Robert Mitchum

The late Robert Mitchum remains best known for his heavy-lidded, laconic presence as a classic antihero in films noir from the 1940s and '50s, but Mitchum also showcased singing chops by handling his own singing (instead of relying on the then-common practice of vocal doubles) ... morein such flicks as "River of No Return" and "The Night of the Hunter." He signed a contract with Capitol Records in 1957, releasing an album of well-researched calypso. And, a year later, he beat The Boss to "Thunder Road" when he recorded the title song to the movie, in which he starred as a moonshiner. Springsteen himself is said to have taken the title after seeing the movie poster. (Holland/Retna Ltd.)