John C. Reilly Reveals Why He’s Releasing Debut Album What’s Not to Love? Under the Pseudonym Mister Romantic

You know John C. Reilly mainly as an actor, but he’s got a passion for music as well.

The Oscar, Emmy and Grammy-nominated entertainer, 59, announced his upcoming debut album What’s Not to Love?, a collection of music from the Great American Songbook set to be released under the pseudonym Mister Romantic. Its first single, “Dream,” is out now.

“I looked at our weary world a few years ago and tried to think of a way I could spread love and empathy,” explained the Step Brothers star in a statement. “I decided the most fun way to do that was through performing and singing and telling people I loved them.”

Reilly added, “So the emotional vaudeville show Mister Romantic was born, out of both hope and despair. What’s Not to Love? Is a collection of songs from the show with some cinematic audio weaved in.”

He offered more details on the character, noting that the album tells “the story of an eternal optimist, Mister Romantic, as he looks for love.”

“Each song moved me enough to want to share it with people and keep each one alive by passing it on like some of my favorite singers did in their time. The lyrics all have something deeply true about them,” continued Reilly.

“Someone once said ‘It’s better to light one tiny candle than to curse the darkness.’ Well, this is our little candle in the darkness,” concluded the statement. “We hope it reminds people that it’s good to love. I figured it was worth a try.”

What’s Not to Love? will feature 13 songs, including two originally by Irving Berlin and three originally by Tom Waits. Others were made famous by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and Jo Stafford.

While the project marks Reilly’s first album, most fans have heard him sing before in films like Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and Chicago, among others.

Throughout his career, he’s recorded with artists including Jack White and performed on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk series with his band, John Reilly and Friends. He starred as the titular role in a 2002 Boston production of the musical Marty.

In October 2023, Reilly and Step Brothers costar Will Ferrell hopped on stage with Snoop Dogg at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre to perform “Boats ‘N Hoes” from the 2008 film as well as the MC’s 1993 classic “Gin & Juice.”

Reilly’s also passed his musicality onto his son, Leo, who performs pop music under the stage name LoveLeo.

What’s Not to Love? is set for a June 13 release.