Famous actors that starred in music videos
Previously, we brought to you an edition of singers making their cameos in movies, this time around let's turn the tables and take a look at actors who have appeared in music videos.
These aren't just mere seconds cameos, however, as the actors featured are the stars of the music videos they're in!
Sure, this is no groundbreaking deal – King of Pop Michael Jackson had been putting famous faces in his music videos since the '80s, but there's just something about 2015 music videos that really set tongues a wagging.
One that really stands out is Tom Hanks outshining Justin Bieber in Carly Rae Jepsen's "I Really Like You" (fans really really really really really really liked it). It's simple, but him having fun lip-syncing to Carly's voice is a gem to watch.
Then there's Taylor Swift's music video that proves she has no 'bad blood' with her besties as a truckload of them was filling up all 4 minutes and 4 seconds of her "Bad Blood" music video. Music fans weren't that supportive, however, when Madonna did a similar concept for her "B***h I'm Madonna" video, the army of cameos in her video only incensed her fans, proving that cameos may be great but must be done sensibly so as not to be seen as a mere "visual name-dropping".
Still, bringing actors in to star (or make a short cameo) in music videos is a great way to promote a song. They attract fans to watch the video and in turn could get them hooked on the song. Moreover, it's a two-way street, appearing in music videos could be beneficial too for actors, recognising their faces could lead to music fans checking out their movies. It's a win-win for both collaborators.
Let's take a look at other actors that have starred in music videos:
Robert Downey Jr. – Elton John's "I Want Love" (2001)
Starting with an oldie but a goodie. Before he was busy avenging as Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. was a moody singer in Elton John's "I Want Love". This was before his career was revived by his Marvel character. In 2001 Downey Jr. was struggling to make a comeback after his rehab stint and this video helped him kickstart his career again. He has since starred in numerous movies (apart from Marvel's), including the "Sherlock Holmes" movies series. The 50-year-old will be seen reprising his superhero role in 2016's "Captain America: Civil War".
Anna Kendrick – LCD Soundsystem's "Pow Pow" (2010)
Anna Kendrick was seen singing in "Pitch Perfect 2" this year, but in 2010 she was singing to LCD Soundsystem's "Pow Pow". Well, not exactly, more like she wandered around in the odd-looking video while showing off her super powers (?) but it was still a treat for her fans to see her smiling face almost throughout the whole video. Child actress now all grown up; the 30-year-old shot to international fame with 2009's "Up in the Air". She acted in the "Twilight" franchise as Jessica and is well-known for her role as singer Beca in the "Pitch Perfect" movie series. Kendrick can be seen next in "Mr. Right", "The Accountant" and "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates".
Charlize Theron – Brandon Flowers' "Crossfire" (2010)
South African actress Charlize Theron has played many diverse characters over the years, most recently she wowed critics and fans alike with her Furiousa portrayal in George Miller's "Mad Max: Fury Road". Playing tough characters come easy to the 40-year-old as she has had experience, take Brandon Flower's "Crossfire" music video for instance, where she showed off her fighting skills as she rescues her man over and over again while battling ninjas and baddies. She will be reprising her role as Queen Ravenna in next year's "The Huntsman", a prequel-cum-spinoff to the 2012 movie "Snow White and the Huntsman". She is also currently filming "The Last Face", a movie directed by former fiancé Sean Penn.
Rupert Grint – Ed Sheeran's "Lego House" (2011)
English actor Rupert Grint, well-known as the wizard Ron Weasley in the "Harry Potter" franchise, uses his red-hair and pale skin to the fullest advantage as he impersonates singer Ed Sheeran in the singer's music video for "Lego House". Grint plays Sheeran's doppelganger in the video, where he even managed to go on stage as the singer at one point, even if just for a split second. Post-"Harry Potter", the 27-year-old has acted in movies such as "Into the White" and "Charlie Countryman". He will be seen next in upcoming movies "Enemy of Man" and "Moonwalkers".
Jake Gyllenhaal – The Shoes' "Time to Kill (2012)
If you've seen Jake Gyllenhaal's movie "Nightcrawler", you will enjoy his performance in The Shoes music video, "Time to Kill". Okay, he didn't go around randomly killing people in his 2014 movie but he did have that similar psychotic loner persona where he puts himself above everyone else. Filming the music video must have been a breeze for Gyllenhaal though as the multifaceted actor has donned many onscreen personalities throughout his movie career, from time-warped teen ("Donnie Darko") to gay cowboy ("Brokeback Mountain") to champion boxer ("Southpaw"), the 34-year-old has done them all. Catch him next as an expedition group leader Scott Fischer in "Everest".
