While many aspiring actors may land significant roles in television or film early in their careers, numerous stars have taken notable steps through the world of music videos. These visual accompaniments play a crucial role in enhancing a song’s success, making it essential for artists to tell compelling stories through their productions. Larger productions often feature current stars, such as Green Day’s collaboration with Gaten Matarazzo in “Meet Me on the Roof,”showcasing a blend of skilled musicianship and budding talent.
Ariana Grande and Blink-182 also pursued this route, casting various stars in their respective music videos for “thank u, next”and “Happy Days.”Yet, there are instances where artists recognize a unique promise in an actor and choose to feature them, often before their careers truly ignite. The impact of appearing in a music video can be substantial, demonstrating the universal appeal of music that invariably attracts vast audiences. With platforms like YouTube enabling videos to rack up millions of views, it’s evident that being featured in such a project can significantly benefit an actor’s career.
Below, we explore a selection of actors who made an early splash in music videos before catapulting into stardom in the acting world.
10 Courteney Cox
Bruce Springsteen – Dancing In The Dark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=129kuDCQtHs
In the 1980s, Bruce Springsteen became a cultural phenomenon, propelled by hits like “Born in the U.S.A.”and “Glory Days.”His track “Dancing In the Dark”not only made an impact with its catchy tune but also through an iconic music video that featured a young Courteney Cox. Springsteen famously invited Cox on stage, marking a pivotal moment for her budding acting career—which eventually led to major roles in blockbuster films like Scream and the legendary TV series Friends.
9 Pedro Pascal
Sia – Fire Meet Gasoline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNdeLSKSZ1M
Having started his career in the mid-’90s, Pedro Pascal began gaining ground in Hollywood with roles in Game of Thrones and Bloodsucking Bastards. However, his collaboration with Sia in the “Fire Meet Gasoline”music video alongside model Heidi Klum further escalated his visibility. This appearance paved the way for his subsequent performances in Netflix’s Narcos and his iconic roles in major franchises like Star Wars’ The Mandalorian and HBO’s The Last of Us.
8 Diego Luna
Katy Perry – The One That Got Away
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahha3Cqe_fk
Diego Luna faced an exciting opportunity to star alongside pop sensation Katy Perry in her hit “The One That Got Away.”At the time, he had been gradually building his acting resume with notable performances alongside renowned stars. This collaboration not only amplified his profile, as the video exceeded over a billion views, but it also led to significant roles, particularly as Cassian Andor in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and subsequently in the acclaimed series Andor.
7 Jeremy Renner
P!NK – Trouble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFu3YzRnyDU
P!NK’s musical journey began with her debut album, and by her third album, Try This, she was already a household name. The song “Trouble,”accompanied by a creatively crafted Western-themed music video, featured Jeremy Renner as the jailer trying to keep P!NK locked up. This role played a significant part in Renner’s rise to stardom, leading to his famous portrayal of Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, among other roles.
6 Zooey Deschanel
The Offspring – She’s Got Issues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAxPLSvvbXY
Zooey Deschanel gained early industry recognition through her roles alongside illustrious names like Tim Allen and Jake Gyllenhaal. Her notable appearance in The Offspring’s video “She’s Got Issues,”where she portrays a girl juggling a chaotic life, contributed to her visibility just as her career began to heat up.
5 Nikki & Brie Garcia (The Bella Twins)
Atreyu – Right Side Of The Bed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqtDJyWlRFQ
The Bella Twins made their mark in metalcore through their appearance in Atreyu’s music video “Right Side of the Bed.”This early opportunity helped establish their identity in the entertainment industry, leading to their renowned wrestling careers and eventual induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
4 Matt LeBlanc
Jon Bon Jovi – Miracle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnM9WEha5E0
Matt LeBlanc, best known for his iconic role as Joey Tribbiani on Friends, made early inroads in the entertainment industry by acting in several music videos, including a pivotal role in Jon Bon Jovi’s “Miracle.”He also collaborated with other notable artists like Tom Petty and Alanis Morissette, creating a strong foundation before achieving TV stardom.
3 Joey King
Taylor Swift – Mean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYa1eI1hpDE
For many actors, an opportunity to collaborate with Taylor Swift is a career milestone. Joey King, who made an impactful appearance in Swift’s “Mean”music video, leveraged this opportunity into a successful acting career. Following this, she continued to shine in various films and even featured again in one of Swift’s recent videos for “I Can See You.”
2 Alicia Silverstone
Aerosmith – Cryin’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfNmyxV2Ncw
Alicia Silverstone’s collaboration with Aerosmith in the “Cryin'”video marked the beginning of a fruitful partnership with the band, leading to her appearances in two additional videos—”Amazing”and “Crazy.”These roles not only propelled her acting career but also set the stage for her breakout performance in the iconic film Clueless.
1 Aaron Paul
Korn – Thoughtless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVPvzX-AeSM
Korn’s “Thoughtless”music video showcased a young Aaron Paul, who would eventually rise to fame for his iconic role as Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad. This music video serves as a window into his early career, highlighting his journey to becoming one of the most sought-after actors today.