Acting: That's a rap!

Rap and hip-hop artists are all over the big screen. And why shouldn't they be? Hollywood didn't mind making room for Frank Sinatra. Rap megastar Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson makes his screen debut in "Get Rich or Die Tryin'."

Here are other rap and hip-hop stars who are making a successful go at acting:

• Ludacris — Atlanta's Chris Bridges delivered the two best performances from rappers-turned-actors this year — in "Crash" and "Hustle & Flow."

• Queen Latifah — After an Oscar nomination ("Chicago"), the likable performer is a movie headliner ("Bringing Down the House," "Taxi," "Beauty Shop"). Next up: a remake of the 1950 comedy-drama "Last Holiday."

• Ice Cube — The smart, enterprising "Barbershop" star has a prolific production company (the "Friday" films), and is remaking "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House."

• Andre Benjamin — One-half of Atlanta's OutKast has gone serious with acting, showing comedic flair in "Be Cool" and serious chops in "Four Brothers." Universal has bought rights to "Idlewild," in which he co-stars with OutKast partner Big Boi.

• Bow Wow — Has dropped "Lil'" from his name and grown up in films like "Like Mike," "Johnson Family Vacation" and this year's "Roll Bounce." He's filming the next "Fast and the Furious" movie.

• LL Cool J — Does he still rap? He's adept at comedy ("Deliver Us From Eva"), drama ("Any Given Sunday"), action ("S.W.A.T.") but has yet to land the career-altering part. Upcoming: "Last Holiday" with Latifah and "Heartland" as an inner-city teacher.

• Will Smith — Mr. Rap Lite has become a big box-office draw with films earning above $1.8 billion. Always watchable with a great screen presence. Filming "Pursuit of Happyness" for December 2006 with son Jaden Smith.