In the world of music and film industries in the United States, there are several who have crossed over both entertainment branches. Music artists can relate well as they are known to project emotionally through the songs they render. Those from the newer set of generations may find it easier to transcend as music videos now are themed with cinematic undertones.
There are several artists who have appeared in cameo roles for films. But there are those who have gone several notches higher by starring in full-length movies and their talents were recognized by award-giving bodies.
Here are five musicians who landed meaty roles in Hollywood and were awarded for their portrayals.
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand started out first in the Broadway musical "The Funny Girl" in 1964 where she was nominated in the Tony Awards. Having lost the prestigious award, Streisand reprised the same role in the cinematic version with a more powerful rendition. Her acting and voice prowess was noticed by The Academy and accorded her first Oscar for Best Actress in 1969 tying with actress Katherine Hepburn. Streisand was nominated again in the Best Actress category in the Oscars in 1973 for her role in "The Way We Were." In 1977, she was awarded by Golden Globes as Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) for the original version "A Star is Born." The "People" singer is one of the very few artists who are in the EGOT circle, having won the four award-giving bodies - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Cher's portrayal as the widowed Loretta Castorini in the comedy-drama "Moonstruck" was so convincing that she lorded the coveted Oscar Best Actress award in 1988 over Glenn Close in "Fatal Attraction" and Holly Hunter in "Broadcast News." She grabbed the Golden Globe trophy in the same category. Previous to this, she received her first acting award in Golden Globe for her supporting role in "Silkwood" in 1984. She was also nominated by the Academy for her acting role on the said film. The legendary debonair crooner was not only best while singing his ballads. He turned up a hefty portrayal of a military private officer in the film "From Here to Eternity" that he won Best Supporting Awards from both the Academy and Golden Globe in 1954. Sinatra has also under his belt Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in 1958 for the movie "Pal Joey," The Broadway musical "Dreamgirls" was given life in the cinemas in 2006 and Hudson debuted in the film as Effie White. The former American Idol contender bagged the award for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role in the 2007 Academy and Golden Globe. Having won at a young age of 25, Hudson became the youngest African-American woman to take home an Oscar. She also won in the British Academy Film Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and Critics' Choice Movie Award for the same role. Jared Leto started out as a singer-songwriter with the rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars which he formed with his brothers in 1998. He ventured into acting and started on a TV show in 2004. He branched out into the movies and in 2013, was cast in "Dallas Buyers Club" as a transgender woman. Critics appreciated his realistic portrayal, even losing 30 pounds for the character Rayon and he raked in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role Award from the Academy, Golden Globe, Critics' Choice, and Screen Actors' Guild.
Barbra Streisand received the Golden Globe Award in 1969.
Cher
Frank Sinatra
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson won four major acting awards for her role in "Dreamgirls."
Jared Leto
