Colson Baker, widely known as Machine Gun Kelly, has spent over a decade carving out a parallel career in Hollywood alongside his music. While many musicians treat acting as a casual hobby or a brief cameo vehicle, Baker built a substantial filmography ranging from indie dramas and sci-fi thrillers to directorial projects. His transition didn't happen overnight; it evolved through calculated supporting roles that slowly shifted industry perceptions of him from a shock-rap musician into a recognizable screen presence.
Understanding this trajectory requires looking past the headlines and examining the specific roles that shaped his path. From early appearances in gritty urban dramas to playing real-life rock icons, Baker's filmography highlights an actor testing his range across different genres. This breakdown explores how his career pivot unfolded, the turning points that defined it, and the projects that showcase his evolution on screen.
Early Steps and Indie Roots (2014–2016)
Baker's initial steps into film relied heavily on his natural persona. Directors cast him as street-smart youths, rebellious figures, or heightened versions of his off-stage self. These early indie projects gave him uncredited or minor spots before he landed more substantial supporting work.
His feature film debut came in the romantic drama Beyond the Lights (2014), where he played a rapper named Kid Culprit. The role wasn't a massive stretch given his real-life profession, but it introduced him to narrative feature pacing and set etiquette. Soon after, he appeared in Punk's Dead: SLC Punk 2 (2016) as Crash and joined the cast of the techno-thriller Nerve (2016) alongside Emma Roberts and Dave Franco, playing a competitive street gamer named Ty.
These projects established his presence in casting rooms. He followed them with a gritty performance in The Land (2016), an independent skateboard drama set in Cleveland where he also served as a co-executive producer. This era proved he could hold his own in ensemble casts, setting the stage for bigger studio opportunities.
Breaking Into Mainstream Ensembles (2018–2020)
The turning point for Baker's film career arrived in the late 2010s when he secured roles in high-profile streaming and theatrical releases. Instead of playing musicians, he began landing distinct character parts that required him to blend into genre storytelling.
In Netflix's post-apocalyptic thriller Bird Box (2018), he played Felix, a foul-mouthed survivor. Though part of a large ensemble cast, his screen time in confined, tense sequences proved he could handle major studio productions. He then stepped into sci-fi with Captive State (2019), playing an insurgent named Jurgis, and joined Pete Davidson in the semi-autobiographical coming-of-age comedy Big Time Adolescence (2019) as Nick.
The most critical role of this period was portraying Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in the Netflix biographical film The Dirt (2019). Lee's manic energy and chaotic lifestyle mirrored aspects of Baker's public persona, making the casting a natural fit. Critics noted that his performance captured the physical mannerisms and wild cadence of the iconic drummer, earning him broader recognition as a viable dramatic actor.
Diversifying Roles and Directorial Aspirations (2020–Present)
Entering the 2020s, Baker expanded his footprint by taking on a mix of action features, crime thrillers, and self-directed comedy. He appeared as a tattoo shop owner in Judd Apatow's The King of Staten Island (2020) and played a drug dealer with superpowers in Netflix's superhero thriller Project Power (2020).
In 2021, he shifted into darker crime and western territory. He starred alongside Bruce Willis and Megan Fox in the crime thriller Midnight in the Switchgrass and played an outlaw named Cal in the western The Last Son. While these films received mixed critical responses, they demonstrated Baker's willingness to step outside comfort zones and lead genre pictures.
By 2022, he took creative control behind the camera. He co-directed, co-wrote, and starred in the stoner comedy Good Mourning alongside Mod Sun. That same year, he delivered a critically praised, internalized performance as a troubled musician in the indie drama Taurus, a role that mirrored the psychological pressures of fame.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Machine Gun Kelly's first movie role?
His first major feature film role was playing a rapper named Kid Culprit in the 2014 romantic drama Beyond the Lights.
Does Machine Gun Kelly use his stage name in movies?
In most of his early and mid-career acting projects, he is credited under his birth name, Colson Baker, though some projects and promotional materials still reference his stage moniker.
Has Machine Gun Kelly directed any films?
Yes, he made his feature directorial debut with the 2022 comedy Good Mourning, which he co-directed and starred in.
What is considered his breakthrough acting role?
Portraying Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in the 2019 Netflix biopic The Dirt is widely considered his breakout acting performance, showcasing his ability to embody a complex real-life figure.
