Music history is full of artists who refused to stay in a single lane. Some voices proved too powerful—too expressive—to be contained by charts alone. Over the decades, a select group of singers have crossed into film and television not as novelty acts, but as fully realized performers, earning the industry’s highest honors for work that had nothing to do with a microphone. The Golden Globe Awards have often been the first major institution to recognize that rare crossover talent.
This distinction matters. Winning a Golden Globe for acting is no small feat. For singers, it also carries unique pressure: their fame precedes them, and every performance is scrutinized through the lens of their musical identity. As a result, while many singers have been recognized in the Best Original Song category, only a handful have truly bridged both worlds and taken home a Golden Globe for an acting role.
Lady Gaga
Won Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television in 2016 for her role as The Countess in American Horror Story: Hotel. She also won another Golden Globe in 2019 for Best Original Song for “Shallow” from A Star Is Born.
Cher
Won three Golden Globes for acting:
• Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 1974 for The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.
• Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture in 1984 for Silkwood.
• Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy in 1988 for Moonstruck.
Barbra Streisand
Won multiple Golden Globes for acting and directing, including:
• Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy in 1969 for Funny Girl.
• Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy in 1977 for A Star Is Born, along with a Best Original Song win that same year for “Evergreen.”
• Best Director – Motion Picture in 1984 for Yentl.
Andra Day
Won Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama in 2021 for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in The United States vs. Billie Holiday. That same year, she also received a Best Original Song nomination.
Leave a Reply