Summary
Non-actors can shine in debut performances, but celebrities must prove themselves with acting talent.
Musicians like Dolly Parton and Lady Gaga have successfully transitioned to the acting world.
Not every celebrity gets cast for name and recognition, as non-actors like Harry Style earned their roles.
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Football player Travis Kelce is set to make his acting debut in Ryan Murphy’s upcoming horror series Grotesquerie, but he isn’t the only non-actor who’s made a surprising debut. Many actors have had unforgettable debut performances, and numerous celebrities have proved that you don’t need an acting background to make your mark onscreen. There has been plenty of overlap between different fields in the entertainment industry, with musicians becoming good actors, and even athletes showing their talents off the field.
Non-actors regularly nail their performances, but when a celebrity is cast in a project, there’s always a degree of skepticism as they have to prove they can successfully crossover. Viewers are waiting to see whether Kelce has the acting chops or if he’ll struggle to keep up with veterans like Niecy Nash-Betts and Courtney B. Vance. Not all debuts from non-actors go well, but it can be inspiring to see celebrities try something new on such a big stage.
10 Travis Kelce
Grotesquerie (2024)
Cast Niecy Nash-Betts , Courtney B. Vance , Lesley Manville
Seasons 1
Streaming Service(s) Hulu
After Ryan Murphy released a teaser for his new horror show Grotesquerie narrated by Niecy Nash-Betts, the casting of Travis Kelce was announced. Kelce is a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and has won three Super Bowls with the team since he entered the league in 2013. Kelce has set numerous records, leading him to be named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. His brother, Jason Kelce, recently retired after 13 years with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Amazon documentary about the Kelce brothers, their podcast New Heights, and Travis’ heavily publicized relationship with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift have made Kelce one of the most famous athletes in the world. In a video posted by Nash-Betts on Instagram, Kelce said he was “jumping into new territory.” The horror series will allow him to show a different side of himself, as he’s known for his charming, funny personality.
9 Mariah Carey
Glitter (2001)
By 2001, singer Mariah Carey was already a bonafide superstar. In 1990, her self-titled album, which included songs like “Vision of Love” and “Emotions” was a smash hit. Her success was instant, and Carey remains the only artist to have her first five singles reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2001, Carey left Columbia Records and launched her acting career with the romantic musical drama Glitter.
Like many musicians who crossover into film, Carey played an aspiring singer in Glitter. The film’s soundtrack had the unfortunate timing of being released on September 11, with the film premiering 10 days later. It was a box office failure and Carey’s performance was ill-received, earning her a Golden Raspberry Award. Though Carey has said she regretted making Glitter, it didn’t stop her from acting. In 2009, Carey was able to redeem herself with a highly-praised performance in Precious.
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8 Harry Styles
Dunkirk (2017)
Dunkirk
This epic tale of World War II tells the story of soldiers from Belgium, Britain, Canada and France, who are surrounded by the German army, and the dangerous operation that evacuated and saved the lives of thousands.
Release Date July 21, 2017
Runtime 106 minutes
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English singer Harry Styles first became a star as one of the five members of the boyband One Direction. When the group went on hiatus in 2016, many wondered what Styles and his fellow bandmates would do next. In 2017, Styles released his successful self-titled debut solo album and starred in one of the biggest films of the year, Christopher Nolan’s epic war film Dunkirk. The film centers around the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II, with Styles playing Alex, one of the soldiers.
Nolan told The Hollywood Reporter he wasn’t aware of how famous Styles was at the time and cast him based on his talent, saying the singer “truly earned a seat at the table.” Dunkirk set Harry Styles up for a great acting career, but he hasn’t been able to live up to the 2017 film with his subsequent performances. Still, at just 30 years old, Styles has room to grow and establish himself as not just a great singer but a great actor as well.
7 Eminem
8 Mile (2002)
8 Mile
Eminem stars in the 2002 semi-autobiographical drama 8 Mile as a fictionalized version of himself, Jimmy Smith Jr. a.k.a. B-Rabbit, who tries to make a name for himself as a rapper in Detroit. Both the movie and its soundtrack, which included the Oscar-winning Lose Yourself, received widespread critical acclaim.
Director Curtis Hanson
Release Date November 8, 2002
Runtime 110 minutes
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In 2002, rapper Eminem made a unique acting debut in 8 Mile, a semi-autobiographical film based on his life as an upcoming battle rapper in Detroit. Eminem is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, and through his music, he’s been open about his many struggles growing up. Eminem was born Marshall Mathers to a father who left when he was a baby and a poor single mother. The Detroit underground rap scene, where he was eventually discovered by Dr. Dre, helped him escape his difficult home life.
In 8 Mile, he played B-Rabbit, an aspiring rapper and fictionalized version of himself. Eminem was praised for his acting debut and his work on the 8 Mile soundtrack, which included the Academy Award-winning “Lose Yourself.” 8 Mile was also Anthony Mackie’s acting debut, making it a cool film to watch to see the earlier days of their careers.
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6 Lady Gaga
American Horror Story: Hotel (2015-16)
While A Star is Born (2018) is perhaps singer Lady Gaga’s most popular film to date, she made her major acting debut in American Horror Story: Hotel. The season was inspired by old hotel horror films, with Gaga playing Countess Elizabeth Johnson, a vampire and one of Hotel’s main antagonists. Though American Horror Story: Hotel wasn’t as well-received as previous seasons, Lady Gaga still won a Golden Globe Award for her performance.
Lady Gaga didn’t have her breakthrough acting role until 2015, but she appeared in multiple musicals while at Regis High School and studied method acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute for a decade. In 2001, years before she became one of the world’s biggest popstars, she had a small background role in The Sopranos. Lady Gaga has appeared in multiple projects since Hotel and will co-star with Joaquin Phoenix in the upcoming Joker: Folie à Deux.
5 Dolly Parton
9 to 5 (1980)
9 to 5
Cast Jane Fonda , Lily Tomlin , Dolly Parton , Dabney Coleman , Sterling Hayden , Elizabeth Wilson , Henry Jones , Lawrence Pressman
Director Colin Higgins
Release Date December 19, 1980
Runtime 109 Minutes
Dolly Parton is known as one of the best singer-songwriters of all time, having made her debut as a country artist in 1967 with her album Hello, I’m Dolly. Almost 60 years into her career, Dolly is still making music and was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Along with being a successful recording artist, Dolly has established herself as an actress, with her debut coming in the 1980 comedy film 9 to 5.
In 9 to 5, Parton plays Doralee Rhodes, the secretary for the bigoted misogynist Dabney Coleman. With her coworkers Judy (Jane Fonda) and Violet (Lily Tomlin), Doralee gets revenge on her egotistical boss. The film was accompanied by Dolly’s hit song of the same name, which earned her an Academy Award nomination. In 2009, a stage adaptation of 9 to 5 premiered on Broadway with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton.
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4 Kim Kardashian
American Horror Story: Delicate (2023-24)
Media personality Kim Kardashian has been on television for years through her family’s reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians and its multiple spinoffs, but it wasn’t until 2023 that she had her major breakthrough acting role in American Horror Story: Delicate. Kardashian made her feature film debut in 2008’s Disaster Movie, but Delicate was her first big role. Kim Kardashian co-starred in Delicate as Siobhan, the publicist of Emma Roberts’ character Anna.
As shown by other entries on this list, American Horror Story has a history of casting non-actors, and to great success. Despite her lack of experience, Kardashian’s performance was a standout in an otherwise troubled season of the series. With American Horror Story season 13 confirmed, Kardashian could have the opportunity to take on another role and potentially show off her range as a budding actress.
3 Jennifer Hudson
Dreamgirls (2006)
Dreamgirls
Director Bill Condon
Release Date December 25, 2006
Runtime 134 minutes
Jennifer Hudson first became famous through the television reality competition series American Idol, placing seventh in the third season. Though she didn’t win it all, Hudson is one of the most successful entertainers to come out of the series. In 2022, Hudson became one of 19 EGOT winners, with her Oscar having come from her acting debut in 2006’s Dreamgirls. The musical film tells the story of the fictional girl group “The Dreams,” inspired by The Supremes, and their manipulative record executive, inspired by Berry Gordy Jr.
Dreamgirls had a star-studded cast with Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, and more in the ensemble. In Dreamgirls, Hudson’s character, Effie White, was believed to be the most talented member of the group, but her attitude and weight hold her back from being the lead. Her strong, emotional performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
2 Billie Eilish
Swarm (2023)
Swarm
Swarm is a horror series created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers. Dominique Fishback plays Dre, a woman obsessed with a pop star with a fanbase collectively called the swarm. As Dre’s obsession with her dream icon intensifies, the show will explore how deep – and dark – fandom can go.
Cast Dominique Fishback , Chloe Bailey , Damson Idris , Rickey Thompson , Paris Jackson , Rory Culkin , Kiersey Clemons , Byron Bowers
Release Date March 17, 2023
Seasons 1
At just 22 years old, singer-songwriter Billie Eilish is one of the most known and accomplished artists of her time. At 13, Eilish released her debut single “Ocean Eyes,” which became the lead single off her first EP. Since then, Eilish has won nine Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Academy Awards. She is also the youngest artist in Grammy history to win all four general field categories and Best New Artist in the same year.
Billie Eilish’s first acting role in Swarm was unexpected, and though it wasn’t a huge role, she made a big impact through her performance in the satirical comedy horror thriller miniseries. Eilish played Eva, a women’s empowerment cult leader who took the main character Dre (Domonique Fishback) under her wing. Eilish’s performance earned her the People’s Choice Award for TV Performance of the Year, kicking off what could become a successful acting career for the young star.
1 Whitney Houston
The Bodyguard (1992)
The Bodyguard
Director Mick Jackson
Release Date November 25, 1992
Cast Kevin Costner , Whitney Houston , Gary Kemp , Bill Cobbs , Ralph Waite , Tomas Arana , Michele Lamar Richards , Mike Star
Runtime 129 Minutes
Whitney Houston’s performance in The Bodyguard is celebrated as one of the most popular non-actor acting debuts, allowing her to crossover from singing into acting. Just as she was able to cross over from singing to acting, she was able to cross over musically as well, breaking racial barriers as an R&B and pop artist. By the time she starred in the romantic thriller The Bodyguard, she had already released three studio albums and performed “The Star Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl.
The Bodyguard received mixed reviews, but it was 10th highest-grossing film to that date, partly thanks to her chemistry with co-star Kevin Costner. In The Bodyguard, Houston plays Rachel Marron, a famous actress and singer who hires a former Secret Service agent (Costner) to protect her from an unknown stalker. Perhaps even more successful than the film was its soundtrack, which featured Whitney Houston’s biggest song, “I Will Always Love You.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
