The undisputed king of acting singers, and he can’t even sing. He has played superheroes. He has played Muhammad Ali. He has played a futuristic cowboy who hates giant metal spiders. There’s nothing he can’t do.
Pictured: Ali (2001) Photograph: PR
Nobody could have guessed that an American Idol reject would win an Oscar for her raw performance in Dreamgirls. Or, admittedly, follow it up with a disappointing bitpart in the Sex and the City film.
Pictured: Dreamgirls (2006) Photograph: David James
He may have his numerous detractors but, given the right director, Wahlberg can be genuinely riveting to watch. Yes, he made The Happening – but, seriously, you try acting opposite wind.
Pictured: The Fighter (2010) Photograph: Jojo Whilden
When he put the right amount of effort in, Sinatra could be a compelling screen presence. He even won an Oscar for From Here to Eternity. He also made Cannonball Run II, but shush.
Pictured: From Here to Eternity (1953) Photograph: Everett Collection/Rex Feature
For someone with such an immobile face, Cher has enormous range. She won an Oscar for Moonstruck. She was heartbreaking in Mask. She turned up for work on Burlesque. That’s dedication.
Pictured: Mask (1985) Photograph: Cine Text/Sportsphoto Ltd/Allstar
She has spent the last decade and a half playing identically brassy bitparts in terrible films, but Midler had real power once. Admittedly only in other terrible films, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Pictured: The Rose (1979) Photograph: Moviestore Collection/Rex Features
To be fair, he has only really played himself – albeit a mumbling, monotone version of himself – in 8 Mile. But playing yourself can be harder than it looks. Exhibit A: Spice World: The Movie.
Pictured: 8 Mile (2002) Photograph: Universal/Sportsphoto Ltd/Allstar
Naturalistic and unshowy, Mariah Carey was a genuine revelation in Precious. Not that anyone has got more than three minutes into Precious without wanting to slash their wrists, obviously.
Pictured: Precious (2009) Photograph: Lionsgate/Sportsphoto Ltd/Allstar
Calling Sting a more tolerable actor than singer sounds like a backhanded compliment. That’s because it is. Watch Brimstone & Treacle and you can almost forgive him for Shape of my Heart. Almost.
Pictured: Brimstone & Treacle (1982) Photograph: Moviestore collection Ltd / Alam/Alamy
Timberlake’s determination to be an actor rather than a singer hasn’t paid off yet, but he’s sticking with it. Hopefully he will come good soon, or God help us all.
Pictured: The Social Network (2010) Photograph: Col Pics/Everett/Rex Features
