Did They Really Sing In That Movie?

by Amanda Flinner

Some actors do their own stunts, others do their own singing.

Before it became a popular trend to showcase actors' real singing voices in musicals like Rock of Ages, Mamma Mia and Les Miserables, many vocal dubbers went uncredited to preserve the illusion that our stars were really belting it out on the big screen.

See if you can tell who was really singing, and who got some help.

Note: We added a few since this was first published in 2014. There are now 14 questions.

More Fact or Fiction

Comments: 23

  • Mark Copeland from UsaGary Busey did his own singing in the Buddy Holly Story.
  • Gaynor from NdSome surprises, but not many.
  • Anonymous from RenoAfter researching, I was happy (and impressed) to learn that Susan Sarandon did her own singing in Rocky Horror Picture Show.
    Increased my respect for her as an actress as she was relatively quite young and her vocal performance was quite good.
  • Paul Or Leonard from MinnesotaMan, I could do this all day! And now I really want to go seek out some of these movies and see them again or for the first time! New respect for some of these talented people!
  • Karen Aviles from Pittsburg CaIt was fun answering the questions I learned a lot from it
  • Susie from Checotah, OklahomaI enjoyed answering these questions. I would like to do more.
  • Johnnie De Giorgi from Maryland I did not do so good with the Questions and Answer's...
  • AnonymousI'm amazed, very talented actors.
  • Tania from Brisbane, AustraliaI overestimated George Clooneys singing ability lol
  • Sharon from Neerim SouthI think Lou Diamond Phillips did actually sing a bit in "Young Guns II", and onstage in "The King And I." I was surprised James Corden wasn't mentioned. He can sing, but he was dubbed in the film "One Chance"(about the life of Paul Potts, who won "Britain's Got Talent ) because his voice wasn't of operatic standard (that is Paul Potts' voice in the movie).
  • Jackie from Tennesseei got four wrong
  • Liz Hardy from Lake Ozark Not too bad, I missed one!!!
  • Debra from Woodbury,njNot bad
  • Terry from Giles VaI think all is great
  • Peyton from North CarolinaIn Back To The Future, Michale J Fox didn't actually sing, but he did play the guitar during Johny B Goode and Earth Angel.
  • Jacqueline from StockportLove lou daimond philips he was brilliant in la bamba great film me and my sister have watched this film about 20 times
  • Ray from TorontoCool
  • Arabella Skydancer from U.s.a. Oldmill Rd., Stanley Ny 14561I thought about all these I did get some twinge but most of them were right because I've seen the movies so many times that I know all the characters.
  • Billy Bob from Vancouver BcDANG! Nab it George don't cha know that trix are for kids
  • Dale Haskell from Iluka, Nsw, AustraliaMarnie Nixon is long overdue for an honorary Oscar for her wonderful singing in so many movies, including My Fair Lady. Come on Academy, credit where it's due!
  • Ron from MemphisIt's obvious that Clooney, et al, aren't singing, since the backup vocals are in 3-part harmony and there are only two of them at the mic!
  • James from Vidalia, GaMy sis once asked me "I wonder if that's really him singing...?" We were watching Ferris Bueller's Day Off. lol

    Only got 8 right. Technically 9 since one I knew I'd just clicked the wrong answer before it came up.
  • Neil Ciofani from Ohio Cityi sure hope michael j. fox sang in b.t.t.f.!!!! even if he didnt, who cares? the movie still rules!!
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