17 Hollywood Celebrities Who Got Their Big Start On Broadway

“The most exciting acting tends to happen in roles you never thought you could play.” - John Lithgow

Elana

• Published in Film & TV
• April 30, 2022

You've probably met at least one person in your life who either wanted to perform on Broadway or at least see a real-life Broadway production, in person, with their own two eyes. It's quite the goal to set on the horizon.

In fact, "making it" to Broadway is a steep hill with slim chances. According to bwaycollective.com:

"There are 42 theaters in the Broadway district in NYC. Each theatre typically employs around 30 performing artists. That means, in a typical season, there are 1,260 Broadway roles that need to be filled. 

How many people are trying to get one of those coveted roles? At least 10,000. It’s a rigorous selection process. You’ve got to be in the top 10% to get hired and cast in a show."

That's incredible, right? Now just think... some of Hollywood's biggest celebrities got their start on Broadway.

It's true! They're already the cream of the crop but they were experienced in beating the odds to earn the "ooh's" and "ahh's" of fans everywhere.

Of course, we don't always get a chance to see the side of celebs that would do so well on Broadway because performing on stage in front of a live audience is very different from creating TV shows and movies. If your curiosity is perking up at the thought, check out this list with all the details:

1. Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande was in the original Broadway cast of 13, the only Broadway musical ever with a cast and band entirely made of teenagers.

It officially opened on October 5, 2008, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

2. Kristen Bell

Long before Kristen Bell became a household name and a Disney princess voice actress, and even before she finished college, she was was on Broadway in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a musical comedy based on the novel by Mark Twain. Kristen Bell played the role of Becky Thatcher in 2001.

3. Morgan Freeman

For his 1978 role in The Mighty Gents on Broadway, Morgan Freeman won a Tony Award.

4. Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker made her debut on Broadway in The Innocents in 1979.

Her debut was quite the kick-off as well since 3 years later she took on three more major roles in Broadway productions: Parker played the lead role in Annie, Rosemary in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Princess Winnifred in Once Upon A Mattress.

In fact, according to TodayTix.com, SJP has had roles in 10 Broadway and Off-Broadway productions during the length of her career... so far.

5. Anna Kendrick

At the tender age of 12, Anna Kendrick was actually nominated for a Tony Award for her role in 1998's High Society.

6. Diane Keaton

After working as an understudy in the original Broadway production of Hair in 1968, Diane keaton was cast in the production of Play It Again, Sam.

7. Nick Jonas

At only 9-years-old, Nick Jonas was in the Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun.

Jonas also played Chip in Beauty and the Beast, Young Gavroche in Les Misérables, and J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

8. Viola Davis

In 2021, Viola Davis makes Oscars history as the most-nominated Black actress ever.

She got her start on Broadway in 1996 playing Vera in Seven Guitar. After that, she worked roles in King Hedley II and Fences, both of which won her Tony Awards. One of her Oscars was also for playing in the film adaptation of Fences!

What a remarkable woman.

9. Meryl Streep

In 1975, Meryl Streep got her start on Broadway by starring in Trelawny of the Wells.

10. John Travolta

Before nailing the iconic role of Dannie in the film adaptation of Grease, Travolta played Doodie in the Broadway production.

11. Jason Alexander

Long before Seinfeld, Jason Alexander won a Tony Award for Jerome Robbins' Broadway. Prior to that he had been in a few "flops" as well.

12. James Earl Jones

With one of the most iconic voices in all of Hollywood, James Earl Jones is another major celebrity who got his start on Broadway.

For his 1967 role in The Great White Hope, James Earl Jones won a Tony award. He later also received an Academy Award Nomination for his role in the film adaptation!

13. Jesse Tyler Ferguson

You may know Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett in Modern Family, but he made his debut on Broadway!

His first two roles were in On the Town and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Then, in 2017 he returned to Broadway for a "one-man show" called Fully Committed.

14. John C. McGinley

McGinley was an understudy for John Turturro in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea before he nabbed the role of Doctor Cox in the sitcom Scrubs.

15. Dame Julie Andrews

Before her legendary role as Mary Poppins in 1964, Julie Andrews starred in Broadway productions of My Fair Lady, The Boy Friend, and Camelot.

16. Britney Spears

Most people know that before becoming the Princess of Pop that Britney Spears was a Mouseketeer, but did you know that she actually started out as an understudy on Broadway? She was 10-years-old and the understudy for Tina Denmark in the musical Ruthless.

17. Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman also worked as the understudy for Tina Denmark in Ruthless (after Britney Spears quit because she was bored doing the same thing every night!)

She went on to play Anne Frank in the stage adaptation of Diary of Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl.

Who knew so many big names started out on Broadway? It's not like Broadway is such an easy first step to aim for as it is, as we established earlier.

The obstacles may be intense to overcome, but clearly, Broadway paves a road for many people. So, whether it's your ultimate goal, an impossible dream, or a stepping stone... it would seem that Broadway has a lot to offer.

Elana