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We all know those movie scenes where an actor pretends to play guitar and it’s painfully obvious they’ve never touched one before. But there’s a special breed of Hollywood talent who can actually shred when the cameras stop rolling. Let’s take a look at some actors who genuinely know their way around six strings.
Johnny Depp
Before his acting career took off, Depp was actually a guitarist first. He dropped out of high school to pursue music and played in several garage bands. Though acting eventually paid the bills, he never abandoned his first love. He’s played guitar with legends like Marilyn Manson, Alice Cooper, and Joe Perry in the supergroup Hollywood Vampires.
Keanu Reeves
The internet’s favorite nice guy isn’t just good at kung fu and looking eternally young. Reeves played bass in the alternative rock band Dogstar throughout the ’90s. While primarily a bassist, he’s also a competent guitarist who’s been spotted many times with six-string in hand during downtime on movie sets.
Jeff Bridges
The Dude definitely abides when it comes to musical talent. Bridges is an accomplished guitarist and singer-songwriter who’s released multiple albums. His musical chops were on full display in “Crazy Heart,” where he played country singer Bad Blake – and yes, that was really him playing and singing.
Kevin Bacon
When he’s not connecting everyone in Hollywood through six degrees, Bacon performs with his brother Michael in The Bacon Brothers band. They’ve been at it since 1995, releasing several albums of folk-rock music with Kevin handling both guitar duties and vocals.
Ryan Gosling
Not content with just being a heartthrob, Gosling is also half of the indie rock duo Dead Man’s Bones. He sings and plays guitar, piano, and bass in the band. His musical talents have appeared in several of his films, including “La La Land” and “Blue Valentine.”
Jason Schwartzman
Best known for his work in Wes Anderson films, Schwartzman was actually the drummer for rock band Phantom Planet (who created “California,” The O.C. theme song) before his acting career took off. He’s since branched out as a solo artist under the name Coconut Records, where he frequently showcases his guitar skills.
Steven Seagal
In a surprising twist, action star Seagal has released two blues albums and is actually a pretty decent guitarist. He owns an extensive collection of vintage guitars and has performed with blues legends like B.B. King and Bo Diddley.
Russell Crowe
Long before becoming a Hollywood A-lister, Crowe performed under the name “Russ le Roq” in his native New Zealand. He later formed the band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts and currently plays with indoor Garden Party. While not a virtuoso, Crowe’s rhythm guitar skills are solid.
Hugh Laurie
The “House” star is actually a multi-instrumentalist who plays piano, drums, harmonica, saxophone, and guitar. He’s released two well-received blues albums and frequently incorporates guitar in his performances.
Zooey Deschanel
One half of the indie duo She & Him, Deschanel isn’t just a quirky actress – she’s also a talented musician who plays guitar, piano, and ukulele. Her vintage-inspired folk pop showcases her guitar skills alongside her distinct vocal style.
Jamie Campbell Bower
The “Stranger Things” villain has serious guitar chops from his time fronting the London punk band Counterfeit. His aggressive playing style and stage presence reveal a genuine passion for guitar that goes beyond just dabbling.
Jack Black
While known primarily for comedy, Black’s musical talents in Tenacious D are no joke. Though Kyle Gass handles most of the complex guitar work, Black is a competent guitarist who can definitely hold his own beyond just power chords.
What makes these actors stand out is their genuine passion for the instrument. They’re not just celebrities who picked up guitar for a role or to seem more interesting – they’ve put in the hours of practice that developing real musical skill requires.
The next time you see one of these actors “playing” guitar on screen, there’s a good chance they actually know what they’re doing – unlike many Hollywood guitar scenes where the fingering doesn’t remotely match the music. For these multi-talented performers, the line between actor and musician is wonderfully blurred.
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