When someone is a wonderfully charismatic singer, acting is a hop, skip, and a jump away. Think of your favorite singer who gave a captivating performance on stage or in a music video. But you would be surprised at how many of the great actors started out as singers, or began singing and acting almost simultaneously, and went on to become very successful in film and television. Many of these performers got their start in musicals, which require both singing and acting skills. In any case, the pipe from singing to acting has always been and remains thick.

Below are 32 times when well-known singers broke ground in big acting projects.

"Love Song" singer-songwriter Sarah Behrries had released several successful albums when she debuted in 2015 as the lead in the musical Waitress. However, she has also been active on television, appearing in "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert" (2018) and "Girls5eva" (debuting in 2021).

Jessica Simpson signed with Columbia Records when she was literally a teenager, but quickly gained reality TV notoriety (Hello, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica) and interesting work on screen (That '70s Show ), which led to interesting work on screen ("That '70s Show," "The Dukes of Hazzard").

Bing Crosby enjoyed early success as a singer, but in the 1940s he began to star in musicals. Most recently known for White Christmas (1954), he won an Oscar for the musical Going My Way (1944) and was nominated for a sequel to the film.

Singer-songwriter Lenny Kravitz has had a legendary career as a musician, but look closely and you'll find him in your favorite movies and shows, from "Zoolander" to "The Hunger Games" and even episodes of "The Simpsons" and "Entourage." You'll notice that he's appeared in a bit of a role.

If all you know of Ludacris is his role as Tej in the "Wild Speed" series, you will be surprised to learn that he has become a successful rapper. If you only know Ludacris, the amazing rapper who brought us "What's Your Fantasy," there's a movie you should see.

Queen Bey's long and impressive music career has been known ever since the early days of Destiny's Child, but in the 2000s she began to try her hand at acting, most notably in Goldmember and Dreamgirls (she also continued her voice acting career, including a remake of The Lion King). (She also continues to do voice-over work, including a remake of The Lion King).

Taylor Swift is an expressive singer (see: all her music videos), so it was not too surprising that she turned her energy to acting. From "Valentine's Day" (2010) to the not-so-good "Cats" (2019) and "Amsterdam" (2022), she gave passionate performances.

Jennifer Hudson made her film debut in "Dreamgirls" (2006) shortly after becoming a finalist on "American Idol" (2004), and quickly won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance. Several films and talk shows followed.

To be precise, Mandy Patinkin became an actor and singer in musicals and on Broadway almost simultaneously, but before launching his professional career, he grew up singing in synagogue choirs. His big break came in 1983 with Barbra Streisand in "Yentl" (although he did not sing in this production).

One of the most important R&B and hip-hop singers of all time, Mary J. Blige's intensely soulful performances in films such as "Mudbound" (2017) and the Aretha Franklin biopic "Respect" (2021) have already

Mandy's performance in the film "The Bound" (2017) and the biopic "Respect" (2021) has already made moviegoers excited.

He admits to being a big fan of Mandy Moore's "Candy" (1999). On screen, he is probably best known for his role in "This Is Us," but he also voiced Rapunzel in "Tangled" and got his breakthrough in the romantic drama "A Walk to Remember" (2002).

Rapper Snoop Dogg often plays his laid-back, smooth self, but that doesn't mean he can't have fun. He is probably best known for his little roles in "Training Day" (2001), "Starsky & Hutch" (2004), and as a voice actor in the anime "Turbo" (2013).

If all you know of Mariah Carey is her performance as singing superstar Mariah Carey in the much-maligned "Glitter," check out "Precious" (2009). She's totally unrecognizable, but very good. She has since done voice work and cameos in animated films.

Although acting was not her primary work (that would be her legendary singing, of course), Whitney Houston has also appeared in The Preacher's Wife, The Bodyguard, Cinderella, Waiting to Exhale," and other 1990s film classics that remain unforgettable. [Songwriter and rapper Ice Cube quickly parlayed his '80s fame into an acting career, including memorable performances in "Boyz n the Hood" and "Friday." However, many people know him best for his most underrated performances in the films "21 Jump Street" and "Barbershop."

If you were to look back on the multi-hyphenate Rihanna as an actor, "Ocean's 8" and "Battleship" would immediately come to mind. But my favorite role of hers is in "Dis is the End," where she plays herself and hilariously punches Michael Cera's character in the face.

Since her debut in Dunkirk (2017), Harry Styles has appeared heavily in several films, including My Policeman and Don't Worry Darling, and (spoiler alert) a brief cameo at the end of The Eternals. Fans of Stiles couldn't be happier.

Stiles has appeared in musicals such as "Sweeney Todd" and "Beauty and the Beast," TV dramas such as "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," and films such as "Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Before making his film debut in the 1990s, Russell Crowe was a member of a band (he sang lead vocals and played guitar; he was also the lead singer) that lasted until the early 2000s. Crowe continues to sing and perform, usually not appearing in films, but occasionally in movies. (See: "Les Miserables.")

Madonna, like many of the things she did, made the transition from singer to actor before many others. Her film career was not as long as her decades-long singing career, but it still led to some great films, including "A League of Their Own" and "Evita."

If you only know Queen Latifah from her roles as an actress ("Girls Trip" and "Bessie," too many to name), you may be surprised to learn that she is also a Grammy-winning rapper and singer, and amazingly versatile in that field! You might be surprised to learn that.

The School of Rock star also likes to combine his passions for singing and acting) and is the lead singer and guitarist for the duo Tenacious D, which formed in the 1990s. Black's first on-screen appearances were in commercials in the 1980s, but his acting took off in the 2000s.

Award-winning singer Harry Connick, Jr. technically began his acting career in the 1990s (remember "Hope Floats"), but fans of the sitcom "Will & Grace" will probably know him best for his best-known role: Grace's boyfriend-turned-husband, Leo.

Janelle Monáe made everyone fall in love with her character in "The Glass Onion," but the singer has been on screen for a while now, in films like "Hidden Figures," "Moonlight," and "Antebellum." Her musical career came first, however, and she began working in the 2000s.

Idris Elba was in "Cats," as seen in this photo, but has appeared in many other films and TV shows; fans of The Wire were shocked to learn that it was actually a Brit who played Stringer Bell (Elba has a good accent). It may also shock you that this longtime rapper and DJ performed at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

As seen here as perhaps his best-known character (that would be the very creepy Jareth in Labyrinth), the iconic singer has indeed appeared in numerous films. From Tesla in "The Prestige" to his debut in "The Man Who Fell to Earth" in the 1970s, his filmography is fascinating.

Producers knew that the King of Rock 'n' Roll would draw audiences to movie theaters, so (not surprisingly) Elvis Presley was perfect for the movies, beginning in the 1950s and continuing after his military service with 1964's "Viva Las Vegas," which we would know him best.

Pictured is the Joker character: Lady Gaga first flexed her acting muscles in a dramatic music video; in the 2010s she began her film career in earnest, best known for "House of Gucci" and "Birth of a Star."

The couple, one half of the 1970s media personality and singing duo Sonny and Cher, enjoyed great success in music in the 1960s. Cher went on to have a long and successful career as a solo singer, winning an Academy Award for "Moonstruck."

One of the few EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Academy Award, and Tony Award) winners, Barbra Streisand began her career in films ("Funny Girl") in the 1960s, winning an Oscar for "The Way We Were" (1973) and an Academy Award for her role in the Oscar-winning " Yentl (1983), for which she directed and produced.

Country singing legend Dolly Parton has also worked as an actor, including a prominent role in 1980's "9 to 5." The film, co-starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, was remarkably prescient about working women, bad bosses, harassment, and many other issues.

The owner of one of the most famous and recognizable voices of all time, Sinatra also had a prolific and impressive film career (beginning with variety series in the 1950s). Sinatra won an Oscar for "Forever" (1953), but is perhaps best known for "The Manchurian Candidate" (1962).