10 Celebrities Who Got Their Start on Broadway—You Won’t Believe Who Started on Stage!
Before they were Hollywood stars, these celebs got their start on Broadway—see their early stage roles!
Before they were the celebrities we know and love, stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Julie Andrews were gracing the Broadway stage — and in Julie’s case, finding herself a Tony nominee in the process — unaware they were on their way to the stardom they could have never imagined. Take a glance back at these stars’ early careers that started in the theater!
1. Sarah Jessica Parker
Early Broadway Shows: The Innocents (1976) and Annie (1977)
What she’s said: “[I] watched Andrea [McArdle, the original Annie] and assumed I would never be in Annie,” Parker shared. “I would certainly never play Annie, and I wouldn’t be part of this sort of magical phenomenon that washed over Broadway.”
2. Ariana Grande
Early Broadway Shows: Grande portrayed Charlotte in the musical 13 (2008)
What she’s said: At the premiere of 13, Grande commented, “There really aren’t words to describe how incredible this feeling is. Not only to be making your Broadway debut at such a young age, but this whole cast is just like a family
3. Nick Jonas
Early Broadway Shows: Annie Get Your Gun (1999), Beauty and the Beast (2002) and Les Misérables (2003)
What he’s said: “As a foundation as a performer, it shaped who I became as a person. That work ethic and just the community, you feel that real presence of a team mentality, which is kind of what I was able to bring into what I do with my brothers…I’m so grateful to Broadway and theater as a whole.”
4. Julie Andrews
Early Broadway Shows: The Boy Friend (1954), My Fair Lady (1956) and Camelot (1960)
What she’s said: “The show that I was in was a show called The Boy Friend, a product that was brought over from England,” Andrews shared. “And I was lucky enough to be asked to play the leading role in The Boy Friend. And I was 19 the day after we opened. So, the great notices that the show received were like the most wonderful birthday gift.”
5. Viola Davis
Early Broadway Shows: Seven Guitars (1996) and King Hedley II (2001)
What she’s said: “[King Hedley II was] the first time I’ve ever done a play where every day was a joy… There was no tension, no fear. I understood that character; that’s my mom, my sister — not a stretch.”
6. Lea Michele
Early Broadway Shows: Les Misérables (1995) and Ragtime (1998)
What she’s said: Michele auditioned for Les Misérables on a whim. She didn’t have a headshot and was just tagging along. “I sang a cappella ‘Angel of Music’ from Phantom because it was the only Broadway show I had ever seen; my mother had bought me the CD. And I got the part [of Young Cosette].”
7. Diane Keaton
Early Broadway Shows: Hair (1968) and Play It Again, Sam (1969)
What she’s said: “I do remember that I was in the Broadway production of Hair, and I remember being cast and not understanding why, as usual.”
8. Morgan Freeman
Early Broadway Shows: Hello, Dolly! (1967), The Dozens (1969), Purlie (1970) and The Gospel at Colonus
What he’s said: “I auditioned for this Off-Broadway play, and they hired a friend of mine. He didn’t work out, so they called me back and one of the producers said, ‘I’m one of the ones who didn’t want to hire you, and that was a big mistake, so I’m going to put you on Broadway.’ That was my beginning. I had gone from this first job to a musical on Broadway — Hello, Dolly.”
9. Kristen Bell
Early Broadway Shows: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (2001) and The Crucible (2002)
What she’s said: “I love musical theater so much. I’ve done a couple Broadway musicals and I try to keep music as relevant as possible. It really just puts me in a mental state of happiness like nothing else.”
10, John Travolta
Early Broadway Shows: Grease (1972) and Over Here! (1974)
What he’s said: “I did the road company of Grease and the Broadway show, but I wasn’t in the lead role, I was in a supporting role called Doody… but my daydream was to be in the film… it happened in the part that I really wanted, which was Danny.”
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