Actors You Forgot Tried Rapping
Anne Hathaway just killed Miley's "Wrecking Ball" on Lip Sync Battle, but did you know she has a hip-hop past? Hathaway busted out her own rap during an appearance on Conan in 2011 ("in the style of Lil Wayne") — and she's not the first actor to spit rhymes. Tom Hanks and Gwyneth Paltrow have each tried it (for better or for worse), and Brian Austin Green and Scott Caan have both had underwhelming music careers. See, the beauty of hearing actors rap is that you never truly know what you're going to get. We've know what happens when rappers make the move to TV and film, but here are all of the stars you forgot tried to bust a rhyme for real.
Anne Hathaway's Paparazzi Rap, 2011
Yes, the same girl who played Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries rapped about bitches and crotches on Conan. Why throw a punch at the paps when you can spit a verse?
Tom Hanks and Dan Aykroyd "City of Crime," 1987
This video for an original song off the Dragnet soundtrack proves white dudes can groove.
Tom Hardy's Freestyle, 2011
Tom Hardy not only rapped like a beast, but he did it with his son Louis in a BabyBjorn. Are your ovaries still intact?
Eddie Murphy "Boogie In Your Butt," 1982
Featured on the actor's Grammy nominated self-titled standup comedy album.
Brian Austin Green "You Send Me," 1996
The Beverly Hills, 90210 had a single, as well as a WHOLE ALBUM. It was called One Stop Carnival and to many who heard it, Green sounded like a clown.
Cameron Diaz and Gwyneth Paltrow on Chelsea Lately, 2012
MC Gwyneth Paltrow and DJ Jazzy Cameron Diaz poked fun at their pal Chelsea Handler through the art of rap.
Joe Pesci "Wise Guy," 1998
A year after Pesci's LP Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings Just for You was released, the actor announced his retirement from Hollywood to pursue a career in music. Shortly after, he returned to acting. We'll give you one guess as to why.
Rodney Dangerfield "Rappin Rodney," 1983
If you love this single so much, lucky for you, it's available on Ebay.
Joaquin Phoenix, 2010
Phoenix announced he would drop acting for a hip-hop career in the documentary I'm Still Here. His "joke" was truly gut-busting.
John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell "Boats 'N Hoes," 2008
This video came after the actors' characters performed the rap in Step Brothers. It can be described in one word: everything.
Natalie Portman on Saturday Night Live, 2006
"Suck my dick" has a whole new ring to it coming from Portman's mouth.
Tina Fey "Real Estate" (Childish Gambino/Donald Glover with Alley Boy, Swank)
This is not a joke. We repeat: this is not a joke. Fey's efforts were legit, and leave it to the actress to lighten up the otherwise serious mixtape.
Daniel Radcliffe "Alphabet Aerobics," 2014
You may not think Harry Potter and rapping go together, but Radcliffe KILLED Blackalicious' song on The Tonight Show last year.
Chris Pratt, "Forget About Dre," 2014
If Slim Shady saw this, he'd be watching his back right now. Seriously.
Michael K. Williams, "Brooklyn Zoo," 2013
The Wire and Boardwalk Empire alum took on the Ol' Dirty Bastard song at a Concert for Hurricane Sandy Relief. Charity and rapping is what makes the world go 'round.
Alison Brie's freestyle on The Tonight Show, 2013
The Community star was another actor to rap on The Tonight Show, and this is when you thank you lucky stars for Jimmy Fallon.
Rachel Bilson "Call Me Doctor," 2012
Bilson rapped as her Hart of Dixie character Dr. Zoe Hart. We don't really know what's going on here, but we can't say we hate it. Bilson cursing is likely to win you over, too.
Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally "Smell Yo Dick," 2013
The two make a mess, but a beautiful one.
Scott Caan "Put Your Hands Up," 1993
The actor was part of the '90s hip-hop group The Whooliganz with Alan Maman. This song was on their album Make Way for the W. Let that all sink in.
[Photo Credit: MCA Records]