The Greatest Broadway Stars of All Time
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.
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.Originated the role of Kim in Miss Saigon.
Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga, , (; born February 22, 1971) is a Filipina singer and actress, best known for her roles in musical theatre, for supplying the singing voices of two Disney ...more- 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 child actress and singer, appeared in the West End in 1948 and made her Broadway debut in The Boy Friend ...more
Originated starring roles in Spring Awakening and as King George III in Hamilton.
- Critically acclaimed for her performances in Gypsy, Annie Get Your Gun, and more.Bernadette Peters (born Bernadette Lazzara; February 28, 1948) is an American actress, singer, and children's book author. Over the course of a career that has spanned five decades, she has starred ...more
- 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 work in stage musicals. She has won two Grammy Awards, two Tony Awards, and two Olivier Awards. She is ...more
- Remembered for her Broadway performance in Funny Girl.Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand (born April 24, 1942) is an American singer, actress, and filmmaker. In a career spanning six decades, she has achieved success in multiple fields of entertainment and ...more
- Originated the role of Elphaba in Wicked.Idina Kim Menzel (born May 30, 1971) is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. Menzel rose to prominence when she originated the role of Maureen Johnson in the Broadway musical Rent. Her ...more
- Originated the role of Glinda in Wicked.Kristin Dawn Chenoweth (; born Kristi Dawn Chenoweth, July 24, 1968) is an American actress and singer, with credits in musical theatre, film and television. In 1999, she won a Tony Award for her ...more
- Won a Tony Award for her performance in Porgy and Bess.Audra Ann McDonald (born July 3, 1970) is an American actress and singer. Primarily known for her work on the Broadway stage, she has won six Tony Awards, more performance wins than any other actor, ...more
- Remembered for her Broadway performance in Mame.Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury (born October 16, 1925) is a British-American-Irish actress who has appeared in theatre, television, and film. Her career has spanned eight decades, much of it in the ...more
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. He began his career in theater as a child and has appeared in Broadway productions of The Music Man ...moreWrote and starred in Hamilton.
Lin-Manuel Miranda (born January 16, 1980) is an American composer, lyricist, rapper, singer, actor, playwright and producer, widely known for creating and starring in the Broadway musicals In the ...more- Jeremy Michael Jordan is an American actor and singer. He has performed on Broadway and in television and film, as well as in other theatrical productions. He is best known for the roles of Jack ...more
- Has won four Tony Awards in her illustrious Broadway career.Liza May Minnelli (born March 12, 1946) is an American actress and singer. Best known for her Academy Award-winning performance in Cabaret (1972), she is known for her energetic stage presence and ...more
- 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 known for her work on the Broadway stage, for which she has received two Tony Awards for Best Performance ...more
- Won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in The Producers.
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Leslie Odom Jr.
- Ramin Karimloo (Persian: رامین کریملو; born September 19, 1978) is an Iranian-Canadian actor and singer, recognised mainly for his work in London's West End. He has played the leading male roles in ...more
- Introduced many Broadway standards, including "Anything Goes" and "I Got Rhythm."Ethel Merman (born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann, January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American actress and singer. Known primarily for her distinctive, powerful voice and leading roles in musical ...more
- Neil Patrick Harris (born June 15, 1973) is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, magician, and singer. He is known primarily for his comedy roles on television and his dramatic and musical ...more
- Sierra Marjory Boggess (born May 20, 1982) is an American theater actress and singer. She is best known for originating the role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid on Broadway and for her multiple ...more
- Renée Elise Goldsberry (born January 2, 1971) is an American actress, singer and songwriter, known for originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway musical Hamilton, for which she won ...more
- Andrew Scott Rannells (born August 23, 1978) is an American actor, voice actor, and singer. Rannells was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his ...more
Starred as Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly! on Broadway
Bette Midler (born December 1, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, comedian, and film producer. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Midler began her professional career in several ...more- Originated the role of Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret.Joel Grey (born Joel David Katz; April 11, 1932) is an American actor, singer, dancer, director, and photographer. He is best known for portraying the Master of Ceremonies in the Kander & Ebb musical ...more