you think you don't. Here it is!

It's actually quite sophisticated for a 60s pop song!

So .. your turn.

gunnels · 03-16-2010, 07:02 PM

Jackie Chan

Thanks a bundle Anteater for showing me this masterpiece.

scottsy · 03-16-2010, 07:05 PM

It would be utterly remiss of me if I didn't mention the musical stylings of one very famous sci fi actor... of course, the unmistakeable tones of...

William Shatner

mr dave · 03-16-2010, 07:11 PM

Johnny Depp

i've mentionned his 90s album P on more than one occasion here. he's apparently played on some Oasis tracks, some soundtracks for his films, and with Shane MacGowan. but i like P best, featuring Gibby Haynes from the butthole surfers on vocals and random drummers and bassist (including Flea on some tracks).

here's their cover of Abba's Dancing Queen - YouTube - P - Dancing Queen

i'm also old enough to remember Don Johnson's foray into pop music in the late 80s, same as Patrick Swayze. sometimes ability from one art doesn't translate that well to the other.

also the band Dogstar featured Keanu Reeves on bass, and apparently Richard Gere has a ridiculous collection of Les Pauls but i don't know if he's really tried branching out into music.

Chevy Chase is also a noted musician having played with both Steely Dan and Paul Simon.

jackhammer · 03-16-2010, 07:20 PM

Tom Waits is absolutely phenomenal in an otherwise piss poor film, namely Coppola's Dracula. Waits was also great in Down By Law.

Roger Daltrey (The Who) has been in his fair share of bad films but he is brilliant in the film McVicar- a true life film of a notorious British criminal that is a classic gritty 80's film with a great score to boot.

scottsy · 03-16-2010, 07:24 PM

Wow! I'd have never pinned Johnny Depp as a musician in his spare time...

Hey a good example of a Musician turned actor... none other than Mr. Phil Collins! He's had a number of movie roles, the most notable of which was "Buster" for which he provided a song for the soundtrack, his cover of "Groovy Kind of Love"... I also know that in his pre - genesis days he was in theatre to some degree, and he has starred in a few not very high profile movies...

**Janszoon** · 03-16-2010, 08:41 PM

How about Nick Cave? Brilliant musician of course, but I also always enjoyed his small role in Johnny Suede alongside a young Brad Pitt.

scottsy · 03-16-2010, 09:45 PM

There ya go! Johnny Suede, eh? Somehow I don't see the modern day Nick Cave reprising that role...

NumberNineDream · 03-16-2010, 10:25 PM

What a coincidence. I'm downloading the debut album of Toni Colette's band Toni Colette and the Finish, at this moment. Will reply to this thread, after I hear the album.

Bulldog · 03-17-2010, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

Tom Waits is absolutely phenomenal in an otherwise piss poor film, namely Coppola's Dracula.

...is basically what I was going to say as well as this...

David Bowie

With a few exceptions, I don't really think he's a very good actor at all - very wooden and uncharismatic with most of the roles I've seen him in. Exceptions are the Man Who Fell To Earth (where he basically played himself anyway), Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (even if Tom Conti steals the show with that one) and this...

^ It doesn't embed, so click twice to play. It's a 20 minute short film he wrote (directed by Julien 'Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle' Temple) as an extended promo for his Blue Jean single, and is actually surprisingly good stuff. If you've got plenty of time to kill, kick back and enjoy...

03-16-2010, 06:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	Actors <-> Musicians Sometimes, actors who have established an acting career become musicians. Sometimes, it's the other way round. Although this is not an especially revered group of musicians as such, this thread is for sharing your appreciation for the artistry of such people. I'll kick things off with an old classic, Mr. Richard Harris. Richard Harris (1930 - 2002) Richard Harris' last role was that of Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies. Before that, he had a long career as an actor both on stage and in front of the camera, was an iconic machoman, alcoholic, had a haunted mansion that he sold to Jimmy Page, became a knight in Denmark and Malta .. Of course he also tried music. There are quite a few Richard Harris albums out there, but he's most known for his "original" recording of MacArthur Park, written by Jimmy Webb. You probably know it even if you think you don't. Here it is! It's actually quite sophisticated for a 60s pop song! So .. your turn. __________________ Something Completely Different

03-16-2010, 07:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
scottsy Untalented Drummer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sussex, Wisconsin Posts: 2,900	It would be utterly remiss of me if I didn't mention the musical stylings of one very famous sci fi actor... of course, the unmistakeable tones of... William Shatner __________________ "If you're like me, then it's possible you're a clone generated from my stolen DNA. I suggest you turn yourself in for destruction immediately" - Shaun Micallef.

03-16-2010, 07:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Tom Waits is absolutely phenomenal in an otherwise piss poor film, namely Coppola's Dracula. Waits was also great in Down By Law. Roger Daltrey (The Who) has been in his fair share of bad films but he is brilliant in the film McVicar- a true life film of a notorious British criminal that is a classic gritty 80's film with a great score to boot. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

03-16-2010, 07:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
scottsy Untalented Drummer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sussex, Wisconsin Posts: 2,900	Wow! I'd have never pinned Johnny Depp as a musician in his spare time... Hey a good example of a Musician turned actor... none other than Mr. Phil Collins! He's had a number of movie roles, the most notable of which was "Buster" for which he provided a song for the soundtrack, his cover of "Groovy Kind of Love"... I also know that in his pre - genesis days he was in theatre to some degree, and he has starred in a few not very high profile movies... __________________ "If you're like me, then it's possible you're a clone generated from my stolen DNA. I suggest you turn yourself in for destruction immediately" - Shaun Micallef.

03-16-2010, 08:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	How about Nick Cave? Brilliant musician of course, but I also always enjoyed his small role in Johnny Suede alongside a young Brad Pitt. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

03-16-2010, 09:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
scottsy Untalented Drummer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sussex, Wisconsin Posts: 2,900	There ya go! Johnny Suede, eh? Somehow I don't see the modern day Nick Cave reprising that role... __________________ "If you're like me, then it's possible you're a clone generated from my stolen DNA. I suggest you turn yourself in for destruction immediately" - Shaun Micallef.

03-16-2010, 10:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
NumberNineDream Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The land of the largest wine glass (aka Lebanon) Posts: 2,200	What a coincidence. I'm downloading the debut album of Toni Colette's band Toni Colette and the Finish, at this moment. Will reply to this thread, after I hear the album. __________________ Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Welcome to the Black Lodge