Which Musician Should Next Become a Movie Star?

02.03.12 | George D. Allen and Irv Slifkin | Movie Buzz, Movie Buzz PodcastPrint this Post

We've seen a long, if mixed, record of musicians morphing into movie stars. For every David Bowie, there's a Peter Frampton. Whereas it's hard to argue Barbra Streisand hasn't enjoyed success and longevity on the big screen, Madonna's got her fair share of hits and misses. We won't get into the merits of the Neil Diamond Jazz Singer here; let's just blame all that on Lord Olivier.

Prince. Mick Jagger. Tom Waits. Mariah Carey (we're not talking Glitter, we're talking Precious). Norah Jones.

Who's next?  For a while there, it looked like Taylor Swift had the inside track. Not so much now. So: Who should be the next musical artist to score on the big screen? Let's Ask Movie Irv:

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Has Irv made the right discovery?

 
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  • wayne

    Another great topic to discuss, Movie Du'Georv! :)

    Can we go back a little (Ok, a lot) further while were at it?

    May I respectfully submit for consideration a musician-vocalist and a movie star at almost the exact same time and one of the all-time greats...Judy Garland, a truly wonderful and sad story at the same time! We all know the biography, but what a lot of movie fans may not fully realize is that she could truly do it all: dance (Fred Astaire tagged her superb with little training), sing and act (both comedy and drama roles).

    Of course, back in the day during the Golden Age era there was also Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, who could also put on a pretty good show with their operatic vocalizing combining with romantic lead-quality acting talents.

    You know, too..its a well-known fact that a lot of folks that came out of a Vaudevillian background were uniquely and multi-craft equipped for plying their trades in Hollywood later. Thanks

  • http://www.moviesunlimited.com George D. Allen

    Wayne, there's certainly nothing wrong with a passing nod to Dame Judy. No doubt there may be others who will add more of ye olde musician-stars in this thread (even though that's not quite the topic at hand)...

    It's only a matter of time before Elvis rears his head.

    Meantime, go cast a vote for Tom Waits or Bjork in my name. :)
    http://www.moviefanfare.com/movie-polls/moviefanfare-movie-poll-27/

  • wayne

    sorry but didnt mean to ignore your question (the ? please!)...shes not acting except when performing on TV, but would love to see Alison Krauss take the plunge into celluworld.

  • F.G. Kaye

    Half of the Rat Pack;
    Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr.

    How about Elvis Presley, or Ricky Nelson.

    Someone more current;
    Rick Springfield, or Phil Collins.

    There are numerous examples...

  • Blair Kramer.

    It's not "which musician will be the next movie star...?" It's: which musician has the acting talent to become a movie star?!

    • http://www.moviesunlimited.com George D. Allen

      You will note the use of "should" in the actual question rather than "will," which has a snazzy if subtle way of making exactly your point. :)

      On the other hand, I think the cynic might say your first transformation of the question is actually a little closer to the way things really work.

      Now then.......who gets your vote?

      • Blair Kramer.

        Well George, newly minted movie stardom is a young person's game (as it has always been and should be). Which is my way of saying, since I don't listen to current pop music (I kinda' prefer classical as well as modern orchestral pieces. The best motion picture score composers fall into that category), I really can't say which performer would or should become a movie star. I don't know enough about them (actually, I don't know ANYTHING about them!). I watched a recent talk show that featured a young woman who referred to herself as "Lady Ga-Ga!" I guess she does thinly vieled re-workings of old, familiar disco-dance hits. Anyway, her patter during the interview seemed to reveal a rather dim intellect. It's very clear to me that this decidedly garish person is not likely to become a movie star. And if she's typical of the current crop of pop stars, then I would rather see genuine actors become the new movie stars and leave the pop stars in the recording studios where they may, or may not, belong!

  • Tito Pannaggi

    Imaging a Film noir with Tiny Tim, Liberacy and Tom Jones!

    Sonja Henie could have played Liberacy's brother. They looked alike!

    Even John Waters didn't think about that!

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1063274681 Irv Slifkin

      Like your idea. If you want to see a bizarre film with Liberace check out The Loved One: Liberace, Joanthan Winters, Robert Morse, Milton Berle, James Coburn, Roddy McDowell, Tab Hunter and many more.

    • http://www.moviesunlimited.com George D. Allen

      Sounds like a film produced by Crispin Glover :)

  • DIRK

    Harry Connick Jr as the serial killer in COPYCAT was rather a brave choice for him to take on. Dwight Yoakum was unrecognizable in his dramatic turn and I think Reba McIntire in a dramatic role would be fun to see. They all "act" in their music videos, so none of them are really "untried". Dolly, Queen Latifah, Beyonce have all done it -- where are the guys? How 'bout Adam Levine in a rom-com, or NickelBack showing up as mafia henchmen on BURN NOTICE!

    • http://www.moviesunlimited.com George D. Allen

      Love the mention of Connick. He is also excellent as Ashley Judd's jerk of an ex in William Friedkin's 2006 "Bug."

  • Rich

    I think the parents and someone should look at a part of Jackie Evancho. Could be another Deanna Durbin star.

    • http://www.moviesunlimited.com George D. Allen

      Sure, I could see that -- but then there's that Disney credit already on her resume, leading us to shudder at the thought of the poor kid potentially following in the infamous footsteps of other "fallen" role models from the Mouse House. They know who they are.

  • Scott Longacre

    At one point in the mid-60s, Elvis Presley was the highest paid movie star. He made 33 movies from '56-72. He deserves a little mention.

  • Ted E. Limpert

    Despite your negative opinion, I think Taylor Swift should be the next talented singer to succeed as an actress. In addition to her talent, she has the intelligence to make the right choices.
    As far as the older stars go, how could anyone forget Bing Crosby, the most talented and popular singer/actor of all time, and Doris Day, who was equally talented and popular?

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1063274681 Irv Slifkin

      Thanks to my daughter, I am a Taylor Swift fan and you are right, she has made some good choices with her career. I just don't see her in Les Miz. She should start in something lighter if she wants to take on a major rolem and I believe she will do that eventuially. And good point about "Der Bingle." He was "the king of all media" for his time.

  • Nils Goering

    I think Catherine McPhee is on track to movie stardom. She showed her talent the other night on the NBC offering, 'SMASH'. She can act, she's sexy looking and she can sing and dance. She's the total package.

    For some radical singing star alternatives to former movie hits, see my reply to the 'what if' portion of this edition of MovieFanfare (where other stars were offered and passed over or were replaced for iconic film roles).

  • Bob Abbott

    I'M rather late to this dance, having accidentally deleted the email. I"m betting the next singer turned actor will probably come from rap/hip-hop. I'm not at all familiar with the field but look at the current crop in the movies. Will Smith, Queen Latiffah, Ice Cube, all with decent resumes. Since it seems rap is as much about acting as music, it seems a good source.
    I can't believe no one mentioned Frank Sinatra, who had some of the best credentials in both fields, singing and acting.

    • KC

      Pitbull, maybe?

      • http://www.moviesunlimited.com George D. Allen

        Hm, interesting. His look suggests perhaps a Vin Diesel-ish future. "xXx" reboot, anyone?

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