SINGERS-TURNED-ACTORS From songs to scripts, crossovers fit

Some of the more notable crossovers are Frank Sinatra and Will Smith.
By RICH COPLEY
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
"Friday Night Lights" has a few connections to pop-stars- turned actors beyond country musician Tim McGraw's star turn.
"FNL" star Billy Bob Thornton's breakout film, "Slingblade" (1996), featured singer-songwriters Vic Chesnutt, Col. Bruce Hampton and Dwight Yoakam, who's developed a fine film career. "Friday Night Lights" producers Brian Grazer and James Whitaker also brought Eminem to the big screen with "8 Mile" (2002).
All of which is to say that there is precedent for singers turning in some good film performances -- there are also movie turns by folks like Mariah Carey and Garth Brooks that, well, struck sour notes.
More notable
Here's a look at some of the more notable crossovers, including a few Oscar winners:
UFrank Sinatra: Ol' Blue Eyes picked up an Oscar in 1954 for his performance in "From Here to Eternity." This summer we were reminded of one of his best roles, in "The Manchurian Candidate" (1962).
UQueen Latifah: She's been acting for most of her music career, including the hit TV series "Living Single." In 2003, she got an Oscar nomination for her role in best picture winner "Chicago," and her latest, "Taxi," opened last week.
UBette Midler: The Divine Miss M has been nominated for Oscars twice, in "The Rose" (1979) and "For the Boys" (1991), and generally has proved to be an above-par comic actress.
UBarbara Streisand: She has done a lot of acting, has an Oscar for "Funny Girl" (1968) to prove it and stars in the upcoming "Meet the Parents" (2000) sequel, "Meet the Fockers."
UKris Kristofferson: Streisand's "A Star Is Born" (1976) co-star doesn't have an Oscar but is as well-known for his acting in films such as "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" (1973) as he is for his singing. He's currently working on "Dreamer."
ULoudon Wainwright III: He's been ramping up his acting career lately with such films as Tim Burton's "Big Fish" (2003).
UWillie Nelson: When he's not on stage, the man can turn in some standout performances, as in "Barbarosa" (1982).
UCher: If you think this is a joke (slap, slap), "Snap out of it!" She won the best actress Oscar for "Moonstruck" (1987).
UMark Wahlberg: After putting Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch behind him, Wahlberg has developed a distinguished film career, including the new "i u huckabees."
USting: The former Police-man has had some big-screen success. His best moment was as mobster club owner Finney in "Stormy Monday" (1988). After thugs break into his office to threaten him, Finney fixes them with an icy stare and says, "You shouldn't have damaged the desk. You shouldn't have done that." They shouldn't have.
USean Combs: Ol' Puff Daddy-P. Diddy was solid in "Monster's Ball" (2001) and got excellent notices for his work in the Broadway revival of "A Raisin in the Sun."
UMos Def: The distinguished hip-hop artist has distinguished himself on screen ("Bamboozled" in 2000 is an example) and on Broadway in "Topdog/Underdog."
UDMX: The platinum-selling hip-hop artist has an action movie r & eacute;sum & eacute; with credits such as this year's "Never Die Alone."
ULyle Lovett: He's a favorite of director Robert Altman, who cast him in films such as "The Player" (1992) and the upcoming "A Prairie Home Companion" -- yes, Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion."
UTom Waits: Also in "Prairie Home Companion," he's popped up from time to time in roles such as Renfield in 1992's "Dracula."
UElvis Presley: Good? Eh, well, "Viva Las Vegas" (1964) was fun. And who can forget "Clambake" (1967), hard as we try? According to the Internet Movie Database, The King made 31 movies from 1956 to 1969.
UDiana Ross: Her acting r & eacute;sum & eacute; isn't long, but it includes an Oscar nomination for playing Billie Holiday in "Lady Sings the Blues" (1972).
UBing Crosby: Ba-ba-ba-bo. Considered the first multimedia star, he won the best actor Oscar for "Going My Way" (1944). Many might have forgotten he was a singer first.
UWill Smith: Can't forget the Fresh Prince, now one of the big screen's biggest stars.