4 Times Rock Stars Did Killer Jobs as Actors in Film

Not every rock musician can muster up the talent to become a double threat, but these four rock stars managed to deliver incredible performances as actors in film. And one of them did it without even saying a word. Let’s take a look, shall we?

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1. Courtney Love in ‘The People vs. Larry Flynt’

Known for her role in the grunge band Hole and for being the wife of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love’s larger-than-life (and often controversial) personality might be what she’s most famous for. She also tried her hand at acting in 1996 and did a pretty amazing job. 

Love starred as Althea Leasure in the Milos Forman film The People vs. Larry Flynt, alongside Woody Harrelson. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for the role and earned a few other accolades as well.

2. David Bowie in ‘The Man Who Fell To Earth’

Rock stars will often try their hand at being actors on occasion, but iconic pop star David Bowie was in quite a bit of film and television. Just a few of his most well-known films include Labyrinth from 1986, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me from 1992, and Basquiat from 1996, among others. 

However, his role in The Man Who Fell To Earth from 1976 is one of the most experimental and impressive roles of his career. The Nicolas Roeg-directed science fiction film follows an alien who lands on Earth in an attempt to get water to his home planet. Honestly, Bowie was made for this role.

3. Alanis Morissette in ‘Dogma’

Singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette delivered a surprising and delightful performance in the religion-inspired comedy Dogma in 1999. In the Kevin Smith-directed film, Morissette plays the role of God; and doesn’t say a word, for obvious reasons. 

Despite the lack of dialogue, Morissette made it very clear from the moment she debuted toward the end of the film that she was the perfect person to play such an enigmatic character.

4. Tom Waits in ‘Down By Law’

This blues rock icon deserves a spot on our list of rock stars who killed it as actors with his performance in the Jim Jarmusch film Down By Law. Waits appeared in a few other pieces of media through the years, but his role as an unemployed DJ in the black-and-white 1986 film was absolutely perfect. It’s by far his best on-screen performance to date.

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