Many well-known figures in entertainment have explored their desires to build careers beyond acting by stepping into the music world. Among them, Robert Downey Jr music career stands out as a lesser-known but intriguing path that highlights his personal artistic side. Throughout the 2000s, several celebrities pursued musical projects, revealing their hopes and challenges in combining two demanding industries.
Kylie Jenner’s Pop Aspirations
Kylie Jenner revealed her long-held dream of becoming a pop star, a pursuit she openly discussed after contributing vocals to Terror Jr’s track “Fourth Strike.” Despite referring to herself as King Kylie and expressing a desire to avoid future regrets in life, Jenner admitted she had struggled with self-confidence in her singing efforts. Nevertheless, the reality TV personality’s foray into music had mixed reactions, with audiences showing little enthusiasm for her performance.
“I’ve been talking about this since I came out of the womb … Like, I wanted to be a pop star,”
Kylie Jenner, reality star
“I don’t want to look back on life and have any regrets.”
Kylie Jenner, reality star
Scarlett Johansson’s Musical Collaborations
Academy Award nominee Scarlett Johansson has ventured into singing, collaborating with iconic musicians such as David Bowie. Her debut album featured covers of Tom Waits songs, and Bowie’s unexpected duet came after a chance encounter at a party. Johansson described the surprise of recording with Bowie months later as a thrilling experience that profoundly impacted her creative journey.
“I get this call from [my producer], and he was like, ‘You’ll never guess who I have in the studio right now,’”
Scarlett Johansson, actress and singer
“I just, you know, basically peed myself when I found out.”
Scarlett Johansson, actress and singer
Russell Crowe’s Lifelong Connection to Music
Russell Crowe’s interest in music began in childhood when he received his first guitar. Rather than covering other artists, he used music as a form of personal expression. Crowe’s musical journey included busking on the streets and being a member of bands like 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, with whom he recorded albums and toured extensively until their disbandment in 2003. His current musical engagement is with Indoor Garden Party, which introduced its album Prose & Cons in 2024.
“I didn’t have the guitar because I wanted to sing somebody else’s songs,”
Russell Crowe, actor and musician
“I thought, this is an interesting thing to do, to express myself. And that’s really funny when you apply that to a 6-year-old kid.”
Russell Crowe, actor and musician
Robert Downey Jr.’s Musical Debut
In 2004, Robert Downey Jr., widely known for his role in Marvel films, released his sole album titled The Futurist. During an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, he acknowledged the risks involved with his music project, emphasizing his longtime devotion to composing and playing instruments since he was around 12 years old. Although the album attained a modest position on the Billboard 200 chart and sold around 16,000 copies in its first week, Downey has yet to release another musical work.
“I couldn’t blame it on anybody else if it sucked this time,”
Robert Downey Jr., actor and musician
“I’ve been, since I was 12 or so, playing piano, and then I started composing a bit. I’ve been inspired by so many musicians over the years, to be able to do it … was really satisfying.”
Robert Downey Jr., actor and musician
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s International Musical Success
Jennifer Love Hewitt experienced music success primarily in Japan, where her 1992 album Love Songs became popular. She further achieved acclaim in Australia when her 2002 single “BareNaked” reached the sixth position on the charts. Reflecting on this period in an interview, Hewitt described it as a particularly joyful and fortunate time in her life.
“It sounds silly, but it’s kind of like the best time of my life right now. I feel very blessed and lucky.”
Jennifer Love Hewitt, actress and singer
Music as a Meaningful Creative Outlet for Celebrities
The musical pursuits of Robert Downey Jr. and his contemporaries showcase a shared passion for artistry beyond their established careers. Their experiences range from unexpected collaborations to long-term dedication and occasional commercial success, underscoring how music offers a unique space for personal expression. While some ventures received mixed audience reactions, the commitment to music remains an important part of these celebrities’ creative identities. For Robert Downey Jr., his debut album revealed an intimate side of his artistry, suggesting that his musical interests, though less publicized, hold lasting significance.
