1) Hugh Jackman: Many people might not be aware but after a short 1 season Aussie TV show stint, Hugh was primarily a stage star. It was only after his adorable success as an amazing singer/dancer with incredibly stage presence that he was offered the role of Wolverine in X-Men. Hugh will actually be playing Jean Valjean in the upcoming Les Miserables musical movie so we will get to see all of his talents in one place. Classic hit: Oh What a Beautiful Morning from the musical Oklahoma!
2) Justin Timberlake: Many of you know I am a devoted Timberlake follower. I will pretty much watch whatever he does, listen to whatever he produces or even recommends. His talent is undeniable. Granted I don’t think I’m in the minority when I say that he should be singing instead of acting. I think he’s hilarious and do watch both his films (even the ugly ones like cough The Love Guru cough) but if he doesn’t make another CD soon or appear in a musical soon someone (probably Joey Fatone) will get a beating. Classic hit: What Goes Around Comes Around
3) Will Smith: I know you might disagree with me on the “dancer” segment of this one, but we should not forget the incredibly awkward yet cool dancing talents of the fresh prince. I did try to “Get Jiggy With It” but the closest I ever got to it was a jig. Will is another one of those actors who I would follow to the moon and back. He’s funny and interesting and also an awesome rapper. I genuinely can’t decide which beats I prefer more, the Fresh Prince/DJ Jazzy Jeff era or the Will Smith late 90’s boom. Thoughts? Classic Hit: Parents Just Don’t Understand
4) Beyonce Knowles: Beyonce is clearly one of our generation’s most incredible talents. She is a kick-ass dancer, makes amazing tracks that in my opinion will withstand the test of time (that’s right my future kids will be listening to beyonce!) and she is a good actress to boot. I am specifically not going to mention her turn in a certain British spy spoof because it was pretty unremarkable, but her roles in Dream Girls and Obsessed were pretty awesome. Classic Hit: Single Ladies
5) Queen Latifah: Queen is a great example of why America needs more female rappers. This amazing beat-tress started out as a rapper (beat boxing actually) for a little group called “Ladies Fresh” which then ballooned into her own rap career and eventual singing career and acting career. I will admit freely and without shame that I love many of the movies that Queen is in. She proved she could multi task (sing act and dance) when she was in Chicago and followed up that musical with Hairspray (again amazing choice) but she is understated and awesome in a few roles like Last Holiday (a personal favorite). Classic hit: U.N.I.T.Y
6) Neal Patrick Harris: Ok, Ok, technically NPH didn’t start out as a singer, but rather a child actor, after which he moved to Broadway. NPH is one of those rare talents who can pretty much do anything he wants. He dances extremely well, can sing, and even rap (see this year’s tony awards)! My personal favorite NPH venture has to be Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog. It’s rare that you route for the bad guy but under the direction of Joss Whedon NPH’s Dr. Horrible is one of the most lovable villains ever. Classic hit: Freeze Ray
7) Bebe Neuwirth: Bebe, who was called a “Fosse Girl” for all of her work in bob fosse musicals, is more than just an excellent dancer and singer. She is a great actress. She will forever be known to me and my family as “Lilith” the cold ex-wife of Dr. Frasier Crane on both Cheers and Frasier. She has also been in a ton of movies, and various TV shows. Classic Hit: All That Jazz
8) Gene Kelly: Technically Gene was a dancer-turned singer- and then turned actor, but who really cares? Gene, obviously an enormous talent for his time was one of, in my humble opinion, the best tap dancers ever. I am a HUGE fan of singing in the rain, but Gene also shined and showed his chops in movies like On the Town and An American in Paris. Classic hit: Singing in the Rain
9) Sutton Foster: Ok yes, Sutton isn’t really a “screen star” yet, but Sutton is one of the greatest talents on broadway right now. She has an incredible vocal range and an amazing dancing ability. This leads me to believe that she can basically do whatever she wants (see Matthew Morrison’s career.) Classic Hit: Gimme Gimme
10)(Marky) Mark Walhberg: Le sigh. I love Marky Mark so much. Did you guys realize that he was one of the original members of New Kids on the block but quit to make his own group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch? Granted my husband thinks my opinion of his acting ability is clouded by my vision of his abs, but I think he is both adorable and a good actor. He can play it serious as evidenced by his role in (one of my least favorite films ever) Boogie Nights. He can play it funny in films like Date Night and The Good Guys. And I personally like him best in his action-y roles. Classic hit: Good Vibrations
Notably Bad Singer turned Actors:
1) Jennifer Lopez: Jenny from the block can sing, and dance, but I personally dislike every acting role she’s had and find her to be pretty one note as an actress. Terrible roles include Maid in Manhattan and Gigli.
2) Puff daddy/P.Diddy/Diddy/ Diddy Dirty Money: No monikers can help Diddy be a good actor. Don’t get me wrong, as a rapper- awesome, as a producer-awesome, as random hip-hop style dancer- awesome. But acting (as seen from his Hawaii 5-0 guest stint)- not so awesome.
3) Jessica Simpson: Employee of the Month. Need I say more?
