Back in Time Today
Some people are blessed with extraordinary talent that transcends a single art form. These rare individuals dominate stages and screens with equal brilliance, collecting prestigious awards for both their vocal and dramatic abilities. Their versatility has redefined entertainment, proving that artistic boundaries are meant to be crossed. Get ready to discover the icons who’ve mastered both microphones and movie sets.
1. Barbra Streisand: The Ultimate Perfectionist
The Brooklyn-born powerhouse shattered glass ceilings across entertainment with uncompromising standards and raw talent. Her crystalline vocals earned eight Grammys, while her acting prowess secured two Academy Awards—one for ‘Funny Girl’ and another for composing ‘Evergreen’ from ‘A Star Is Born.’
As the only artist ever to receive Oscars for both acting and songwriting, Streisand’s legendary status remains untouchable. Her perfectionism is infamous; she once reportedly recorded a single word 134 times to get it right.
At 82, she still commands attention whenever she performs, her iconic voice virtually unchanged by time.
2. Lady Gaga: From Meat Dress to Method Acting
Stefani Germanotta transformed from avant-garde pop provocateur to respected dramatic actress without missing a beat. Her musical evolution has netted 13 Grammy Awards across dance, pop, and jazz categories, showcasing her chameleon-like artistic flexibility.
The transition to acting seemed unlikely for someone who once wore raw meat to an awards show. Yet her raw vulnerability in ‘A Star Is Born’ earned her an Oscar for ‘Shallow’ and a Best Actress nomination, followed by another for ‘House of Gucci.’
Her classically trained background (she studied at NYU’s Tisch School) underpins both her theatrical performances and emotional depth on screen.
3. Jennifer Hudson: The Dreamgirl Who Became Reality
From American Idol rejection to EGOT winner, Hudson’s journey epitomizes perseverance. Her thunderous voice first captivated audiences on television, but her breakthrough came portraying Effie White in ‘Dreamgirls’—a role that earned her an Oscar despite having virtually no prior film experience.
Grammy recognition followed for her self-titled debut album. The Tony Award came later as producer for Broadway’s ‘A Strange Loop,’ completing her EGOT status at just 40 years old.
What makes Hudson extraordinary isn’t just her vocal range but her ability to channel personal tragedy—including the murder of three family members—into performances of staggering emotional authenticity.
4. Cher: The Ageless Wonder
Six decades in entertainment and still reinventing herself, Cher defies categorization and time itself. Her distinctive contralto voice dominated charts across the 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond, earning a Grammy for dance anthem ‘Believe’ when she was already 52.
Hollywood initially dismissed her as a variety show personality. Then came ‘Moonstruck,’ where her portrayal of Loretta Castorini captured an Oscar and proved her dramatic weight. ‘If I could turn back time’ might be her signature song, but Cher has never needed to—she simply evolves forward.
Fun fact: She remains the only artist to have a #1 Billboard hit in six consecutive decades.
5. Jamie Foxx: The Chameleon
Few transformations have been as complete as Foxx’s portrayal of Ray Charles. The performance not only earned him an Academy Award but showcased his extraordinary musical abilities—he played all the piano parts himself. His Grammy for ‘Blame It’ confirmed what many already knew: Foxx possesses authentic musical talent beyond his acting.
Beginning as a comedian on ‘In Living Color,’ his versatility spans hilarious impressions to heart-wrenching dramatic performances. His work in ‘Collateral’ earned an Oscar nomination the same year he won for ‘Ray’—a nearly unprecedented achievement.
A classically trained pianist since age five, Foxx represents the rare case where musical talent preceded and enhanced acting success.
6. Jared Leto: The Method Musician
Radical commitment defines Leto’s dual careers. For ‘Dallas Buyers Club,’ he lost 30 pounds, lived as a trans woman for weeks before filming, and never broke character on set—efforts that secured him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Meanwhile, as frontman for Thirty Seconds to Mars, he’s filled arenas worldwide, earned a Guinness World Record for longest concert tour, and secured a Grammy nomination. The band has sold over 15 million albums globally.
His intensity occasionally sparks controversy, like sending live rats to ‘Suicide Squad’ castmates as method preparation. Despite Hollywood success, Leto regularly disappears for years to tour with his band—proving his musical passion isn’t secondary to acting fame.
7. Queen Latifah: Hip-Hop Royalty Turned Screen Queen
Before female rappers dominated charts, Dana Owens blazed trails with ‘U.N.I.T.Y.,’ earning a Grammy and establishing herself as hip-hop royalty. Her transition to acting wasn’t gradual—she conquered it with the same commanding presence that defined her music.
Her Oscar-nominated turn in ‘Chicago’ showcased triple-threat talents, while her portrayal of blues legend Bessie Smith earned an Emmy. Latifah’s production company, Flavor Unit Entertainment, further demonstrates her business acumen.
Unlike peers who abandoned music for Hollywood, she continues recording while starring in ‘The Equalizer.’ Perhaps most remarkably, she’s maintained her authentic voice across mediums—always advocating for women’s empowerment and body positivity.
8. Will Smith: From West Philadelphia to Hollywood Royalty
Before becoming box office gold, Smith dominated charts as half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, collecting four Grammys including the first-ever Rap Performance award. His transition from music to television seemed natural, but few predicted his eventual status as one of cinema’s most bankable stars.
His portrayal of boxing legend Muhammad Ali demonstrated dramatic depth far beyond his musical persona. After Oscar nominations for ‘Ali’ and ‘The Pursuit of Happyness,’ his performance in ‘King Richard’ finally secured the coveted statuette.
Smith’s career represents perfect timing—he recognized each industry’s shifting landscape and positioned himself accordingly, from rap pioneer to sitcom star to action hero to serious dramatic actor.
9. Eminem: The Wordsmith Who Conquered Hollywood
‘Lose Yourself’ made history as the first hip-hop song to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song—performed by Eminem in his semi-autobiographical film ‘8 Mile.’ The raw authenticity of both his acting and music created a cultural moment where rap finally received Hollywood recognition.
His 15 Grammy Awards across two decades confirm his lasting impact on music. While primarily focused on his recording career, his ‘8 Mile’ performance earned critical praise for its unvarnished portrayal of Detroit’s battle rap scene.
Marshall Mathers remains the only rapper to win an Oscar for a song he performed in his own film. Ironically, he skipped the ceremony, believing he had no chance of winning—and was sleeping when his name was announced.
10. Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M
Broadway, Hollywood, and the recording industry have all fallen under Midler’s spell since the 1970s. Her powerful vocals earned four Grammys, including Song of the Year for the tear-jerking ‘Wind Beneath My Wings,’ while her magnetic stage presence secured three Tony Awards.
Her fearless film performances, particularly in ‘The Rose’ and ‘Gypsy,’ garnered Golden Globe wins and Oscar nominations. Few performers can match her emotional range—from bawdy comedy to heart-wrenching drama.
At 78, Midler continues performing with undiminished energy. Her secret? A theatrical background that taught her to command attention whether belting a ballad or delivering a dramatic monologue. Her versatility extends to bestselling books and environmental activism.
11. Diana Ross: The Supreme Crossover
As lead vocalist of The Supremes, Ross helped define the Motown sound with 12 number-one hits before embarking on a solo career that would cement her status as music royalty. Her Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award acknowledges decades of influence across multiple genres.
Hollywood came calling with ‘Lady Sings the Blues,’ where her portrayal of Billie Holiday earned an Oscar nomination and Golden Globe. The performance stunned critics who had dismissed her as merely a pop singer.
At 80, Ross remains the blueprint for crossover success. Her influence extends beyond entertainment—she was among the first Black female performers to become a genuine international superstar, breaking racial barriers while maintaining artistic integrity.
12. Justin Timberlake: From Boy Band to Renaissance Man
Few child stars successfully transition to adult careers, but Timberlake shattered that stereotype. After NSYNC sold over 70 million records, he reinvented himself as a solo artist, collecting 10 Grammys across pop, R&B, and dance categories.
His acting career began with small roles but gained serious momentum with ‘The Social Network,’ where his portrayal of Sean Parker demonstrated unexpected dramatic depth. Emmy wins for his legendary ‘Saturday Night Live’ hosting stints showcased his comedic timing.
Unlike many musicians-turned-actors, Timberlake earned Hollywood respect through carefully chosen roles rather than star vehicles. His versatility extends to producing, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy—making him a true entertainment renaissance man.
13. Beyoncé: The Cultural Force
With 32 Grammy Awards—more than any artist in history—Beyoncé’s musical dominance is unquestionable. Her evolution from Destiny’s Child frontwoman to solo superstar to cultural icon represents artistic growth rarely seen in popular music.
Her acting career, while secondary to her music, has garnered significant recognition. ‘Dreamgirls’ earned her a Golden Globe nomination, while her groundbreaking concert film ‘Homecoming’ secured an Emmy. More recently, her voice work in ‘The Lion King’ and direction of visual albums demonstrated her expanding artistic vision.
What separates Beyoncé from peers is her complete artistic control—writing, producing, directing, and performing across mediums while maintaining both critical acclaim and commercial success.
14. Harry Belafonte: The Activist Artist
Before crossover success became common, Belafonte introduced Caribbean music to mainstream America with ‘The Banana Boat Song.’ His album ‘Calypso’ was the first by a single artist to sell over one million copies, earning him Grammy recognition when the award was in its infancy.
His acting breakthrough came with ‘Carmen Jones,’ but it was ‘Tonight with Belafonte’ that earned him an Emmy—the first for an African American producer. His Tony Award for ‘John Murray Anderson’s Almanac’ completed his collection of major entertainment honors.
Unlike many on this list, Belafonte frequently stepped away from entertainment for civil rights activism. He worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and used his artistic platforms to advance social justice until his death at 96.
15. Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Revolutionary Creator
Miranda revolutionized Broadway with ‘Hamilton,’ a hip-hop musical about America’s founding fathers that became a global phenomenon. His unprecedented creative vision earned three Tony Awards, three Grammys, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
His crossover to film includes composing for Disney’s ‘Moana’ and ‘Encanto,’ both earning Oscar nominations. As an actor, his work in ‘Hamilton’ secured an Emmy, while his directorial debut ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ demonstrated yet another facet of his talents.
What distinguishes Miranda is his ability to blend seemingly disparate elements—history with hip-hop, traditional theater with modern sensibilities. At 44, he’s already transformed entertainment while remaining just one Oscar away from achieving coveted EGOT status.