People who end up becoming actors typically tend to be incredibly creative. They obviously get to express that whenever they play a role on-screen, but sometimes that just isn't enough to scratch the creative itch that certain people have.
That's why many actors end up involved in multiple projects, whether it be creating their own podcast, teaching others to act, painting, or making music. Some actors do these things just for fun in order to take their mind off their work, yet others make genuine careers out of their side projects and they can actually end up becoming just as important as their acting work at times.
Zooey Deschanel
Zooey Deschanel is a very talented actress, but she also happens to be a brilliant singer. The New Girl star has a really beautiful voice, which is something that she showcased in the popular Christmas movie, Elf, where she got to sing and blend her two passions together.
Deschanel works together with M. Ward in the band She & Him when she's not acting, with the duo currently having six albums out together. They have toured as well, with this being a project that she takes incredibly seriously. And with a voice like that, who can blame her?
Jack Black
Jack Black is an unbelievably creative talent, having appeared in some of the greatest movies of all time, creating his own YouTube channel, and he happens to be in a rock band too. Tenacious D is a fantastic band who sing some hilarious R-rated style songs, which he does alongside Kyle Gass.
The band have great connections with other major rock bands such as Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age, and they have toured the world, becoming incredibly popular in the process. Of course, Jack Black blended his movie and music worlds with the film, The Pick Of Destiny, which told the story of the band and has ended up being a cult classic.
Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe is a legendary actor, and while people may not expect him to be a singer when seeing him in Gladiator, that is very much the case. Crowe showcased his vocal ability when he got involved in the movie musical version of Les Misérables, and that allowed him to really bring his love of singing forwards.
Crowe has been in a few groups over his lifetime, but his main project is the band, 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts. They've been around as a group since 1985 and he has continued to push his music with a new band called Indoor Garden Party, which formed in 2017.
Idris Elba
Idris Elba doesn't find himself in a band rocking out like other actors. However, he is also very attached to the music industry as he works as a DJ. It's a major part of Elba's life and has seen him really gain some brilliant success outside of his excellent acting career.
Elba actually started his life in the DJ'ing world before he became a big name as an actor, which is why he has continued it, even after blowing up as an actor. He has been able to perform at the likes of Coachella Festival, managing to create some fantastic raves in the process. Elba also performed the spoken word introduction in the Macklemore & Ryan Lewis song "Dance Off."
Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling showed the world how talented a singer he is during the musical, La La Land, but the hit movie musical isn't the only place people can hear Gosling sing. That's because he actually has his own band, Dead Man's Bones, which began in 2009.
Their music might not quite be what most people would expect though, as it is fairly gothic. The band do tend to sing love songs, but they do it about ghosts, ghouls and monsters, which is because they are a big passion and interest for Gosling and his fellow bandmate, Zach Shields.
Finn Wolfhard
Finn Wolfhard might only be young, but he is quickly making his mark in the entertainment world both as an actor and as a musician. The young Stranger Things star was part of a four-piece indie rock band called Calpurnia.
Sadly, the band came to an end in 2019, but Wolfhard still has a passion for music and considering he was the lead singer and lead guitarist for the band, he would certainly fit into any other group in the future. That is, if he can find the time during his very busy acting career.
Macauley Caulkin
Only Macaulay Culkin would be able to come up with a band like The Pizza Underground. They were a cover band who sing Velvet Underground songs, but instead of just copying them word for word, they replace specific lyrics with pizza-related content.
It's all done with a tongue in cheek attitude and is just tons of fun. However, the band is sadly no longer playing shows and are currently broken up, but there still remains a hardcore fanbase out there for them— so perhaps one day they will reunite.
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Typically, Christopher Mintz-Plasse plays over the top comedic characters, but he is able to take things seriously as well which he showcases with his music. Mintz-Plasse has a big passion for playing music and he was originally part of a band called The Young Rapscallions, but they split in 2015.
However, showing his real love for music, Christopher then formed another band, called MainMan, where he now plays the bass guitar for the band and continues to create music alongside his acting career.
Billy Boyd
Billy Boyd is best known for his time in Middle Earth where he played the character of Peregrin "Pippin" Took, who quickly became one of the most popular characters within the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. During the final movie, he had a very emotional moment where he sang "Edge of the Night," and it showed his singing ability.
But that wasn't just a one-off. Boyd is a professional singer, and he actually has his own band called Beecake who formed in 2006 and still remain a group to this day, producing music and playing live.
Jared Leto
Is there anything Jared Leto can't do at this point? He's a terrific actor, a brilliant model, and he is also a rock star. Leto has proven himself to be a terrific actor throughout his career, with his standout role coming from Dallas Buyers Club.
However, while lots of people know him for his work on-screen, there are just as many people who classify his main job as being on a stage. That's because his band, 30 Seconds To Mars, are incredibly successful, having toured the world, headlined festivals, and sold over 15 million albums worldwide.