Actors Who Sang The Right Tune

Jamie Foxx had some big sunglasses to fill when he stepped into the role of legendary musician Ray Charles. But his performance as the man from humble beginnings who became an American icon brought nothing but criticial acclaim, winning him an Oscar and solidifying his reputation as a Hollywood A-lister.

"Coal Miner's Daugher" (1980)

Sissy Spacek did all her own singing for the 1980 Loretta Lynn biopic, "Coal Miner's Daughter," about Lynn's journey from the backwoods to country music superstardom. The role earned Spacek an Academy Award for Best Actress.

"Selena" (1997)

Before Jennifer Lopez was J-Lo, she played Tejano singing star Selena, who was murdered by her friend and fan club president in 1995. The role earned Golden Globe and MTV Movie Award nominations for Lopez, and it helped put the former fly-girl on the map.

"The Doors" (1991)

Before he was Batman, Val Kilmer took on the role of Jim Morrison for Oliver Stone's tribute film "The Doors." The film followed the singer from his days as a film student in Los Angeles to his death in Paris in 1971, at the age of 27. Kilmer did much of his own singing for the film, and it's said it was hard to distinguish which vocals were his and which were Morrison's originals.

"Walk The Line" (2005)

Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of music icon Johnny Cash didn't earn him an Oscar, but he did receive a Golden Globe Award and rave reviews.

"La Bamba" (1987)

"Born Into Poverty. Destined For Stardom. He Lived The American Dream." was the tagline for 1987's "La Bamba," starring Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens, the young rock and roll singer who tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 17.

"Amadeus" (1984)

Tom Hulce earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in "Amadeus." The 1984 movie tells the story of the composer though a rival's envy of his gift and desire to destroy him.

"Great Balls Of Fire!" (1989)

While the film itself didn't receive stellar reviews, Dennis Quaid got top marks as 1950s singer Jerry Lee Lewis in "Great Balls Of Fire!" The film depicts the life of the singer, including his teen-idol status and the romancing and secret marriage to his 13-year-old cousin.

"Walk The Line" (2005)

Reese Witherspoon joined Joaquin Phoenix in "Walk The Line" as June Carter, a country singer since childhood who eventually marries Johnny Cash. The role landed her wins at the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

"Sweet Dreams" (1985)

Jessica Lange may have lip-synched her way through "Sweet Dreams," but that didn't make her performance as Patsy Cline any less powerful. The actress earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of the sultry-voiced singer, who died in a plane crash.

"Why Do Fools Fall In Love" (1998)

Larenz Tate played 1950s doo-wop singer Frankie Lymon in this story of his three ex-wives fighting over his estate after obscurity and addiction led to the singer's death from a drug overdose. Halle Berry starred as one of the widows.

"What's Love Got To Do With It" (1993)

In "What's Love Got To Do With It," Angela Basset earned an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe win for her portrayal of Tina Turner, who rose to stardom and gained the strength to break away from an abusive husband.