9 Rock Legends Who Tried Acting and Failed Miserably

Many classic rock musicians have ventured into acting, aiming to extend their artistic reach. However, not all have found success on the silver screen. Here are nine rock legends whose attempts at acting did not meet expectations, along with the movies they starred in.

1. Mick Jagger in Freejack (1992)

Mick Jagger, the lead singer of The Rolling Stones, took on a significant role in the science fiction film Freejack. He played a futuristic bounty hunter named Victor Vacendak. Despite his dynamic stage presence, the movie was not well-received, and Jagger’s performance was criticized. This venture into acting did not match the success he enjoyed in music.

2. David Bowie in The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)

David Bowie starred as Thomas Jerome Newton, an alien seeking water for his dying planet, in The Man Who Fell to Earth. While Bowie’s otherworldly persona seemed fitting, the film’s complex narrative left audiences divided. His portrayal received mixed reviews, and the movie did not achieve significant commercial success.

3. Bob Dylan in Hearts of Fire (1987)

Folk-rock icon Bob Dylan played a reclusive musician in Hearts of Fire. The film’s plot centers on a love triangle involving a young singer. Critics panned the movie, and Dylan’s performance was seen as lackluster. This attempt at acting did not resonate with audiences or critics.

4. Roger Daltrey in Lisztomania (1975)

Roger Daltrey, lead vocalist of The Who, portrayed composer Franz Liszt in Lisztomania. The film was a surreal take on the composer’s life, filled with bizarre imagery. Daltrey’s performance was overshadowed by the film’s eccentric style, and it failed to make a lasting impact.

5. Neil Diamond in The Jazz Singer (1980)

Neil Diamond took the lead role in a remake of The Jazz Singer, playing a young man torn between tradition and his passion for pop music. Despite his musical talent, Diamond’s acting was criticized, and the film did not perform well. This experience led him to focus more on his music career.

6. Phil Collins in Buster (1988)

Phil Collins, known for his work with Genesis and as a solo artist, starred in Buster, a film about a British train robber. While Collins received some praise for his role, the movie itself was met with mixed reviews and did not achieve significant box office success. His acting career did not flourish as his music did.

7. Sting in Dune (1984)

Sting, the frontman of The Police, played the role of Feyd-Rautha in the science fiction epic Dune. Despite the film’s ambitious scope, it was a commercial failure, and Sting’s performance was seen as over-the-top. His portrayal did not resonate with audiences, and his acting pursuits took a backseat to his music.

8. Tom Petty in The Postman (1997)

Tom Petty made a cameo appearance in The Postman, a post-apocalyptic film directed by and starring Kevin Costner. Petty played the Bridge City Mayor, essentially portraying himself in a dystopian future. The film was critically panned and a box office flop, and Petty’s brief role did little to bolster his acting credentials.

9. Dee Dee Ramone in Bikini Bandits (2002)

Dee Dee Ramone, bassist of the punk band The Ramones, appeared in the low-budget film Bikini Bandits. The movie was a mix of comedy and exploitation genres, and Ramone’s involvement was a departure from his musical roots. The film did not receive mainstream attention, and his acting was not widely recognized.