In the dog eat dog world of entertainment, being a great actor is no longer enough. If you want ultimate success, you’ve got to be a double threat: like these actors who can sing. This list of actors who were also one-hit wonders features some very famous stars who had impressively successful music careers. Or at one least a chart-topping hit.
Does that mean these lauded thespians were also musical geniuses? Probably not. But there are several famous actors and actresses who have released hit singles. Some of these celebrities' hits were parody songs, while others were serious ballads. Whether or not they will stand the test of time is another story. But for a brief moment, these actors had it all.
So who are these musical actors? Any list of successful singing movie stars has got to include Anna Kendrick. The Pitch Perfect lead's 2013 track "Cups" hit No. 6 on the U.S. charts. Less expected, perhaps, are the likes of Eddie Murphy and Paris Hilton, who both had songs reach the top 20. (Separate question: does Hilton’s turn in House of Wax make her a legit actor?) The Carol Burnett Show funny lady Vicki Lawrence's 1973 track "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" even hit No. 1 on the U.S. charts.
Let’s not forget the ever talented Bruce Willis. His 1987 track "Respect Yourself" hit No. 5. Steve Martin's 1978 hit "King Tut", which began as a sketch on Saturday Night Live, hit No. 17. Billy Crystal, Patrick Swayze and Jerry Lewis also scored one big hit a piece.
Which actor do you wish would release a song and become the next famous one-hit-wonder? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Eddie Murphy's 1985 track "Party All the Time" hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Patrick Swayze's 1988 track "She's Like the Wind" hit No. 3 on the U.S. charts.
Bruce Willis's 1987 track "Respect Yourself" hit No. 5 on the U.S. charts.
