Image: The Thicket [Tubi Films]
If you're as passionate about movies as you are about rock and metal, you've probably spotted some of your favorite musicians on the big screen. Musicians often make great film stars too - and we’ve listed some of their most iconic moments below. From Metallica members to shock rock legend Alice Cooper, there are some big names to discover. Let’s dive in!
Chester Bennington
Chester Bennington, longtime frontman of Linkin Park who tragically passed away in 2017, had a natural on-screen presence. He even appeared in some intense horror films, including Saw 3D: The Final Chapter, where he plays one of Jigsaw’s unfortunate victims. If you're into horror, you might want to check out his scene - if you have the nerves for it!
He also made brief appearances in Crank and Crank 2: High Voltage, alongside Maynard James Keenan from A Perfect Circle.
Metallica
The members of Metallica have had several movie roles throughout their careers. Frontman James Hetfield recently appeared in the 2024 Western thriller The Thicket and previously acted in the 2019 crime drama Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Meanwhile, drummer Lars Ulrich made a cameo in the 2010 comedy Get Him to the Greek, and guitarist Kirk Hammett appeared in the 2022 film Metal Lords.
Alice Cooper
With his theatrical stage presence, Alice Cooper is a natural for the big screen. He starred in Wayne’s World (1992), delivering one of the film’s most memorable scenes. He also appeared in Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows (2012), where Johnny Depp’s character famously mistakes him for "the ugliest woman I've ever seen."
Jared Leto
While best known as the frontman of Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jared Leto is also a professional actor famous for his method acting. His most iconic roles include Harry Goldfarb in Requiem for a Dream, Paul Allen in American Psycho, and the Joker in Suicide Squad.
Corey Taylor
Slipknot’s masked frontman Corey Taylor has occasionally stepped in front of the camera without his signature mask. One of his most unexpected roles? A part in the over-the-top sci-fi comedy Sharknado 4. If you haven’t binged this wild movie franchise yet, this might be your excuse!
Bela B
Die Ärzte are known for their humor and catchy punk songs, but did you know drummer Bela B had a brief cameo in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds?
Ozzy Osbourne
If Alice Cooper is on this list, there’s no way we could leave out the "Godfather of Metal," Ozzy Osbourne. He had a hilarious cameo in Adam Sandler’s comedy Little Nicky, where he... well, let’s just say he stays true to his bat-biting reputation.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Both Anthony Kiedis and Flea have appeared in films. Kiedis had a role in the action classic Point Break, while Flea popped up in Back to the Future II & III.
Lemmy Kilmister
Motörhead legend Lemmy Kilmister made several film appearances, particularly in the cult productions of Troma Entertainment, where he was a frequent guest.
Dave Grohl / Foo Fighters
Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters have had fun with film appearances, starring in Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny and Studio 666. In the first, you can also spot Dio and Meat Loaf!
Fred Durst
Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit didn’t stop at just one movie - he even appeared in a TV series! He had a small role as a bartender in House M.D. (Season 4, Episodes 15 & 16) and also made a cameo in Zoolander alongside music legends like David Bowie and Lenny Kravitz.
Billy Idol
Billy Idol landed a hilarious cameo in the 1998 Adam Sandler rom-com The Wedding Singer. If you haven't seen it yet, check out his scene here:
KISS
With their signature face paint, KISS is instantly recognizable anywhere - including the big screen. Gene Simmons played a leading role in the 1982 sci-fi thriller Runaway: The Spiders of Death and later appeared with Paul Stanley in the comedy Why Him?.
Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger isn’t just known for his legendary dance moves - he’s also starred in thrillers like Performance and The Burnt Orange Heresy. Meanwhile, Keith Richards famously portrayed Captain Jack Sparrow’s father in Pirates of the Caribbean, which makes perfect sense since Johnny Depp has openly said he based the character on him!
