FROM LYRICS TO SCRIPTS -- MUSICIANS WHO BECAME ACTORS

Some musicians who've made the leap into acting did it with the skill of the Olympic gold medalist. They've amazed audiences with your great big screen performances that their lines might be lyrics. Their acting has eclipsed their musical career to the point where we quite often forget these were ever musicians within the first place -- or that some are still. Here are some cinema stars whose on-screen performances could rival their best music and lyrics:

Mark Wahlberg
Opening scene: camera pans around an arena full of music fans. Cut to close-up of musicians onstage: Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. Yes, the rapper formerly referred to as Marky Mark has become the acclaimed, gifted actor, Mark Wahlberg. As Marky Mark, he earned a #1 hit with the platinum single, "Good Vibrations. " With these lyrics, there is no way it may be confused with the Beach Boys' song: "Pure hip hop/No sell out/If you ain't inside it to win it/Then obtain the hell out. " Wahlberg has seamlessly transitioned from in-your-face lyrics to his subtle, yet powerfully expressive movie dialogue. He also come up with hit HBO series, "Entourage. "

Will Smith
Superstar Will Smith seems to give an accessible "everyman" quality to each role he plays, often tinged with perfectly timed touches of sly humor. Before the big screen turned Smith into box office gold, he was part of the rap duo, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the new Prince, noted for lighthearted lyrics. Even if he was rapping in songs like "Parents Just Do not understand, " the lyrics in regards to a teenager searching for clothes together with his mom reflected his spontaneity: "She said, 'What's wrong/This shirt cost 20 dollar'/I said, 'Mom, this shirt is plaid/With a butterfly collar! ' "

Queen Latifah
It's good to be the Queen -- particularly when your riches incorporate a royal range of esteemed music and film awards. In the projects of Newark, Nj, Latifah first achieved fame being an MC doling out rap lyrics. Later, she transitioned to singing the lyrics to jazz and soul standards. Latifah starred or co-starred in a variety of sitcoms before stunning audiences together with her breakout role within the movie, "Set them back. " Adeptly handling both serious and comic movie roles, as well as stints on Broadway, Latifah has built herself on the acting throne. She is constantly on the record music on her loyal subjects, as well.

Ice Cube
It's tough to think that the person who helped establish Gangsta Rap, using its violent, hardcore lyrics, has additionally completed endearingly comic performances in films, but Ice Cube is one multitalented guy. Cube founded the rap group, N. W. A., and wrote half of the lyrics for their groundbreaking release, "Straight Outta Compton. " His first, critically acclaimed performance within the movie, "Boyz N the Hood, " resulted in roles for action films, and hits including "The Three Kings, " and the rollicking comedy, "Are We There Yet? " Cube also wrote and directed "The Players Club, " and wrote and starred within the three "Friday" movies. And that he still seems to find time for his music!

These performers' music, lyrics and movie roles have given audiences many different ways to savor their talents -- and several vehicles for his or her own turbo-charged creativity.