Great Movies Starring Musicians

“Down by Law” (1986) is another film directed by Jim Jarmusch in which a musician is cast in a prominent role. Tom Waits stars as Zack, a man arrested and imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Alongside of him is Jack, played by musician and actor John Lurie, band leader of the jazz group the Lounge Lizards. Both Lurie and Waits contributed music to the film.

Frank Sinatra, whose movie career was boosted by movies such as “From Here to Eternity” and The Man With the Golden Arm” in the 1950s, starred as an Army intelligence officer trying to thwart an assassination attempt on the U.S. president in “The Manchurian Candidate.” The movie, directed by John Frankenheimer, is considered to be one of the greatest American political thrillers.

Will Smith has been a successful actor for so long that some may not remember the Hollywood leading man was first a rapper, releasing music as early as 1987 as part of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. In 1990, Smith landed his breakout role in the TV series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” before starring in blockbuster movies such as “Independence Day” (1996) and “Men in Black” (1997). One of his most appreciated films, according to online reviewers, is the 2006 drama “The Pursuit of Happyness,” about a salesman and his son who have fallen on hard times.

The smooth-singing stylist who effected a lovably inebriated persona on the big screen and television starred in this Howard Hawks-directed Western with John Wayne and Walter Brennan as a former deputy who takes to drink after his love has left him. Martin had appeared in films with former partner Jerry Lewis and Rat Pack pal Dean Martin. “Rio Bravo” is considered one of Martin’s best films.

Musician Harry Connick Jr. worked on music for movies before ever acting in them. In 1989, he coproduced the soundtrack for “When Harry Met Sally”, winning a Grammy award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. He would appear on screen a year later in the war film “Memphis Belle.” In 1999, Connick lent his voice to the character Dean McCoppin in the highly rated “The Iron Giant,” working alongside Jennifer Aniston and Vin Diesel.