I often think about how closely related acting and singing are. They both involve storytelling and the donning of various personas. Many singers have successfully made the transition to acting in films and on TV. Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, and lots more. When I researched country singers who turned to acting, a list of two dozen names came up. It included famed artists like Johnny Cash, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Aldean, and loads of others as well.
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I guess the allure of acting is strong for singers. If you are great at one, the other usually comes calling. We picked out four country stars who were bitten by the acting bug.
Kris Kristofferson
Many recall Kristofferson's role in the 1976 reboot of A Star Is Born with Barbra Streisand. He played a hard-living, hard-drinking singer on the downswing. Streisand was a rising young hotshot vocalist with her whole life and career ahead of her. Like water and oil, the two did not mix well. Throw in some professional jealousy, passionate love, and great songs like "Evergreen" and you have the makings of a classic. The ending was predictably tragic. Kristofferson was exceptional, getting a Best Actor Golden Globe, per yardbarker.com. He did equally well in the Martin Scorsese-directed flick Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore with Ellen Burstyn.
Elvis Presley
Elvis had a riveting presence on screen. The 21-year-old who wrapped a nationwide audience around his finger on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956 never lost that charm and charisma. Unfortunately, many of the films he made, although entertaining, never seemed to explore his full potential as an actor. I recall reading once that he rued the fact that Hollywood movie execs did not allow him to grow as an actor by giving him more demanding, serious roles. Watch Elvis in Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock, and Blue Hawaii. Despite the flimsy, formulaic scripts, he always shines.
Glen Campbell
Glen "Wichita Lineman" Campbell was in the original 1969 version of the film True Grit with John Wayne and Kim Darby. With his likable demeanor and striking good looks, he was a natural in front of the camera. Campbell had his own variety show on TV from 1969 to 1972, so he must have felt completely at ease on stage as a singer and a personality.
Dolly Parton
Parton has impressive credits as an actress like she does as a singer and songwriter. Some of the films she has appeared in include 9 to 5, Steel Magnolias, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. In 9 to 5, she held her own with two veteran performers - Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. Parton wrote and sang the theme song too. Talk about multi-tasking!
