The Biggest Stars Ever To Hit Broadway (Ranked)

Broadway's Brightest

Broadway's brightest stars dazzled us with soaring vocals and gravity-defying choreography, creating unforgettable moments that left audiences spellbound. Ready for a front-row seat? Read on.

Julie Andrews

A sense of nostalgia floods in when you hear the name Julie Andrews. Is she Maria to you in The Sound of Music, or Mary Poppins from the film Mary Poppins? You think of her as an icon, a trailblazer, a pioneer, though, frankly, very few words can do justice to who she truly is.

Trailer screenshot, Wikimedia Commons

Julie Andrews (Cont.)

She began her career at a very young age and starred in her first popular movie, My Fair Lady, as Eliza. From there on, she became known for her angelic voice and heartfelt performances. Andrews has been honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award, six Golden Globe Awards, three Grammy Awards, and more.

Eva Rinaldi, Wikimedia Commons

Lea Salonga

There are a few people who, if they weren't part of your childhood in the 70s and 80s, it feels like an error, and Lea Salonga was one of them. Her beautiful, crystal-clear voice lives rent-free in the heads of many people. In the flying carpet scene in Aladdin, Salonga brings Jasmine's character to life.

Lea Salonga and Brad Kane - A Whole New World - 1993 Oscars by LSFP

Lea Salonga (Cont.)

The Philippine-born became famous with her role as Kim in Miss Saigon. Her exceptional performance has won her many awards, including the Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and a historic Tony Award, which made her the first actress of Asian background to win the award.

The Tony Awards, Wikimedia Commons

Angela Lansbury

Only a handful of people get nominated for an Oscar for their debut movie. The 18-time Emmy nominee has been at the top of her career ever since her debut. She has the record of the most unsuccessful nominations by performance, which in itself is an achievement.

Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Angela Lansbury (Cont.)

She was featured in the TV series Murder She Wrote, which had 25 million weekly viewers. For the latecomers into her career, we would know her divine voice in the movie Beauty and the Beast, where she performed the famous theme song, "Beauty and the Beast."

ANGELA LANSBURY Sings Beauty And The Beast by Flicks And The City Clips

Bernadette Peters

Bernadette Peters's career is a result of her multitalent skills and her lasting career, one that spans over six decades. At age 9 she is already gracing the screen. In 1968 she bagged a Theatre World Award, talking about a queen that knows her onion.

CBS, Wikimedia Commons

Bernadette Peters (Cont.)

With her very good vocals and her commanding stage presence, it didn't take too long for her presence to be felt in Broadway theater. Many of those performances were in iconic musicals. She got two Tony Awards along with Nine Drama Desk nominations, a Grammy, and the like.

Nick Step, Wikimedia Commons

Audra McDonald 

We are just blessed to have her around because, boy, the power in her voice is full of emotion, with that warmth that just hypnotizes the audience. It's no surprise that she holds the record for the most Tony Awards, with six wins, and is the only person to have won in all four acting categories.

William P. Gottlieb, Wikimedia Commons

Audra McDonald  (Cont.)

She effortlessly set the pace, becoming the first  Black actress to play traditionally white roles on Broadway. You know you are good when even the white house wants to attach itself to you. In 2016, President Obama awarded her the National Medal of Art Award 2015

Office of the President, Wikimedia Commons

Patti LuPone

Known for her powerful voice, LuProne became very well known when she took the role of Eva Peron in Evita, even though she earned her first three Tony Awards as Eva, she has never failed to express how terrible it was for her on set. 

1980 Patti LuPone Don't Cry For Me Argentina Evita by Joanne's Vodka Stinger: Patti LuPone Video Archive

Patti LuPone (Cont.)

LuPone is a product of hard work amongst everything surrounding it. It is a known fact that she went through 200 auditions to get the role. Eva in the series Eva Peron. And when she is not on set, she is a tireless advocate for art.

Our Movie Guide, Wikimedia Commons

Ben Platt

Many times we get so caught up in the sopranos of the female vocals that we almost forget that men do wonders with their voices, and Ben Platt is not a stranger to vocal wonders. His vocal audacity in the movie Pitch Perfect, where he starred as Benji, brought him to the limelight.

I Got The Magic In Me | Pitch Perfect (2012) | TUNE by TUNE - Musical Moments

Ben Platt (cont)

At 23, he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in Dear Evan Hansen, which made him the youngest performer to win in that category. This also got him an Oscar. Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater and also Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance.

The Tony Awards on YouTube, Wikimedia Commons

Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand's early years were marked by resilience and a fierce determination to pursue her career. The family struggled financially, which shaped the way Streisand thought about life. She went on to become the first woman to write, produce, and star in an important film that went on to win a lot of awards.

Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Barbra Streisand (Cont.)

That 16-year-old who took on multiple jobs has since sold over 150 million records worldwide. Barbra Streisand's influence and legacy in entertainment is incredibly strong. Her voice made way for a record-breaking Billboard 200 chart-topping album. It's not every day we see or hear about fairytales. 

Lifescript, Wikimedia Commons

Jeremy Jordan

Jeremy Jordan is definitely the voice that will serenade you—his composure and the warmth in his voice. After his debut in 2009 in Rock of Ages, the way he portrayed characters like Clyde Barrow in Bonnie & Clyde (2011) and Jack Kelly in Newsies (2012) was amazing, landing him both a Tony and Grammy nomination.

Jeremy Jordan - Bonnie (Bonnie & Clyde) (Town Hall NYC 3-11-19) by anrina

Jeremy Jordan (Cont.)

Thanks to his consistency, Jeremy's ability to take on different roles and personify the character has made him one of the best Broadway stars. From playing Tony in West Side Story to Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, his passion and vocal excellence have really been unmatched.

Sarah_Ackerman, Wikimedia Commons

Kristin Chenoweth

She has always been admired for her vocal excellence, arguably one of the greatest we have seen on Broadway. Her stage presence is striking, and Kristin has been able to serenade us in different mediums: theater, television, and films. She made her Broadway debut in 1997, which earned her a Theatre World Award.

Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons

Kristin Chenoweth (Cont.)

She has since bagged a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Her television roles include Olive Snook in Pushing Daisies  and Annabeth Schott in The West Wing, for which she was honored with a Primetime Emmy Award. 

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown | 1999 Tony Awards by Matt Hagmeier Curtis

Neil Patrick

Neil is a multi-talented gentleman, an actor, singer, writer, producer, and television host, you name it. He is widely known for most of his work on TV, which has gotten him a lot of awards, including the Golden Globes. Thanks to his versatility, Neil's career has been soaring.

Rhododendrites, Wikimedia Commons

Neil Patrick (Cont.)

His big impact on Broadway and his energy as a host have made him a well-loved star, with fans seeing him as one of the top Broadway icons. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most important people in 2010. He has also made significant contributions to charity and arts education.

David Shankbone, Wikimedia Commons

Sutton Foster

Sutton Foster became popular on Broadway when she took on the role of Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002), which led to her winning the Tony Award for Best Actress. Afterward, she met with more fans and opportunities, and her fan base grew wider.

Broadway.com, Wikimedia Commons

Sutton Foster (Cont.)

Her portrayal as Princess Fiona in Shrek allows her the ability to blend vocal skill and humor into the character, a role that became very popular and gained so many international audiences. The original movie was released in 2001, drawing millions to cinemas and bagging an Academy Award.

PhilipRomanoPhoto, Wikimedia Commons

Lin-Manuel Miranda

From his groundbreaking debut in In the Heights to the cultural phenomenon Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda has redefined modern musical theater. As a creator, composer, lyricist, and actor, Miranda’s blend of storytelling, hip-hop, and diverse representation has resonated worldwide.

Steve Jurvetson, Wikimedia Commons