Hollywood isn’t just about the glamour, the glitz, and the epic speeches; sometimes it’s about who can sit down at a piano and just totally command the room. While most stars are famous for their movie performances, quite a few can also pull off a show-stopping performance on the keyboard. From traditionally trained geniuses to rock ‘n’ roll renegades, these stars show that in Hollywood, genius can be packaged in more than one way. Here are the 10 most talented piano players in Hollywood, beginning with the least likely.
10. Johnny Depp
Before Johnny Depp was the swaggering Captain Jack Sparrow, he was a child with a hand-me-down piano and a huge passion for music. He began playing at seven and went on to play with a rock band called The Kids in the ’80s. Even with a blockbuster career, Depp never abandoned his musical side; he frequently drops behind the keys during jam sessions or recording projects, keeping his rock roots alive.
9. Adrien Brody
Adrien Brody’s Oscar-winning performance in The Pianist wasn’t an illusion; he’s been playing the piano since he was a kid. Hailing from a musical Italian background, Brody has a profound respect for classical music and it’s throughout his life and career. He’s played at venues such as Carnegie Hall and continues to support arts education, clearly demonstrating that his relationship with the instrument is far more than method acting.
8. Zooey Deschanel
Zooey Deschanel’s bohemian cuteness transfers perfectly to her music. The lifelong pianist has utilized the instrument as the base of her songwriting career, from the She & Him records to her television work. Her soft, retro sound and melody sense lend her music the same quirky finger to the forehead that made her a New Girl favorite.
7. Matthew Perry
Yes, the same Matthew Perry. Well before (and after) he had us all laughing on Friends, Perry found solace in the piano. He played famously alongside legends such as Elton John and Aretha Franklin, and his musical talent even made an appearance on Friends itself. For Perry, the piano was not just a hobby; it was therapy, art, and happiness all in one.
6. Scarlett Johansson
Before she was a Marvel icon, Scarlett Johansson spent some of her teenage years studying piano and aspiring to a career on stage. She’s played live a handful of times, offering glimpses of her stunning musical talent. That early classical training lends a little elegance and rhythm to her performances both on screen and live.
5. Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman’s talent extends well beyond acting and studies. She’s been a professional pianist since age four, who passed Grade 8 piano by age 15. She handles Bach as easily as modern improvisation, frequently relying on her musical training to inform her emotional performances. In Black Swan, for example, that artistic rigor is evident in every note, actual or not.
4. Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe may be known for his fierce on-screen presence, but behind the piano, he’s a pure soul. Growing up in Melbourne, he developed a passion for classic rock and often records music between film projects. Whether he’s performing live or writing his own material, Crowe’s playing reveals a softer, surprisingly introspective side.
3. Hugh Laurie
House fans are already familiar with Hugh Laurie’s sense of humor, but his real passion may be the blues. A lifetime jazz aficionado, Laurie is a skilled pianist and has issued albums such as Let Them Talk and Didn’t It Rain. His interpretations of New Orleans classics demonstrate his virtuoso technique and rich musicality. In short, he’s as talented on the piano as he is in front of a camera.
2. Jeff Goldblum
Jeff Goldblum’s piano skills are no secret; he’s an honest-to-goodness jazz musician. When he’s not stealing scenes in Jurassic Park, he plays live with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. His improvisational edge and easygoing charisma make each show electric, and his jazz records have been called warm and witty. Goldblum doesn’t play, but he performs.
1. Tom Hanks
America’s beloved leading man has yet another secret talent: the piano. Tom Hanks has been playing since he was a kid, and he even performed at high-profile affairs such as the Oscars and Kennedy Center Honors. Whether meandering lazily or playing elegant solos, Hanks’ relationship with the instrument appears like second nature, just one more sign that there’s apparently nothing he can’t do.
From rock riffs to soulful ballads, these stars remind us that Hollywood’s brightest stars don’t quit working when the cameras quit rolling. Behind the lights, the glamour, and the scripts, there’s an impressive array of pianists who can turn a moment of silence into pure gold one chord at a time.