Several famous film actors and actresses started their careers in theater. Some of these famous actors started in musicals on Broadway and others started in small Shakespearean theaters. Several Academy Award-winning actors even got their start performing in front of a live audience. This list of famous film actors who started on stage has been loosely ranked by fame and popularity.
Who is the most famous film actor who started on stage? Natalie Portman tops our list. In 1992, when she was just 10 years old, Natalie Portman landed an understudy role in the off-Broadway musical Ruthless!. Five years later, she played the role of Anne Frank in a Broadway adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank.
In 1968, Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman made his Broadway debut appearing in Hello, Dolly! with Cab Calloway. Fellow Oscar-winner Alan Arkin appeared in the Broadway production of Enter Laughing 1963.
Do you think that having a background in theater helped these actors to succeed? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
In 1992, when she was just 10 years old, Natalie Portman landed an understudy role in the off-Broadway musical Ruthless!. Five years later, she played the role of Anne Frank in a Broadway adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank.
Gwyneth Paltrow first appeared on stage in 1990 at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts. She made her film debut one year later appearing in Shout and Hook.
Age: 50
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States of America
In 1968, Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman made his Broadway debut appearing in Hello, Dolly! with Cab Calloway. He began to be successful in film in 1989 when he appeared in both Driving Miss Daisy and Glory.
Lea Michele made her Broadway debut when she was just eight years old portraying Young Cosette in Les Misérables. In 2008, Ryan Murphy discovered her on Broadway and cast her in his high school musical sitcom "Glee."
