Musicians in Movies: Cameos & Starring Roles

If you're a music-lover, you may have taken note of certain artists/bands performing and/or starring in certain films.

Here is a list of musicians and bands (in ABC order) that have either starred or made cameos in specific movies. Feel free to add your own favorites.

(Note: This list doesn't include people who are primary actors or who have delved into music late in their film careers, or who have double the film credits that they do albums. For example, Zooey Deschanel, Courtney Love, Marc Anthony, Madonna, Mos Def, Henry Rollins, Tom Waits, Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, Harry Connick Jr., Isaac Hayes, Cher, LL Cool J, Meat Loaf, Jennifer Lopez, Willie Nelson, Will Smith, Frank Sinatra, etc.)

Also not included are voiceovers [animated films] and documentaries.

Aaliyah

Romeo Must Die (2000)- As 'Trish'

Queen of the Damned (2002)- As 'Queen Akasha'

AC/DC

Private Parts (1997)- Performs

Aerosmith

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'FVB'

Wayne's World 2 (1993)- Cameo

Aimee Mann

The Big Lebowski (1998)- As 'Nihilist Woman'

Alanis Morissette

Dogma (1999)- As 'God'

Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)- As 'That Woman'

Radio Free Albemuth (2010)- As 'Sylvia'

Alice Cooper

Sextette (1978)- As 'Waitor'

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Marvin Sunk'

Monster Dog (1984)- As 'Vince'

Prince of Darkness (1987)- As 'Street Schizo'

The Attic Expeditions (2001)- As 'Samuel'

Suck (2009)- As 'Bartender'

Alice in Chains

Singles (1992)- Performs

Anthony Kiedis (of RHCP)

Point Break (1991)- As 'Tone'

Less Than Zero (1987)- Cameo/Performs

The Chase (1994)- As 'Will'

Aretha Franklin

The Blues Brothers (1980)- As 'Mrs. Murphy'

Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)- As 'Mrs. Murphy'

B.B. King

Blues Under the Skin (1973)- As 'Bluesman'

Give My Poor Heart Ease (1977)

Spies like Us (1985)- As 'Ace Tomato Agent'

Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)- As 'Malvern'

Billy Idol

The Doors (1991)- As 'Cat'

Mad Dog Time (1996)- As 'Lee Turner'

The Wedding Singer (1998)- Cameo

Billy Preston

St. Louis Blues (1968)- As 'boy Will Handy'

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Sgt. Pepper'

Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)- As 'Louisiana Gator Boys'

Ticker (2000)- As 'Blues Band Organ'

The Derby Stallion (2005)- As 'Will'

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

9 Songs (2004)- Performs

Blink 182

American Pie (1999) - Cameo

Bo Diddley

Trading Places (1983)- As 'Pawnbroker'

Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives! (1989)- As 'Guitarist'

Rockula (1990)- As 'Axman'

Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)- As 'Louisiana Gator Boys'

Bonnie Rait

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Guest'

Bono

Across the Universe (2007)- As 'Dr. Robert'

Chris Cornell

Singles (1992)- As 'Chris'

Chris Isaak

Married to the Mob (1988)- As 'The Clown'

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)- As 'SWAT Commander'

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)- As 'Agent Desmond'

Little Buddha (1993)- As 'Dean'

Grace of my Heart (1996)- As 'Matthew'

That Thing You Do! (1996)- As 'Uncle Bob'

Blue Ridge Fall (1999)- As 'Emerson'

A Dirty Shame (2004)- As 'Vaughn'

The Informers (2008)- As 'Les'

The Circle Jerks

Sid & Nancy (1986)- As 'Kittens'

The Clash

King of Comedy (1982)- As 'Street Scum'

Coyote Shivers

Empire Records (1995)- As 'Berko'

Curtis Mayfield

Short Eyes (1977)- As 'Pappy'

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Guest'

The Dandy Warhols

9 Songs (2004)- Performs

Dave Edmunds

Stardust (1974)- As 'Alex'

David Bowie

Just a Gigolo (1978)- As 'Paul Ambrosius von Przygodski'

The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)- As 'Thomas Newton'

The Hunger (1983)- As 'John'

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983)- As 'Major Celliers'

Into the Night (1985)- As 'Colin Morris'

Absolute Beginners (1986)- As 'Vendice Partners'

The Labyrinth (1986)- As 'Jareth the Goblin King'

The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)- As 'Pontius Pilate'

The Linguini Incident (1991)- As 'Monte'

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)- As 'Phillip Jeffries'

Basquiat (1996)- As 'Andy Warhol'

Il mio West (1998)- As 'Jack Sikora'

B.U.S.T.E.D. (1999)- As 'Bernie'

Exhuming Mr. Rice (2000)- As 'Mr. Rice'

The Prestige (2006)- As 'Tesla'

August (2008)- As 'Cyrus Ogilvie'

David Essex

In The Devil's Garden (1971)- As 'Man in Shop'

All Copper's Are…(1972)- As 'Ronnie'

That'll be the Day (1973)- As 'Jim'

Stardust (1974)- As 'Jim'

The Big Bus (1976)- As 'Passenger'

Silver Dream Racer (1980)- As 'Nick'

Journey of Honor (1991)- As 'Don Pedro'

Dee Snider

Private Parts(1997)- Cameo

Des'ree

Romeo + Juliet (1996)- Performs

Dexter Holland (The Offspring)

Idle Hands (1999)- As 'Band Lead Singer'

DMX

Belly (1998)- As 'Buns'

Romeo Must Die (2000)- As 'Silk'

Boricua's Bond (2000)

Exit Wounds (2001)- As 'Latrell'

Cradle 2 the Grave (2003)- As 'Anthony'

Never Die Alone (2001)- As 'King David'

Death Toll (2008)- As 'The Dog'

Last Hour (2008)- As 'Black Jack'

Jump Out Boys (2008)- As 'Thorn'

The Bleeding (2009)- As 'Tagg'

Dr. John

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Guest'

Candy Mountain (1988)

Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)- As 'Louisiana Gator Boys'

Earth Wind & Fire

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- Performs

Eddie Floyd

Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)- As 'Ed'

Eddie Vedder

Walk Hard- The Dewey Cox Story (2007)- Cameo

Elbow

9 Songs (2004)- Performs

Elton John

Tommy (1975)- As 'Local Lad'

Elvis Costello

Americathon (1979)- As 'Earl of Manchester'

No Surrender (1985)- As 'Rosco'

Straight to Hell (1987)- As 'Hives'

200 Cigarettes (1999)- Cameo

Prison Song (2001)- As 'Public Defender/Teacher'

De-Lovely (2004)- Performs

Eminem

8 Mile (2002)- As 'Rabbit'

Eric Clapton

Tommy (1975)- As 'The Preacher'

Water (1985)- As 'The Singing Rebels' Band

Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)- As 'The Louisiana Gator Boys'

Erykah Badu

Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)- As 'Queen Mousette'

The Cider House Rules (1999)- As 'Rose Rose'

House of D (2004)- As 'Lady/Bernadette'

Etta James

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Guest'

Tap (1989)- As 'Blues Singer'

Flava Flav

Private Parts (1997)- Cameo

Flea

(of RHCP)

Suburbia (1983)- As 'Razzle'

Dudes (1987)- As 'Milo'

Less Than Zero (1987)- Cameo/Performs

Stranded (1987)- As 'Jester the Alien'

The Blue Iguana (1988)- As 'Floyd'

Back to the Future: Part 2 (1989)- As 'Needles'

Back to the Future: Part 3 (1990)- As 'Needles'

Motorama (1991)- As 'Busboy'

My Own Private Idaho (1991) -As 'Budd'

Roadside Prophets (1992)- As 'Too Free Stooges'

The Chase (1994)- As 'Dale'

The Big Lebowski (1998)- As 'Nihilist #2'

Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)- Cameo

Psycho (1998)- As 'Bob Summerfield'

Liar's Poker (1999)- As 'Freddie'

Goodbye, Casanova (2000)- As 'Silent'

Frankie Valli

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Guest'

Dirty Laundry (1988)- As 'Macho'

Modern Love (1990)- As 'Mr. Hoskins'

Eternity (1992)- As 'Taxpayer'

Opposite Corners (1997)

Franz Ferdinand

9 Songs (2004)- Performs

Gavin Rossdale

Little Black Book (2004)- As 'Random'

Constantine (2005)- As 'Balthazar'

The Game of their Lives (2005)- As 'Stanley'

How to Rob a Bank (2007)- As 'Simon'

George Harrison

A Hard Day's Night (1964)- As 'George'

Help! (1965)- As 'George'

Water (1985)- As 'Singing Rebels' Band'

Shanghai Surprise (1986)- As 'Night Club Singer'

GZA

Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)- Cameo

Hank Williams Jr.

A Time to Sing (1969)- As 'Dodd'

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Guest'

Harry Nilsson

Skidoo (1968)- As 'Tower Guard'

Son of Dracula (1974)- As 'Count Downe'

Heart

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Guest'

Iggy Pop

Sid & Nancy (1986)- As 'Guest'

The Color of Money (1986)- As 'Skinny Player'

Hardware (1990)- As 'Angry Bob'

Cry-Baby (1990)- As 'Belvedere Rickettes'

Tank Girl (1995)- As 'Rat Face'

Dead Man (1995)- As 'Sally Jenko'

Atolladero (1995)- As 'Madden'

The Crow: City of Angels (1996)- As 'Curve'

The Brave (1997)- As 'Man Eating Bird Leg'

Snow Day (2000)- As 'Mr. Zellweger'

Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)- Cameo

Suck (2009)- As 'Victor'

Art House (2010)- As 'Gordon Ohr'

Jack White (of the White Stripes)

Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)- Cameo

James Brown

The Blues Brothers (1980)- As 'Cleophus James'

Doctor Detroit (1983)- As 'Bandleader'

Rocky IV (1985)- As 'The Godfather of Soul'

Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)- As 'Cleophus James'

Janet Jackson

Poetic Justice (1993)- As 'Justice'

Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000)- As 'Denise'

Why Did I Get Married? (2007)- As 'Patricia'

Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010)- As 'Patricia'

For Colored Girls (2010)- As 'Jo/Red'

Joe Cocker

Across the Universe (2007)- As 'Mad Hippie'

Joe Strummer

Mystery Train (1989)- As 'Johnny aka Elvis'

John Lennon

A Hard Day's Night (1964)- As 'John'

Help! (1965)- As 'John'

How I Won the War (1967)- As 'Gripweed'

Fire in the Water (1967)

John Mayall:

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Guest'

Sunset Strip (1985)- As 'Roger'

John Mellencamp

Falling from Grace (1992)- As 'Bud'

After Image (2001)- As 'Joe'

Lone Star State of Mind (2002)- As 'Wayne'

John Popper

Private Parts (1997)- Cameo

Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)- As 'Motel Band'

Just for the Time Being (2000)- As 'Frankie'

Jon Bon Jovi

Moonlight and Valentino (1995)- As 'The Painter'

The Leading Man (1996)- As 'Robin'

Little City (1997)- As 'Kevin'

No Looking Back (1998)- As 'Michael'

Homegrown (1998)- As 'Danny'

Row Your Boat (1999)- As 'Jamey Meadows'

U-571 (2000)- As 'Lt. Pete Emmett'

Pay it Forward (2000)- As 'Ricky'

Vampires: Los Muertos (2002)- As 'Derek'

Cry Wolf (2005)- As 'Rich'

Pucked (2006)- As 'Frank'

Justin Timberlake

Longshot (2001)- As 'Valet'

Edison (2005)- As 'Pollack'

Alpha Dog (2006)- As 'Frankie'

Southland Tales (2006)- As 'Abilene'

Black Snake Moan (2006)- As 'Ronnie'

The Love Guru (2008)- As 'Jacques'

The Open Road (2009)- As 'Carlton'

The Social Network (2010)- As 'Sean'

K.D. Lang

Salmonberries (1991)- As 'Kotzeblue'

Teresa's Tattoo (1994)- As 'Michelle'

Eye of the Beholder (1999)- As 'Hilary'

Keith Moon

200 Motels (1971)- As 'The Hot Nun'

That'll Be the Day (1973)- As 'J.D.'

Son of Dracula (1974)- As 'Musician'

Stardust (1974)- As 'J.D.'

Tommy (1975)- As 'Uncle Ernie'

Sextette (1978)- As 'Dress Designer'

Kid Rock

Joe Dirt (2001)- As 'Robby'

Biker Boyz (2003)- As 'Dogg'

KISS

Detroit Rock City (1999)- Performs

Letters to Cleo

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)- Performs

Liz Phair

Cherish (2002)- As 'Brynn'

Seeing Other People (2004)- As 'Yoga Teacher'

Lou Reed

Prozac Nation (2001)- Performs

Marilyn Manson

Lost Highway (1997)- As 'Porno Star #1'

Jawbreaker (1999)- As 'The Stranger'

Party Monster (2003)- As 'Christina'

The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things (2004)- As 'Jackson'

M.C. Hammer

Private Parts (1997)- Cameo

Meg White (of the White Stripes)

Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)- Cameo

Method Man

One Eight Seven (1997)- As 'Dennis'

Cop Land (1997)- As 'Shondel'

Belly (1998)- As 'Shameek'

Boricua's Bond (2000)

How High (2001)- As 'Silas'

My Baby's Daddy (2004)- As 'No Good'

Garden State (2004)- As 'Diego'

Soul Plane (2004)- As 'Muggsy'

Venom (2005)- As 'Deputy Turner'

The Heart Specialist (2006)- As 'Lorenzo'

The Wackness (2008)- As 'Percy'

Meet the Spartans (2008)- As 'Persian Emissary'

Sinners & Saints (2010)- As 'Weddo'

Mick Jagger:

Ned Kelly (1970)- As 'Ned Kelly'

Performance (1970)- As 'Turner'

Running out of Luck (1987)- As 'Mick'

Free jack (1992)- As 'Vacendak'

Bent (1997)- As 'Greta'

The Man From Elysian Fields (2001)- As 'Luther'

Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Clueless (1995)- Performs

Moby

Joe's Apartment (1996)- As 'Richard'

Moby Presents: Alien Sex Party (2003)- As 'Dildo Head'

Suck (2009)- As 'Beef'

Moonpools & Caterpillars

Wish Upon a Star (1996)- Performs

Mother Love Bone

Singles (1992)- Performs

Nas

Belly (1998)- As 'Sincere'

Ticker (2001)- As 'Fuzzy'

Sacred is the Flesh (2001)- As 'Isa'

Uptown Girls (2003)- As 'Celebrity'

Neil Young:

Human Highway (1982)- As 'Lionel Switch'

Made in Heaven (1987)- As 'Truck Driver'

'68 (1988)- As 'Westy'

Love at Large (1990)- As 'Rick'

Greendale (2003)- As 'Bernard Shakey'

Ozzy Osbourne

Trick or Treat (1986)- As 'Aaron'

The Jerky Boys (1995)- As 'Band Manager'

Private Parts (1997)- Cameo

Paul McCartney

A Hard Day's Night (1964)- As 'Paul'

Help! (1965)- As 'Paul'

One Hand Clapping (1974)

Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984)- As 'Paul'

Eat the Rich (1988)- As 'Banquet Guest'

Perry Farrell

The Doom Generation (1995)- As 'Stop n Go Clerk'

Pete Droge

Almost Famous (2000)- Performs/Cameo

Pete Townshend

White City (1985)- As 'Pete'

Peter Frampton

Son of Dracula (1974)- Cameo

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Billy Shears'

Almost Famous (2000)- As 'Reg'

Powermad

Wild at Heart (1990)- Performs

Primal Scream

9 Songs (2004)- Performs

Redman

Colorz of Rafe (1999)- As 'Trevor'

How High (2001)- As 'Jamal'

Reel Big Fish

BASEketball (1998)- Cameo

Ringo Starr

A Hard Day's Night (1964)- As 'Ringo'

Help! (1965)- As 'Ringo'

Candy (1968)- As 'Emmanuel'

The Magic Christian (1969)- As 'Youngman Grand'

200 Motels (1971)- As 'Larry the Dwarf'

Blind man (1971)- As 'Candy'

That'll Be the Day (1973)- As 'Mike'

Son of Dracula (1974)- As 'Merlin'

Lisztomania (1975)- As 'The Pope'

Sextette (1978)- As 'Laslo'

Caveman (1981)- As 'Atouk'

Give my Regards to Broad Street (1984)- As 'Ringo'

Water (1985)- As 'Singing Rebels' Band'

To the North of Katmandu (1986)

Rise Against

Lords of Dog town (2005)- Performs

Robert Palmer

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Guest'

Roger Daltrey

Tommy (1975)- As 'Tommy'

Lisztomania (1975)- As 'Franz'

The Legacy (1975)- As 'Clive'

McVicar (1980)- As 'John'

Murder: Ultimate Grounds for Divorce (1984)- As 'Roger'

Pop Pirates (1984)- As 'Producer'

The Hunting of the Snark (1987)- As 'The Barrister'

Gentry (1987)- As 'Colin'

Cold Justice (1989)- As 'Keith'

Mack the Knife (1989)- As 'Street Singer'

Buddy's Song (1991)- As 'Terry'

If Looks Could Kill (1991)- As 'Blade'

Lightning Jack (1994)- As 'John'

Bad English I: Tales of a Son of a Brit (1995)

Like It Is (1998)- As 'Kelvin'

Best (2000)- As 'Rodney'

Com for Murder (2002)- As 'Ben'

RZA

Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)- Cameo

Save Ferris

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)- Performs

Sean Nelson (Harvey Danger)

My Effortless Brilliance (2008)- As 'Eric'

Shane MacGowan

Straight to Hell (1987)- As 'Bruno'

Eat the Rich (1988)- As 'Terrorist'

Slash

Private Parts (1997)- Cameo

The Underground Comedy Movie (1999)- As 'Pageant Host'

Steve Winwood

Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)- As 'Louisiana Gator Boys'

Sting

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)- As 'JD'

Quadrophenia (1979)- As 'Ace Face'

Brimstone and Treacle (1982)- As 'Martin Taylor'

Dune (1984)- As 'Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen'

Plenty (1985)- As 'Mick'

The Bride (1985)- As 'Baron Frankenstein'

Julia & Julia (1987)- As 'Daniel Osler'

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)- Cameo

Stormy Monday (1988)- As Finney

The Grotesque (1995)- As 'Fledge'

Super Furry Animals

9 Songs (2004)- Performs

Ted Nugent

Private Parts (1997)- Cameo

Tina Turner

Tommy (1975)- As 'The Acid Queen'

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Guest'

Mad Max: Beyond Thunder dome (1985)- As 'Aunty Entity'

Last Action Hero (1993)- As 'The Mayor'

Tom DeLonge (Of Blink 182)

Idle Hands (1999)- Cameo

Tom Petty

Made in Heaven (1987)- As 'Stanky'

The Postman (1997)- As 'Bridge City Mayor'

Tony Orlando

Waking Up in Reno (2002)- Performs

Trent Reznor

Light of Day (1987)- As 'The Problems'

Tunde Adebimpe (of TV On the Radio)

Rachel Getting Married (2008)- As 'Sidney'

Tupac

Nothing but Trouble (1991)- Performs

Juice (1992)- As 'Bishop'

Poetic Justice (1993)- As 'Lucky'

Above the Rim (1994)- As 'Birdie'

Bullet (1996)- As 'Tank'

Gridlock'd (1997)- As 'Spoon'

Gang Related (1997)- As 'Det. Rodriguez'

Twisted Sister

Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985)- Cameo

The Von Bondies

9 Songs (2004)- Performs

Whitney Houston

The Bodyguard (1992)- As 'Rachel'

Waiting to Exhale (1995)- As 'Savannah'

The Preacher's Wife (1996)- As 'Julia'

Wilson Pickett

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)- As 'Guest'

Blue Brothers 2000 (1998)- As 'Mr. Pickett'