Lady Gaga is one of the few singers who’ve become equally successful actors. Here’s a list of her top seven movie and television performances.
Lady Gaga is undoubtedly one of her generation's most iconic and talented performers. From her wildly successful music career as a singer and songwriter to her legendary fashion moments and now her acting career, it is clear that she is a force to be reckoned with. Gaga’s brilliance lies in her passion for art and genuine compassion for all humans, especially her fans.
Updated: May 6th, 2023: To keep this article fresh and relevant by adding more information and entries, this article has been updated with additional content by Evan Lewis.
While best known as a singer, Gaga previously stated that acting was her childhood dream. In just a few short years, she has gone from a cameo performer to the lead actress in some of the most acclaimed dramas and adult-skewing blockbusters. She has managed to work with some of the best directors, including Robert Rodriguez, Bradley Cooper, and Ridley Scott. She will next be seen in Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to 2019's Joker.
Gaga will step into the role of Dr. Harleen Quinzel, aka Harley Quinn. Given that Gaga has already been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and that Joaquin Phoenix won an Academy Award for Best Actor in Joker, all eyes are on Gaga to possibly take home the Best Actress come Oscar season 2024. With that in mind, here is a look at Lady Gaga's top movie and TV appearances.
Lady Gaga made her big screen debut in Machete Kills, the sequel to the popular film Machete. While it is a small role mostly classified as a cameo, this proved that her star power could be translated to the new medium of film without any trouble. She plays a woman called La Chameleon, an elusive femme fatale. Chameleon is also a manipulative criminal who is skilled in combat.
She runs into the titular character, played by Danny Trejo, a couple of times during her limited screen time and even decides that she wants to team up with him. While the character wasn't that impactful in the grand scheme of things, it was still nice for fans and newcomers to the kooky world of Gaga to see the singer out of her comfort zone. It was the role that set up a successful career in an increasingly storied career in acting, so it is worth checking out her performance just for that.
The next film appearance from Lady Gaga was Sin City: A Dame To Kill For, the follow-up to 2005's hit Sin City. Gaga plays a minor character called Bertha, a waitress at a diner. Kind enough to allow a main character to leave without paying, she even offers him a dollar as he is about to depart. While the character is far from prominent in the film's story, Gaga does the best she can with the time she is provided to show some heart in a world that is depicted as dark.
This would mark her second time working with director Robert Rodriguez, who said he knew he wanted to work with the singer-actress again after her performance in his previous film, Machete Kills. Seeing how her acting career blossomed since then, the sheer potential in Gaga's abilities that Rodriguez saw turned out to be for a good reason.
Next up is season six of American Horror Story, dubbed "Roanoke." This is Gaga's second appearance in the popular television series, as she plays Scáthach, an evil witch. The season takes place in North Carolina, Roanoke, and follows a young couple as they experience paranormal activity in the farmhouse their living in.
Gaga's character Scáthach made her way to America by ship and was sentenced to be burned at the stake when discovered. She was able to summon her powers and make her way to survival. Gaga's performance in American Horror Story: Roanoke is not only chilling and creepy but became an important one for the series as a whole.
Continuing with American Horror Story, next on the list is season five of the series American Horror Story: Hotel. Unlike her supporting role in Roanoke, Gaga's performance in Hotel made the entire season what it was. Despite the fact that it was her first time working on the show, and she was on-screen with AHS veterans, the actress did more than hold her own.
Through her portrayal of Elizabeth Johnson, better known as the countess, the vampiric owner of the Hotel Cortez, Gaga gives a cold and seductive performance that draws audiences in and keeps them hooked for the duration of the show. This performance was a breakout moment in her acting career and even won her a Golden Globe for Best Performance In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television.
In 2017, Lady Gaga released a documentary that let the public into a difficult point in her life called Gaga: Five Foot Two. While the movie doesn't feature Gaga acting in any role, it's worthy of a spot on this list by virtue of pulling back the curtains on the world-famous performer. Indeed, Gaga shows audiences her struggles with her physical and mental health. Her spirit is so raw and candid that it lets fans see her in a way they never had before.
Whether you are a Lady Gaga fan or not, there is no way to watch this documentary and not see a little bit of yourself in her. Gaga's ability to connect with people through art is beautiful, and that is what this movie is all about. Helping others has always been a part of Lady Gaga's mission, and you leave this documentary with a sense of comfort, knowing that everybody is struggling and we are not alone.
Gaga's next big feature film following her breakout role in A Star Is Born was 2021's crime/drama House of Gucci. The movie follows Patrizia Reggiani Gucci (Lady Gaga) as she finds herself married to Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), heir to the Gucci fashion empire. She struggles with love, power, wealth, and success in a world that is dominated by men who won't take her seriously.
Besides Lady Gaga and Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Al Pacino, Salma Hayek, and Jeremy Irons give incredible performances that add to the film's comedic nature. Gaga said that she spent months doing her own research on Patrizia Gucci and did everything she could to become Patrizia. During filming, Gaga spoke in an Italian accent almost the entire time and tried to stay in character as much as possible. While House of Gucci might not have been the awards contender many imagined, it was a rare box office hit during the COVID-19 pandemic for a film targeted at an older audience.
Coming in at number one is A Star Is Born. The film was a pivotal moment in Lady Gaga's career. She plays Ally in this version of A Star Is Born's cast, a struggling artist who has abandoned all hope that her dreams will come true until she meets Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), who she quickly falls in love with and makes her see the potential in herself. Throughout the film, Jackson pushes Ally to become the great artist he knows she can be while he struggles with addiction and alcoholism.
This film has been praised by critics and audiences everywhere, earning Gaga two Oscar nominations for Best Actress and Original Song. She ended up winning Best Original Song, which was her first-ever Academy Award. This film proved that Gaga is a serious dramatic actor and a real creative engine that is destined to shine in cinema.
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