When actors try to become musicians, it doesn’t usually turn out well. For proof, see the musical career of a certain hotel heiress – but sometimes there’s an exception.

Jared Leto, who started his career as an actor on the show “My So-Called Life,” is one of those exceptions. Though acting was his first love, music became a close second in his 30s, especially since his brother, Shannon Leto, has always been musical. The two decided to make music together in 1998 and called themselves Thirty Seconds to Mars. And yes – that’s the official spelling, though representing thirty in numbers works too.

Their First Album

Thirty Seconds to Mars, their self-titled debut album did okay when they put it out in 2000. It didn’t break any records or chart any #1 hits, but it wasn’t a total failure either. It did well enough for the brothers to want to try again, with their album A Beautiful Lie, which they put out in 2005. It’s a good thing they gave it another shot, too, as that was the album that slingshotted them to success. Or should we say rocket-boosted?

There’s a reason that album took so long to make – Leto was filming movies on and off over the years between releases. That meant that his brother (and other for-hire background musicians) sometimes had to fly to him on set, with all of their equipment. Al that effort was well-rewarded when the album went platinum and managed to get the band on the radio – and TV!

Modern Mars

Since going platinum way back in 2005, they’ve dropped three (+) more albums and made songs with acts ranging from Walk the Moon to A$AP Rocky. Though it’s been twenty-plus years since they debuted, we still love their unique pop sound just as much.