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Movie Musical Mischief

[Blind Gossip] This actor has had a long career in Hollywood.

He mainly chooses dramatic roles but can also do comedy. He has literally hundreds of credits to his name but is best known for a few iconic movie roles.

A few years back, our actor took the bold step of accepting a role in a movie with a significant music component.

The reason this was a bold move on his part is because our man is a very talented actor… but his singing voice is mediocre at best.

Now, there is really nothing shameful about having your singing voice dubbed in a movie musical. Even the best actors do it.

Remember Natalie Wood’s showstopping performance as Maria in West Side Story?

Her real singing voice was not used at all in the movie!

Remember Audrey Hepburn’s turn as the singing Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady?

Wouldn’t it be loverly if Hepburn had done her own singing?

She did not.

A singer by the name of Marni Nixon actually did the singing for both Wood and Hepburn!

The men need help from time to time, too.

We know you remember when Christopher Plummer sang Edelweiss  to the Von Trapp children in The Sound of Music.

It was a wonderful moment in the film. However, that wasn’t Plummer singing. That was a singer named Bill Lee.

So even the most iconic movies and roles and actors have had a little help from the pros.

When our actor took on a significant role in a movie musical, it became clear that even with rehearsal, his voice didn’t really rise to the stature of movie musical stardom.

There was some serious talk about dubbing his singing voice in post production.

However, after much debate, they chose to use his own singing voice in the final cut.

They didn’t use his voice because they thought it was good. It wasn’t.

Then why did they use it?

One of most powerful women involved in the film went to bat for him. She convinced everyone that his voice has a raw and real quality to it that the audience would relate to.

Well, that was supportive of her!

Actually, she didn’t do it to support him.

She did it to embarrass him.

Why would she want to do that?

Years before, they had had a fling. She was so excited because she thought he really liked her. He never called her again. Basically, he used her and then dumped her. This was her sneaky way of getting back at him.

Wasn’t she concerned that it would hurt the movie?

No. She knew the movie would be a box office hit no matter what.

She was right!

Critics panned our actor’s performance… but the movie made a ton of money!

Not La La Land.

Similar: His Own Eliza Doolittle

Actor:

Movie:

[Optional] Your favorite movie musical of all time?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sallylalala says

    Must Cooper or Crowe. Probably Crowe. Hear a lot of bad stuff about him.

    It absolutely is not Pierce Brosnan. I used to work in Hampstead where he lives and frequently had contact with him, his wife and his family. All of them are absolutely lovely, kind, charm personified to everyone from bin men and bus boys upwards. I refuse to believe someone could dislike him enough to do this.

  3. spoofbyrd says

    Back again with some thoughts No way this is Bradley Cooper . He can sing and he has musical talent Natalie Wood trained and she had a lovely Soprano voice but studio was right in dubbing with Marni Nixon . My favorite movie musical is Rocky Horror Picture Show without the Hams at midnight. Traditional studio one is The Music Man with Robert Preston & Shirley Jones.

  6. lila8245 says

    Given the inclusion of “West Side Story” here which starred Natalie Wood I’m going to go with Christopher Walken, rumored to be one of the last people to see Natalie Wood alive.

  10. wfreshie says

    I always wondered why they didn’t dub brosnon…and audry hepburn actually had a lovely singing voice and practiced for months …but they dubbed her…there is a sample on youtube

  11. mrcellophane says

    Pierce Brosnsan.

    I actually didn’t hate the voice… it added a verisimilitude to a strange conceit.

  17. prunetracy says

    Movie: Les Mis adaptation
    Actor: Russell Crowe

    I actually don’t think Crowe is a terrible singer, he just isn’t a musical theater singer, so his performance was a mess. He has a competent rock’n’roll voice, which makes sense since he’s in a band.

  22. NixyPixie says

    Actor: Pierce Brosnan

    Move: Mamma Mia

    Favourite musical of all time: The Sound of Music. It started a lifelong love affair with the mountains (and strong men!)

  24. claireuk says

    Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia – would’ve been so much better if they were all dubbed!
    Not big into musicals so would have to plump for classic Grease or Rocky Horror…..then again Hairspray is also a good watch!!

  30. HeatherH317 says

    The only thing that comes to mind is Johnny Depp in Sweeny Todd.

    My favorite is Annie (the one with Carol Burnett)

  32. Pregolicious says

    Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd?
    Grease is my favorite movie musical of all time. It would be my life’s dream to play a part in a production of Grease.

  35. bluekisses07 says

    My two guesses

    Johnny depp

    Sweeney Todd: demon barber of Fleet Street

    Or Russell Crowe

    les miserables

    I’m leaning toward Johnny depp

  41. tntattletale says

    Johnny Depp
    Sweeney Todd

    My favorite musical is Grease. However, I also love Singing in the Rain.

  48. spoonerism says

    Actor: Russell Crowe

    Movie: Les Miserables

    [Optional] Your favorite movie musical of all time? My Fair Lady!

  54. prinny says

    The only situation like this that I can think of is for Mamma Mia, with Pierce Brosnan being widely panned for his singing. Could he have had a fling with * many moons ago? Hmm juicy.

    My favourite movie musical has to be White Christmas. I have two sisters so that sister act number is right up our alley!😄

  58. KrazyCatLady says

    I think I’m off, but Christopher Walken in Hairspray.
    Wasn’t he on the boat when Natalie Wood died?

  60. Amandavt70 says

    Mamma Mia
    Pierce Brosnan
    My favourite musical is hard to choose, i love Oliver, The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory from being a child, Grease of course and Moulin Rouge if i had to choose id say Grease. I was a Kenicki fan.

  69. UKmonty says

    Hmm I’m not sure I can only think of
    Bradley Cooper A star is born
    or Tom Cruise Rock of Ages
    I don’t know

  70. spoofbyrd says

    They don’t make many musicals anymore. Yet when they have , we know male Stars like Richard Gere and Hugh Jackman can sing . Even Alec Baldwin and Tom Cruise ( who trained ) can do it . Only ones I can think of who should have been dubbed are either Russell Crowe or Pierce Brosnan . As singers Brosnan is a good Painter, Crowe is a good acceptance speech maker .
    Good play by the Lady scorned whoever it is

  73. itsjustanothergirl says

    Actor: Pierce Brosnan
    Movie: Mamma Mia (s)

    My favourite musical of all time will always be Singin’ in the Rain.

  75. leelee24 says

    Pierce Brosnan
    He isn’t a singer and didn’t have a strong voice but his performances were charming.

  78. aaakr210 says

    I hope it was Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia but can’t see him having a fling with anyone from it

  85. foraccts says

    Les Mis with Russell Crowe as Javert and not singing very well.
    I don’t get his supposed attraction.
    My favorite musical is an oldie but goodie, Carousel.

  88. Whisper says

    Les Mis?
    Could be either Crowe or Jackman because neither has a great voice although Jackman can pull off less demanding roles. Plus Jackman has zero rep with the ladies. Must be Crowe

  91. ConfusedHarpy says

    I don’t know the man, the woman, or the movie, but I’m kinda impressed with her. I appreciate a long game.