Actors You Didn’t Know Are Incredible Musicians

A surprising number of leading men spend their off-camera hours making real music, touring, and releasing records that hold up next to full time artists. From jazz and blues to indie rock and country, these actors write, sing, produce, and play instruments with serious chops. Many have steady bands, proper studio albums, and regular gigs at respected venues. Here are some names worth a listen the next time you open your favorite music app.

Keanu Reeves

Reeves plays bass in the alt rock band Dogstar and returned to the stage after a long hiatus with new recordings and a tour. The group has released studio albums and EPs with Reeves co writing and performing on tracks. Live sets feature tight rhythm work anchored by his bass lines. Dogstar has shared bills with well known rock acts and plays respected club and festival rooms.

Ryan Gosling

Gosling co founded the gothic folk duo Dead Man’s Bones and handles vocals, keyboards, and songwriting. The project is known for eerie choral textures and minimalist arrangements built around organ and percussion. Their recordings feature a children’s choir that adds a spooky glow to the harmonies. Gosling has performed select live dates with the group using atmospheric stage setups.

Idris Elba

Elba records hip hop and house under the name Big Driis and also works as a DJ on major festival stages. He releases singles and EPs that blend rap verses with club ready production. Collaborations with UK and international artists keep his sound current across genres. Elba’s sets include original tracks and remixes he produces in the studio.

Hugh Laurie

Laurie is an accomplished blues pianist and singer who records with top session players. His albums celebrate New Orleans and classic Americana styles with arrangements for horns and rhythm section. He tours with a full band and often features vintage standards alongside his own material. Laurie’s piano work and gravelly vocals give the songs a lived in feel.

Jeff Goldblum

Goldblum leads The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra as a jazz pianist and bandleader with regular residencies. He records live to capture club energy with swing standards and modern jazz tunes. The ensemble invites guest vocalists and improvisers to keep sets fresh. Goldblum’s playing favors light touch comping and playful solos that fit the ensemble sound.

Kevin Bacon

Bacon and his brother form The Bacon Brothers, an enduring roots rock duo with a steady release schedule. Their catalog mixes acoustic ballads and upbeat Americana with tight vocal harmonies. Touring calendars often include mid sized theaters and festival appearances. Kevin contributes guitar, vocals, and songwriting that emphasizes storytelling.

Kiefer Sutherland

Sutherland writes and performs country and Americana songs backed by a road tested band. His albums focus on narrative lyrics supported by pedal steel, acoustic guitar, and organ. He maintains a busy touring routine that spans clubs and listening rooms. The recordings highlight a warm baritone voice and straightforward arrangements.

Russell Crowe

Crowe fronts long running rock projects including 30 Odd Foot of Grunts and Indoor Garden Party. He has released studio and live albums that showcase guitar driven anthems and folk tinged tracks. Collaborators include seasoned musicians from Australia and beyond. Crowe regularly stages benefit concerts and intimate gigs to road test new songs.

Joe Keery

Keery records under the moniker Djo and produces psychedelic pop with lush synths and guitar textures. He writes, records, and arranges much of the material himself, emphasizing groove and melody. Live shows feature a tight backing band and curated visuals. His albums have grown a strong fanbase through streaming and viral performance clips.

Finn Wolfhard

Wolfhard plays guitar and sings in indie projects including Calpurnia and The Aubreys. He writes jangly rock tunes influenced by classic alternative bands. Studio releases span EPs and singles supported by music videos and short tours. Wolfhard balances recording schedules with acting while keeping a regular output of new tracks.

Jason Schwartzman

Schwartzman was the original drummer for Phantom Planet and later launched the indie pop project Coconut Records. His songwriting favors bright melodies, layered harmonies, and concise hooks. He records in a home studio environment and collaborates with indie stalwarts. Coconut Records releases have become staples on college and alternative playlists.

Jared Leto

Leto is the lead vocalist of Thirty Seconds to Mars with a catalog of arena scale rock albums. The band is known for anthemic choruses, electronic accents, and elaborate live production. World tours feature immersive staging and fan participation elements. Leto also directs music videos and oversees creative concepts for releases.

Johnny Depp

Depp performs guitar with the supergroup Hollywood Vampires alongside classic rock veterans. Setlists combine original songs and tributes to influential artists. Studio albums and tours showcase Depp’s electric and acoustic work in a band context. The project supports charitable causes through select performances and releases.

Oscar Isaac

Isaac is a trained guitarist and singer who led the band The Blinking Underdogs before his breakout roles. He contributes acoustic performances to soundtracks and intimate live sessions. His arrangements lean on fingerstyle guitar and folk influences. Isaac collaborates with producers and musicians for stripped down recording projects between films.

Viggo Mortensen

Mortensen composes instrumental and spoken word pieces and releases them on independent labels. His albums blend piano, ambient textures, and experimental soundscapes. He often partners with avant garde musicians and poets for cross disciplinary works. Limited edition vinyl and art focused packaging accompany many of his releases.

Robert Downey Jr.

Downey sings and plays piano with a smooth pop rock style and careful arrangements. He released a studio album with original songs and has contributed vocals to soundtrack projects. Live appearances feature a small band setup that highlights his keyboard work. He also collaborates in the studio with producers for polished tracks between film schedules.

Jamie Foxx

Foxx is a Grammy winning R&B singer with multiple hit singles and high profile collaborations. His albums mix soulful ballads with club ready tracks and showcase strong vocal range. He performs full concert sets with a tight backing band and background vocalists. Foxx also writes and co produces material that has stayed on radio playlists.

Donald Glover

Glover records as Childish Gambino and moves across rap, funk, and psychedelic soul. His releases include chart topping singles and ambitious concept tracks with rich instrumentation. Festival sets feature live bands, choreography, and extended arrangements. He directs visuals and curates artwork to match the sound of each era.

Jack Black

Black leads Tenacious D with driving acoustic rock and theatrical vocals. The duo records full length albums and tours arenas with a drummer and electric embellishments. Their shows include precise musicianship under the comedy and crowd interaction. Black’s voice carries dynamic range that fits both ballads and hard charging numbers.

Bruce Willis

Willis has recorded blues and soul records with horn sections and rhythm guitar. He performs live with seasoned players and emphasizes classic bar grooves. Studio tracks feature harmonica and backing vocals that thicken the sound. His sets cover standards alongside original tunes built for a laid back vibe.

Kevin Costner

Costner fronts Modern West, a country rock band with steady touring mileage. The group releases albums with storytelling lyrics and layered guitars. Shows often take place in theaters and outdoor venues with a loyal fan base. Costner sings lead and handles acoustic guitar while the band fills out harmonies.

Steven Seagal

Seagal records blues albums with deep grooves and prominent guitar lines. He plays lead and rhythm parts and brings in guest artists from the genre. Live bands include keys, bass, and horn players to round the sound. His sessions focus on slow burn shuffles and mid tempo stomps.

Anthony Hopkins

Hopkins composes orchestral works and piano led pieces released through classical labels. His recordings feature symphonic arrangements performed by professional ensembles. The music leans toward lyrical themes that build across movements. He collaborates with conductors and producers to prepare scores for studio sessions.

Michael Cera

Cera plays bass and guitar and has contributed to indie recordings with a lo fi aesthetic. His solo work includes gentle vocals and minimalist arrangements captured in intimate sessions. He also joins friends’ bands for live sets in small clubs. The focus stays on melody and texture rather than flashy solos.

John Stamos

Stamos is a skilled drummer and guitarist who performs with touring acts and house bands. He has sat in with legacy groups and led numbers on televised specials. Live shows highlight tight timing and tasteful fills behind the kit. Stamos also brings vocal harmonies that fit well in pop rock sets.

Jeremy Renner

Renner writes and sings radio friendly rock with piano and guitar at the core. He releases EPs and albums with an emphasis on anthemic choruses. Concerts feature a full band and carefully arranged lighting for arena sized energy. His videos and artwork keep a unified look across each project.

Penn Badgley

Badgley fronts MOTHXR, an indie project with sleek synths and steady grooves. The band recorded a full album and toured clubs to build a dedicated following. Vocals sit over atmospheric guitars and pulsing bass. Sessions focus on tight rhythm sections and moody textures that transfer well on stage.

Jacob Anderson

Anderson records as Raleigh Ritchie and blends R&B with cinematic pop. His albums use string arrangements, layered drums, and personal lyrics. Live sets move from intimate ballads to energetic uptempo numbers. He writes much of the material himself and works closely with producers for cohesive sound.

Riz Ahmed

Ahmed releases hip hop records that pair sharp lyricism with modern electronic production. His projects include solo work and collaborative releases with international influences. Performances feature live drums and DJ support for dynamic transitions. He uses videos and short films to expand the stories behind the tracks.

Jamie Campbell Bower

Bower is the vocalist and guitarist for Counterfeit with high energy punk influenced rock. The band has toured widely and released studio recordings with raw edge. Shows lean on tight rhythm sections and call and response crowd moments. Bower’s vocals carry grit while the guitars drive fast tempos.

Jeff Bridges

Bridges records country and folk albums with seasoned Nashville players and roots producers. His studio work features warm baritone vocals, pedal steel, and acoustic arrangements. He tours select theaters with a tight band that focuses on storytelling songs. Bridges also contributes original tracks to film related projects when schedules line up.

Billy Bob Thornton

Thornton fronts The Boxmasters, a road tested Americana and rock band with multiple albums. The group blends British invasion textures with country harmonies and jangly guitars. Tours include midsize venues and festival slots with faithful fans. Thornton handles lead vocals and co writes material across the catalog.

John Travolta

Travolta has released pop albums and soundtrack singles alongside musical film work. His recordings include duets and solo tracks supported by studio session musicians. He has performed live at televised specials and charity events. The vocals lean toward polished pop with orchestral and rhythm section backing.

Robert Pattinson

Pattinson contributes original songs and guitar performances to soundtrack releases. Early recordings showcase intimate vocals and stripped down arrangements. He continues to write and record demos between film projects. Select tracks have surfaced on official releases connected to his acting work.

Mark Wahlberg

Wahlberg began with charting rap records and arena tours under his stage name. Studio albums paired him with respected producers for radio ready singles. Performances featured dancers, a DJ, and live hype elements common to the era. He has occasionally revisited music collaborations after focusing on film.

Will Smith

Smith achieved global success as a rapper with platinum albums and stadium tours. His singles mix storytelling verses with catchy hooks produced by top studio teams. He has performed at award shows and international festivals with full live bands. Smith’s catalog spans upbeat party tracks and reflective songs.

Yasiin Bey

Bey builds acclaimed hip hop albums with jazz inflected beats and sharp lyricism. His discography includes solo releases and collaborative projects that influenced the genre. Live sets feature DJs and instrumentalists for dynamic arrangements. He also curates multimedia performances that connect film and music work.

Common

Common records thoughtful hip hop albums anchored by live instrumentation and soul samples. He collaborates with producers and bands to create warm groove focused tracks. Tours include theaters and festivals with a tight rhythm section on stage. Common often contributes songs to film and television projects he appears in.

LL Cool J

LL Cool J released foundational rap albums with enduring singles and world tours. His performances use DJs, hype vocalists, and call and response crowd work. He continues to record collaborations that chart on streaming platforms. The catalog spans party anthems and smooth R&B leaning tracks.

David Duchovny

Duchovny writes and records rock albums with a melodic indie feel. Studio sessions feature guitars, keys, and steady rhythm sections behind conversational vocals. He tours clubs and small theaters with a backing band. His lyrics focus on reflective themes supported by clean guitar lines.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Gordon Levitt plays guitar and sings on collaborative recordings through his creative platform. He performs live at special events and records covers and originals with guest artists. Sessions favor intimate arrangements built around acoustic instruments. He also contributes musical segments to film and television appearances.

Dennis Quaid

Quaid leads a roots rock outfit that performs club and theater shows across the country. The setlists mix originals with classic covers driven by electric guitars and keys. He has released studio and live recordings that capture energetic vocals. Quaid often plays rhythm guitar and engages the crowd throughout sets.

Jeff Daniels

Daniels writes and records folk and Americana albums centered on acoustic guitar and storytelling. He tours listening rooms and small theaters with solo and trio formats. Studio work highlights fingerstyle playing and witty narrative lyrics. Daniels releases live albums that preserve intimate stage banter and arrangements.

Gary Sinise

Sinise plays bass with the Lt Dan Band, a long running rock and pop cover ensemble. The group performs at military bases, benefit shows, and community events. Sets span classic rock, contemporary hits, and patriotic numbers with multiple vocalists. Sinise’s role emphasizes tight rhythm section support and band leadership.

Hugh Jackman

Jackman records and performs show tunes and pop standards with orchestras and big bands. His concert tours feature choreography, medleys, and guest vocalists. He releases live albums that capture full production values. Jackman also contributes vocal performances to high profile soundtrack projects.

Share your favorite tracks from these actor musicians in the comments and tell us who else deserves a spot.