Hollywood is filled with pop singers who've shown their acting chops in front of the camera. Country music is no exception, with Nashville stars bringing their authenticity and charm to Hollywood. Here are four singer-songwriters to check out for your next movie night.
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Dolly Parton
With her beautiful blonde hair, unforgettable voice and penchant for Southern hospitality, there was no doubt that the "Jolene" singer was going to be a star on the silver screen. The only question was when. The answer came in 1980 when the songwriter appeared in 9 to 5, where she joined Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in their struggle to get their "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" of a boss fired.
Parton returned to Hollywood to star with Burt Reynolds in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, where she performed her hit, "I Will Always Love You." But after starring with Sylvester Stallone in Rhinestone in 1984, her on-screen appearances have been few and far between. However, she has always been the highlight of the projects that she chooses. She's been more prominent on television, often starring in Christmas movies and even reuniting with her 9 to 5 co-stars on their Netflix sitcom, Grace and Frankie.
Tim McGraw
Nowadays, the artist behind "Live Like You Were Dying" is probably better known for his work in front of the camera than singing into a microphone. He received rave reviews for his role as Charles Billingsley, the abusive alcoholic father of fullback Don in the 2004 football flick Friday Night Lights, as well as the adopted father of NFL player Michael Oher in The Blind Side. Showing his range beyond football-themed films, he and his wife Faith Hill had starring roles in 1883, a spin-off of the hit series Yellowstone.
Willie Nelson
Right before Parton starred in 9 to 5, Willie Nelson made his debut with her co-star Fonda in The Electric Horseman, which also starred Robert Redford. The "On the Road Again" singer reportedly improvised most of his dialogue in the 1979 comedy-drama. He would then go on to take the leading role of country singer Buck Bonham in the drama Honeysuckle Rose alongside one of his muses, actress Amy Irving. He's been consistently on-screen ever since, even skewing his persona as a pothead on the 1998 stoner comedy Half-Baked.
Reba McEntire
There was a time when the red-headed "Fancy" singer wasn't as omnipresent as she is now. That all began to change when she starred in the 1990 comedy-horror classic Tremors. However, it was her work on her sitcom Reba, where she played the stressed-out titular character for six seasons, that brought her attention beyond Nashville. Nowadays, you can see her in front of a live studio audience as bar owner Bobbie on the sitcom Happy's Place.
