Who's the greatest singer-turned-actress?

Garland doesn't count. Her talents were indistinguishable. I'd say she was an actress who turned singer.

The best singer who turned good actress is Doris Day. She remains an excellent singer and a hugely successful actress in all genres.

Of my generation, no question it's JHud. She's about to win her second Oscar. And the girl can b l o w.

From that pathetic list: Vivian Vance

Cher is not a good singer or actress. So there's that.

R2, it doesn't matter what Barbra considers herself. She began as a singer because she couldn't get cast in plays.

R3, Cher is a dynamic vocalist and a fantastic actress in the right role (Five and Dime, Silkwood, Mask, Moonstruck).

R1, I like J.Hud, but I'll be very surprised if she even gets an Oscar nomination this year. The competition is just too strong.

What's the opposite of embarras de richesses? My god, OP's list of stinkers!

R6, you're ... what's the opposite of bright?

At one time each woman on the list was considered a huge movie star after beginning as a singer.

Huh, R4? OP has compiled a shitty list. But uses the word "great." Cher is not a great singer or actress. Never once. The end.

Dynamic - occasionally. Fantastic - nah.

R7 You are high. LOL

Yeah Beyonce was a HUGE MOVIE STAR.

(Huge hipped movie star.)

Not even Whitney on crack would have called herself a huge movie star.

Whitney conquered everything she ever tried. She was a movie star - but would not have called herself one. Her films were all box office success. By the end of The Bodyguard she was already in trouble.

What Whitney achieved in pop culture should never be denigrated. She and Diana Ross are the gold standard. Each fantastic in different ways. Diana Ross should have been the first black actress to win an Academy Award. Everyone knows it's so. And exactly why she didn't win.

Whitney was never going to be a great actress, but she was more than a singing movie star. She had presence and real charm on screen. As in life. The best.

In 1978, after the blockbuster success of Grease, Olivia Newton-John was inundated with offers. Most of the films were vehicles for her that didn't get made, including a remake of Lili and a musical set on the French Riviera. She was bound by her recording contract to make another album, then she was talked into making Xanadu, which changed her career trajectory. But in 1978, she was a huge movie star.

R5 the woke Academy needs a black woman. Don't count her out

R14, nope. If wokeness is gonna figure into the lead acting nominations, there'll be two Black actors vying for best actor this year. Right now I think Halle Berry has as good a chance as J.Hud, but they're both in the second tier of predicted nominees.

Woke or not, The AA will nominate Hudson. Lots of people have been nominated in bad films. Why is it "woke" to recognize Hudson's incredible vocals and very good performance? She most certainly will be nominated and I don't even give a fuck about these things. It's just clear that she should be and will be.

R1, Garland wasn't an actress who became a singer, just the opposite. She began singing as a toddler. She didn't begin acting until she was 13.

Yeah but you're dumb R17. I've seen the bios of that crazy bitch too. Garland didn't become a really good singer until 10 years into her film career and not an iconic concert artist until after she left MGM. She didn't even know what she could do vocally before she was 30 some years old. Not uncommon.

R18, Oh, so Garland wasn't a good singer when she recorded "(Somewhere) Over the Rainbow." Got it. Sheesh!

Gagita. And oh yes, hunties, there will be a third film…

I agree with R1. Doris Day.

Did I say she couldn't sing then R19? Old gay men are so sensitive about Judy Garland. I said she was an actress who became a singer. And I know that still. She wouldn't sell a record if not for her presence on film when she was young. A distinctive and powerful voice, but not one that you listen to on the gramophone. That swelling voice and wayward vibrato. Nah. She sang like Al Jolson. Garland was an actress who sang. Exceptionally well, in person. She was a full force event. Put on a show and her voice was a thrill. Theatrical. For a brief period between 1950 & 1962, but not often. She had occasional grand moments after. But as a pure vocalist - she was a better actress. Gaga and Bette Midler remind me of Garland. They have great voices only when you are watching them perform. And sad Liza is the same. Except she never was a great singer, even while performing.

JHud is a better singer than actress. As was Whitney. And Streisand.

Gaga is neither. Cher is neither.

Garland was quite great at both, but an actress who sang first. Got it? Her voice alone would never be a hit.

R22, you don't seem to know much about film acting or popular singing.

Huh? I can only consider the source R23. You're not very confident are you?

Classic pre-Stonewall queen here. Judy slays.

R24, you can spout off some factoids, but based on your comment you don't understand the nuances of film acting and singing. One doesn't have the longevity of Cher without being incredibly talented both as an actress and a singer.

Haha! Cher is a minor talent as a singer and actress. She was once not bad at being Cher.

Lol, gaga and madonna are hardly great singers let alone great actresses. It's between babs and judy.

R22, thanks, that was funny. Delusional, but funny.

R1, agree re Doris Day. However I wasn't aware that she was still singing and acting.

Thank you R29. I am R1 AND R29! Your appreciation of me is boundless. Sometimes it is best to listen to the experts. You're welcome.

Doris Day still sings. Do you own a streaming device? She's singing all damn day. She still acts too.

Judy Garland only "performs." She's exhausting to listen to.

Cher does that thing with her mouth and throat that sold a lot of records.

Oh Lord, R28. Gaga is a damn good singer. Just stop being silly. Hate her all you want, but she can sing. And so far she seems to be a damn good actress too. But her filmography isn't diverse enough just yet to truly judge.

Whitney could have been a great actress, but she never really challenged herself. (And I say this being the kid in high school who was obsessed with The Bodyguard film and soundtrack!) She's the best singer on the list, however.

Beyonce? No. Decent singer, wooden actress.

Diana is ethereal and a personal favorite, but I wouldn't call her a great actress. She's not really a great singer either. Though I love her voice and songs.

JHud is hard not to root for. She's certainly a great singer. But I haven't really been wowed by her as an actress. Haven't seen Aretha yet, so I should hold judgement for now.

Madonna is the biggest star of all, but she simply can't act. Shockingly so.

Cher is great. I'd put her just after Barbra.

Barbra is first for me. Judy would be, but she's really an actress turned singer.

Well I am also really R22. But only with my reading glasses. I can't be R29. Not for another 30 years! I apologize.

Thank goodness R31 has a brain who understands the question. Judy is an actress turned singer. Cher is an alleged singer turned alleged actress. This is correct.

You can repeat it as often as you like R30, but France Gumm was a singer first. Period.

Truth is I don't think Judy Garland was ever a great singer. First or later. So you can put her throbbing warble in whatever order that helps you sleep R33. Goodnite.

Cher. She didn't need to sing. Barbara was good early on. Then she became a camp goddess. It's too early to tell with Gaga. The rest don't count.

Am I the only actress turned singer? I'd say so.

Liberace

Some lesser names who were also successful singers-turned-actress:

Julie London

Della Reese

Petula Clark

Others:

Marcia Strassman was a one-hit wonder many years before "Welcome Back, Kotter."

Barbara McNair (popular singer; did a few movie and TV roles)

Connie Francis

Reba McEntire

Dolly Parton

Judy is the obvious choice, followed by Barbra, then Doris Day. All were top box office attractions. Madonna could have joined them even though she couldn't act but she made terrible decisions thinking she was a great artist.

Judy and Barbra are by far the most gifted female entertainers ever- no contest- and two of the greatest singers of any genre, ever. Any and every media they worked in the excelled.

Ever hear of Hattie McDaniel, R12?

[quote]Any and every media they worked in the excelled.

Oh, dear.

Barbra. Even Judy pales in comparison.

To the taste-free queen who thinks Cher and Gaga are untalented, suck on this!

Gaga is looking like a Gorilla in the Airport Lounge right now on the Tony Bennett special! She's like a clumsy, less sincere, untalented, badly dressed Liza. Not a tasteful or theatrical bone in her gross display. Whew, she stinks.

R46, I know I speak for many when I say I'd like to see a photo of you.

R46 Couldn't disagree more. The audience loves her too. I'm not a huge fan but I really do think she is an amazing entertainer.

She's grotesque. Vocally, and in more obvious ways.

You're welcome.

Christ - Gaga gets worse. That pinched nasal strained voice. Liza can sing NY NY better from her grave.

Note to ga-ga. This is how it's sung. And done.

Methinks Benson Boone WILL be the greatest singer-turned-actress.

All the Gaga haters will be eating crow when she gets her second best actress Oscar nod.

That's right, R54, second best!

Wow. Natalie Cole was in a class all her own. Fantastic. That song is a banger @ R52. Gaga looked and sounded like a drunk lounge singer.

Dear God, I hate Beyoncé.

Benson Boone is yummy.