10 Musicians Who Are Actually Good Actors

Madonna is a frequent subject of scorn, and there’s no denying that her filmography features some duds. Swept Away, directed by then-husband Guy Richie, is visual sludge, and her own directorial efforts have been misses. But really, these are the exceptions, as her CV is littered with substantial hits.

1996’s Evita was a revelation for the singer, who shone as the titular Argentinian. This was a large scale, classy production, and Madonna anchored the whole thing with aplomb. Prior to that she was enjoyable in Dick Tracy, a camp curio that’s due rediscovery any year now.

At her best, though, she’s something else altogether. As the title character in Desperately Seeking Susan, her first major movie, she was electric. Her legitimate star power elevated the film, which is a smash in general - a perfect mid-’80s snapshot.

Equally good was A League Of Their Own, in which Madonna shows a subtler, less flashy side of her acting skills. As part of an ensemble, she shines in this true tale of the 1940s All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She deserves a lot more credit than she often gets.