Top 10 Comedians Who Are Surprisingly Good Singers

While many know him from movies like “Father of the Bride” and the Hulu series “Ony Murders in the Building,” Steve Martin is actually an accomplished musician. If the legendary King Tut sketch didn’t convince you, maybe his decades as a bluegrass frontman will. His career began as a comedy writer in the 1960s before taking his own comedy shows on the road, eventually coming to TV and film as a performer. He would begin making more music, singing and playing banjo professionally, as his career progressed. He’d won Grammys for his comedy albums, but his musical ventures would earn him another three.

This “SNL” alum spends a lot of time making fun of singers, but maybe that’s because she has an innate talent for music. Whether she’s playing a parody of Christina Aguilera or belting it out as a Disney villain, Rudolph’s shown us she’s actually got some serious chops. She comes by it honestly. Her parents were both musicians, and her mother was Minnie Riperton, a legendary soul singer with a crystal clear voice and five-octave range. Maya’s voice is deeper and brassier than her mom’s, but every time she’s showcased it without stretching for laughs, it’s clear she inherited some of the talent.

The late night host and satirist got his start in sketch and improv comedy, but every once in a while, we get to hear his velvety smooth vocals. Indeed, Colbert sometimes sings with guests on “The Late Show.” Some of his famous duet partners include Anna Kendrick, Paul Simon, and even Jennifer Hudson. You’d be surprised by how good he sounds! Colbert also loves musicals, citing “Jesus Christ Superstar” as an influence. Plus, in 2011, he performed in a televised concert version of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company.” He held his own alongside a star-studded cast that included Neil Patrick Harris and Patti LuPone.

Like many of his fellow “SNL” alums, the giggly, fun-loving “The Tonight Show” host is a master of imitating singers’ vocal quirks. Many of his most popular segments, including the recurring Wheel of Musical Impressions, lets him have some fun while he sings in the styles of other artists. But there are also times when Jimmy Fallon lets his natural voice take center stage. In those moments, it sounds less like a charming TV host and more like the weathered sound of a folk-rock singer who’s seen too much. For someone who pokes fun at musicians, he’s a pretty accomplished one himself.

When she started on “SCTV,” Catherine O’Hara often sang in order to do send-ups of over-the-top lounge singers. But when she performs in earnest, Catherine O’Hara has a spectacular voice. Her haunting vocals on “Sally’s Song” from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” introduced many of us to the Canadian comic genius’ musical talents. She’s able to sing in such a gentle and heartbreaking way that feels lived-in and totally authentic. Look no further than Christopher Guest’s “A Mighty Wind,” where she is totally believable as a former folk music star. She even reprised one of the songs at the Oscars alongside co-star Eugene Levy!

If Donkey’s rocking rendition of “I’m a Believer” in “Shrek” didn’t clue you into the fact that Murphy is a great singer, meet “Party All the Time.” Murphy was fresh off a star-making run on “SNL” and was one of the biggest movie stars with “Beverly Hills Cop.” But there’s one thing fellow comedian Richard Pryor bet him he couldn’t do. He challenged Murphy, who was planning an album, to keep it 100% serious. The latter’s synthesizer-heavy, uber ‘80s single may be dated now, but it was on the Billboard Hot 100. Murphy would later earn an Oscar nomination for his role in “Dreamgirls,” where he slipped into the persona of a ‘60s soul singer with ease. Those are just some of his musical achievements.

The high-spirited Jack Black primarily made a name for himself as a comic character actor. But as he became better known, viewers got to see more of his gifts. Roles in movies like “School of Rock” and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” have notably given him the chance to showcase his musicianship. But he’s also one half of the rock duo Tenacious D! And let us just say, his voice is one of a kind. While his sense of humor is always in his music, his larger than life charisma translates to lung power too. He’s not just a comedian playing at being a singer. As a frontman, he’s raw and powerful, even when he’s being funny.

After a breakthrough on the ensemble sketch comedy show “In Living Color,” Jamie Foxx went on to star in his own sitcom and carve out a career as an acclaimed actor and comedian. Most people probably know him for those skills. Yet he sounds like he could belong on the pop charts. Actually, he has been on the charts. Although he didn’t do most of the singing in “Ray,” his imitation of Ray Charles was notably included on Kanye West’s “Gold Digger.” But there’s more. Many fans also know that he has several solo R&B albums to his name. His biggest single, “Blame It,” featuring T-Pain, was a huge success. It even earned him a Grammy.

Given the musical numbers featured on the show, you might not be surprised to learn that the creator of “Family Guy” is a lover of old-fashioned music. In fact, the man behind Stewie, Peter, Brian, and more actually trained with Frank Sinatra’s vocal coaches. MacFarlane has released several albums full of showtunes and American standards, and showed off his skills in “Sing.” With his sonorous voice and delicate phrasing, he could have had a career in music with or without the Griffin Family. That crooning baritone has also sung with several other artists like Norah Jones, and Barbra Streisand even hand-picked him for a track on her 2016 duets album.

Sure, his scratchy and affected voice might make it hard to take him seriously as a singer. But make no mistake, Adam Sandler has proven time and again that he can really sing. His “Chanukah Song” became a calling card. But it wasn’t until “The Wedding Singer” that he was able to mix his loud and abrasive vocals with a new layer of sensitivity and genuine ability. Who knew Sandler could be the romantic lead in a music-heavy romcom? Well, we sure know it now. Over the years, he’s notably sung in movies and in live appearances, proving he’s got more chops than you’d expect.