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6.3k voters

The Greatest Broadway Stars of All Time

Updated January 26, 2021 62.7k votes 6.3k voters 106.6k views126 items

List RulesVote up the famous Broadway actors, actresses, and singers who have been shining stars on the main stage.

These Broadway stars have been the biggest audience draws in the past, and many are sure to be in the future. All the theater stars on this list have performed at one of the forty designated Broadway theaters. Many theater actors listed here originated roles that have become beloved by audiences of all ages. From newer names (like Lea Michele) to old favorites who have passed on (such as Sammy Davis, Jr.), you’ll find them all here on this list of the greatest Broadway stars of all time.

Did you know that one amazing Broadway star performed two leading roles in a single day? Howard Keel, who later went on to star on the hit television show “Dallas,” understudied for the lead in Carousel in 1945. After he began performing in Oklahoma!, his understudy skills were needed - and he performed both plays in one night. Not only for his amazing performances, but also for his vigor, Keel has earned his place on this list of the most amazing Broadway stars.

Other Broadway stars are just beginning to make their marks. A prime example is Lea Michele, who is perhaps most widely recognized for her “Glee” character, Rachel Berry. She conquered the Broadway stage when she originated the role of Wendla in Spring Awakening. Audiences responded to her great Broadway performance, as did critics, and she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Michele and her cohort of Broadway newcomers are definitely building their names as the most popular Broadway performers.

On this list you’ll find all of the greatest Broadway stars from the past and present. Although some have left the stage, their memories live on and give new generations of Broadway stars something to aspire to. Cast your votes below for the greatest Broadway stars of all time.

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Julie Andrews
Age: 85
Birthplace: Walton-on-Thames, United Kingdom
Country of nationality: United Kingdom
Debuted on Broadway in 1954 in The Boy Friend.
Dame Julie Andrews, (born 1 October 1935) is an English actress, singer and author. Andrews, a... more
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Patti LuPone
Age: 71
Birthplace: Northport, Huntington, New York, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Won a Tony Award for her performance in Evita.
Patti Ann LuPone (born April 21, 1949) is an American actress and singer, best known for her... more
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Bernadette Peters
Age: 72
Birthplace: Ozone Park, New York City, New York, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Critically acclaimed for her performances in Gypsy, Annie Get Your Gun, and more.
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Idina Menzel
Age: 49
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Originated the role of Elphaba in Wicked.
Idina Kim Menzel (born May 30, 1971) is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. Menzel... more
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Barbra Streisand
Age: 77
Birthplace: Williamsburg, New York City, New York, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Remembered for her Broadway performance in Funny Girl.
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Kristin Chenoweth
Age: 52
Birthplace: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Originated the role of Glinda in Wicked.
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Angela Lansbury
Age: 95
Birthplace: Poplar, London, United Kingdom
Country of nationality: United States of America, United Kingdom
Remembered for her Broadway performance in Mame.
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Carol Channing
Age: 98
Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Originated the role of Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!
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Liza Minnelli
Age: 73
Birthplace: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Has won four Tony Awards in her illustrious Broadway career.
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Jonathan Groff
Age: 35
Birthplace: Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Originated starring roles in Spring Awakening and as King George III in Hamilton.
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Lin-Manuel Miranda
Age: 40
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Wrote and starred in Hamilton.
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Sutton Foster
Age: 45
Birthplace: Statesboro, Georgia, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Regarded for her performance as Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Sutton Lenore Foster (born March 18, 1975) is an American actress, singer and dancer. She is... more
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Lea Salonga
Age: 49
Birthplace: Angeles, Philippines
Country of nationality: Philippines
Originated the role of Kim in Miss Saigon.
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Audra McDonald
Age: 50
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
Country of nationality: United States of America
Won a Tony Award for her performance in Porgy and Bess.
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#122 of 225 The Greatest Black Actresses of All Time#107 of 126 The Greatest Black Female Singers
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Jeremy Jordan
Age: 36
Birthplace: Corpus Christi, Texas, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Jeremy Michael Jordan is an American actor and singer. He has performed on Broadway and in... more
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Nathan Lane
Age: 63
Birthplace: Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
Country of nationality: United States of America
Won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in The Producers.
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Carol Burnett
Age: 86
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Has performed in musicals including I Do! I Do! and Love Letters.
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Gene Kelly
Was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1992.
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Ethel Merman
Dec. at 76 (1908-1984)
Birthplace: Astoria, New York City, New York, United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Introduced many Broadway standards, including "Anything Goes" and "I Got Rhythm."
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Chita Rivera
Age: 86
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States of America
Country of nationality: United States of America
Performed in Broadway shows including Can-Can and Guys and Dolls.
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Michael Crawford
Age: 77
Birthplace: Salisbury, England
Country of nationality: England
Debuted on Broadway in Black Comedy.
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Hugh Jackman
Age: 51
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Country of nationality: Australia
Performed in the Royal National Theatre's production of Oklahoma!
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Ben Platt
Age: 24
Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA
Country of nationality: America
Ben Platt is famous for his role in Pitch Perfect and his role in the Broadway play Dear Evan Hansen.

Benjamin Schiff Platt (born September 24, 1993) is an American actor, singer, and songwriter.... more

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Andrew Rannells
Age: 42
Birthplace: USA, Nebraska, Omaha
Country of nationality: United States of America
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Ramin Karimloo
Age: 42
Birthplace: Tehran, Iran
Country of nationality: Canada, Iran
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Jonathan Groff

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Ben Platt