Lady Gaga is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and talented artists of her generation. From her hugely successful music career as a singer and songwriter to her legendary fashion moments and now her acting career, it’s clear she’s a force to be reckoned with. Gaga’s genius lies in her passion for art and genuine compassion for all people, especially her fans.
Updated: May 6, 2023: To keep this article fresh and relevant by adding more information and items, this article has been updated with additional content by Evan Lewis.
Although she was best known as a singer, Gaga previously stated that acting was her childhood dream. In just a few short years, she has progressed from a cameo performer to the lead actress in some of the most critically acclaimed adult dramas and blockbusters. She has managed to work with some of the best directors including Robert Rodriguez, Bradley Cooper and Ridley Scott. She will be seen inside next time Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s Joker. Gaga takes on the role of Dr. Harleen Quinzel, aka Harley Quinn. Since Gaga has already been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and Joaquin Phoenix won an Academy Award for Best Actor in Joker, all eyes are on Gaga to possibly take home Best Actress in the 2024 Oscar season. in mind, here’s a look at Lady Gaga’s best film and TV appearances.
Machete kills
Lady Gaga made her big screen debut in Machete killsthe sequel to the popular film Machete. Although it is a small role usually classified as a cameo, it proved that her star power could be translated to the new medium of film without any problems. She plays a woman named La Chameleon, an elusive femme fatale. Chameleon is also a manipulative criminal who is skilled in combat.
She encounters the titular character, played by Danny Trejo, a few times during her limited screen time and even decides she wants to team up with him. While the character wasn’t all that impressive in the grand scheme of things, it was still fun for fans and newcomers to Gaga’s crazy world to see the singer out of her comfort zone. It was the role that launched a successful career in an increasingly storied career in acting, so it’s worth watching her performance for that alone.
Sin City: a lady to kill for
Lady Gaga’s next movie appearance was Sin City: a lady to kill forthe follow-up to the 2005 hit sin city. Gaga plays a minor character named Bertha, a waitress at a diner. Kind enough to let a main character leave without paying, she even offers him a dollar when he’s about to leave. While the character is far from prominent in the film’s story, Gaga does her best with the time she’s given to show some heart in a world portrayed as dark.
This would be 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. Watching her acting career blossom since then, the sheer potential in Gaga’s abilities that Rodriguez saw proved to be for good reason.
American Horror Story: Roanoke
Next up is season six of American Horror Story: Roanoke. This is Gaga’s second appearance in the hit television series, playing Scáthach, an evil witch. Set in North Carolina, Roanoke, the season follows a young couple as they experience paranormal activity in the ranch they live in.
Gaga’s character Scáthach went to America by ship and, upon discovery, was sentenced to be burned at the stake. She was able to summon her powers and find her way to survive. Gaga’s performance is not only chilling and eerie, but also became an important one for the series as a whole.
American Horror Story: Hotel
Continue with american horror story, next on the list is season five of the series American Horror Story: Hotel. Unlike her supporting role in RoanokeGaga’s performance in Hotel made the whole season what it was. Despite the fact that it was her first time working on the show and being on screen with AHS veterans, the actress more than held her own.
Through her portrayal of Elizabeth Johnson, better known as the Countess, the vampiric owner of Hotel Cortez, Gaga gives a cold and seductive performance that draws the audience in and keeps them hooked for the duration of the show. This performance was a breakthrough in her acting career, even earning her a Golden Globe for Best Performance in a Miniseries or Movie Made for Television.
In 2017, Lady Gaga released a documentary that called the public at a difficult point in her life Gaga: Five foot two. While Gaga doesn’t appear in any roles in the movie, it earns a spot on this list because it pulls back the curtains on the world-famous performer. Indeed, Gaga shows the public how she struggles with her physical and mental health. Her spirit is so raw and candid that it allows fans to see her in a way they’ve never seen before.
Whether you’re a Lady Gaga fan or not, there’s no way you could 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’s what this movie is about. Helping others has always been part of Lady Gaga’s mission, and you leave this documentary with a sense of comfort, knowing that everyone is struggling and that we are not alone.
House of Gucci
Gaga’s next big feature film after her breakout role in A star is born was the crime/drama of 2021 House of Gucci. The film 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 dominated by men who don’t take her seriously.
In addition to Lady Gaga and Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Al Pacino, Salma Hayek, and Jeremy Irons give incredible performances that add to the comedic nature of the film. Gaga said she spent months doing her own research on Patrizia Gucci and did everything she could to become Patrizia. During filming, Gaga spoke with an Italian accent almost the entire time and tried to stay in character as much as possible. While House of Gucci may not have been the award winner many imagined, it was a rare blockbuster during the COVID-19 pandemic for a film aimed at an older audience.
A star is born
Getting to number one is A star is born. The movie was a pivotal moment in Lady Gaga’s career. She plays Ally, a struggling artist who has given up all hope that her dreams will come true until she meets Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), who she quickly falls in love with and shows her the potential within herself. Throughout the film, Jackson pushes Ally to become the amazing artist he knows she can be, while struggling with addiction and alcoholism.
This film was acclaimed by critics and audiences everywhere and earned 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 true creative engine destined to shine in the cinema.