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Celebrities on Broadway

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Published on: Oct 19, 2022
Last Updated on: Jul 25, 2026
By: Kathryn Willingham
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Part of the fun of Broadway is seeing your favorite celebrities, New York actors, and Broadway stars in person. And you may be surprised by just how many Hollywood stars have been on stage in recent years. Nicole Kidman graced the Broadway stage as early as 1998 in The Blue Room. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis both won a Tony for Fences in 2010, the same year Scarlett Johansson made her Broadway debut in A View from the Bridge.

Tom Hanks starred in Lucky Guy in 2013. Carly Rae Jepsen starred in Cinderella in 2014, Jeff Daniels and Michelle Williams starred in Blackbird in 2016, and Bryan Cranston starred in Network in 2018. Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon starred in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, and Tom Hiddleston starred in Betrayal in 2019.

In the last few years alone, audiences were wowed by George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Hugh Jackman, Rachel Zegler, Jessica Chastain, Robert Downey Jr, and Jake Gyllenhaal, who all graced the Broadway stage. Here’s who you can see right now:

Celebrities in Broadway Musicals

And-Juliet-Stephen-Sondheim

& Juliet

Chrissy Metz, Joey Fatone and Laurie Hernandez join the cast of & Juliet as Angélique, Lance, and Charmion.

Why You Know Chrissy: Chrissy Metz is best known for playing Kate Pearson on the hit television series This Is Us and Starr on The Hunting Wives.

Why You Know Joey Fatone: Joey Fatone is known for being part of the band NSYNC. He has also been seen in the tv series Dancing with the Starsand The Masked Singer and has hosted The Singing Bee, Rewrapped, and Common Knowledge. He has previously been seen on stage in Rent and Little Shop of Horrors.

Why You Know Laurie: Laurie Hernandez is an Olympic gold medalist who was part of the US Women’s Gymnastics team. She also won Season 23 of Dancing with the Stars.

Just In Time

Just in Time

Jeremy Jordan stars as Bobby Darin in Just in Time at the Circle in the Square Theatre.

Why You Know Jeremy: Jeremy Jordan is known for his performance as Winslow “Winn” Schott Jr. in the tv series Supergirl as well as for his roles in the film The Last Five Years and the tv show Smash. He has previously been seen on Broadway in The Great Gatsby, Floyd Collins, Bonnie & Clyde, Newsies, American Son, and Waitress.

The Rocky Horror Show

Luke Evans, Stephanie Hsu, and Rachel Dratch star in The Rocky Horror Show at Studio 54.

Why You Know Luke: Luke Evans is known for his roles as Gaston in Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast and as Bard the Bowman in The Hobbit film trilogy. He has also appeared in films including  The Girl on the Train, Nine Perfect Strangers, and the Fast & Furious franchise. He has previously been seen on stage in Rent, Piaf, and Backstairs Billy.

Why You Know Stephanie: Stephanie Hsu is known for her performance as Joy Wang/Jobu Tupaki in Everything Everywhere All at Once. She has previously appeared on Broadway in Be More Chill and The SpongeBob Musical.

Why You Know Rachel: Rachel Dratch is best known for her years as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, where she created iconic characters like Debbie Downer. She has previously been seen on Broadway in POTUS.

Titanique poster featuring Marla Mindelle holding a microphone

Titanique

Jim Parsons, Deborah Cox, and Melissa Barrera star as Ruth Dewitt Bukater, Unsinkable Molly Brown, and Rose Bukater in Titanique at the St. James Theatre.

Why You Know Jim: Jim Parsons is known for his portrayal of Sheldon Cooper in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory as well as for the films Spoiler Alert, The Boys in the Band, and Hidden Figures, and the tv shows Hollywood and Young Sheldon. He has previously been seen on Broadway in Our Town, Mother Play,The Normal Heart, Harvey, and An Act of God.

Why You Know Deborah: Deborah Cox is a singer, songwriter, actress and producer. She is known for many hit songs, including: “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here,” “Absolutely Not,” “It’s Over Now,” and “Who Do U Love.” She has previously been seen on Broadway in Aida, Jekyll & Hyde, and The Wiz.

Why You Know Melissa: Melissa Barrera is known for her performance as Sam Carpenter in the Scream franchise and as Vanessa Morales in In the Heights as well as for her performance in the tv shows Vida and The Copenhagen Test.

Celebrities in Broadway Plays

Winter Garden Theatre lit up at night

Death of a Salesman

Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf star in Death of a Salesman at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Why You Know Nathan: Nathan Lane is known for his many roles on Broadway including in The Producers, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Guys and Dolls, The Addams Family, Angels in America, and Pictures From Home as well as for his performance in the films The Lion King, The Birdcage, and The Producers and in the tv shows Only Murders In the Building, The Gilded Age, and Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.

Why You Know Laurie: Laurie Metcalf is known for her many roles on Broadway including in Little Bear Ridge Road, Three Tall Women, A Doll’s House Part 2, The Other Place, and Misery as well as for her performance in the tv shows Hacks, Roseanne, Third Rock from the Sun, and Monk and in the films Lady Bird, Desperately Seeking Susan, and Uncle Buck.

Every Brilliant Thing at the Hudson Theatre

Every Brilliant Thing

Tracee Ellis Ross stars in Every Brilliant Thing at the Hudson Theatre.

Why You Know Tracee: Tracee Ellis Ross is known for starring as Rainbow "Bow" Johnson on the tv show Black-ish as well as for her role in the tv series Girlfriends and in the films Candy Cane Lane and American Fiction. This is her Broadway debut.

harry-potter-cursed-child-at-lyric

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Tom Felton joins Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as Draco Malfoy, reprising his role from the film franchise.

Why You Know Tom: Tom Felton starred as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movie franchise. He is also known for his performance in the films Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Belle as well as in the tv shows The Flash and Origin.

Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer star in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone at the Barrymore Theatre.

Why You Know Taraji: Taraji P. Henson is a Golden Globe winning and Academy Award, Emmy, and Tony Award nominated actress known for her performances in the films Hidden Figures, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Hustle and Flow as well as in the tv shows Person of Interest, Empire, and Abbott Elementary. She has previously been seen on stage in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.

Why You Know Cedric: Cedric the Entertainer is known for his performance in the tv series The Neighborhood, The Soul Man, and The Steve Harvey Show as well as for hosting Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and starring in the film Barbershop. He has previously been seen on Broadway in American Buffalo.

Oh, Mary! at the Lyceum

Oh, Mary!

Meg Stalter stars as Mary in Oh, Mary! at the Lyceum Theatre.

Why You Know Meg: Meg Stalter is an actor and comedian known for playing Kayla in the HBO Max series Hacks as well as for the tv shows Too Much and the webseries The Megan Stalter Show.

Celebrities Off-Broadway

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Kevin McHale stars in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at New World Stages.

Why You Know Kevin: Kevin McHale is most well-known for playing Artie Abrams in the hit musical dramedy series Glee. He went on to host Virtually Famous, a British panel show, and start a podcast with a former Glee co-star Jenna Ushkowitz called And That’s What You Really Missed. He has previously been seen on stage in Frogs at Southwark Playhouse in London.

Giulia

Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo

Jennifer Nettles stars in Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo at PACNYC.

Why You Know Jennifer: Jennifer Nettles is a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress best known as one half of the country duo Sugarland. She has previously been seen on Broadway in Chicago and Waitress.

Little Shop of Horrors

Ethan Slater stars in Little Shop of Horrors at the Westside Theatre.

Why You Know Ethan: Ethan Slater is known for his performance as Boq in the films Wicked and Wicked: For Good as well as for his roles in the tv series Fosse/Verdon and Elsbeth. He has previously been seen on Broadway in The SpongeBob Musical and Spamalot and played The Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in Classic Stage Company’s production of Assassins. He co-wrote and starred in Marcel on the Train at CSC.

Celebrities Coming Soon to Broadway

The Rocky Horror Show

Jake Shears and Kevin McHale join The Rocky Horror Show as Brad and Frank-N-Furter at Studio 54 starting August 25 and September 11 respectively.

Why You Know Jake: Jake Shears is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and author best known as the charismatic frontman of the glam-pop band Scissor Sisters. He has previously been seen on stage in Kinky Boots on Broadway and Cabaret on the West End.

Why You Know Kevin: Kevin McHale is most well-known for playing Artie Abrams in the hit musical dramedy series Glee. He went on to host Virtually Famous, a British panel show, and start a podcast with a former Glee co-star Jenna Ushkowitz called And That’s What You Really Missed. He has previously been seen on stage in Frogs at Southwark Playhouse in London.

860

Billy Crystal stars in 860 at the Imperial Theatre starting October 1, 2026.

Why You Know Billy: Billy Crystal is an actor and comedian known for starring in When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, and Analyze This. He also voiced Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc. He has hosted the Academy Awards nine times and has previously appeared on Broadway in 700 Sundays and Mr. Saturday Night.

Hudson-Theatre

Other Desert Cities

Ed Harris, Allison Janney, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Joe Keery, and Lily Rabe star in Other Desert Cities at the Hudson Theatre starting October 18, 2026.

Why You Know Ed: Ed Harris is known for the movies Apollo 13, The Truman Show, The Hours, and Glengarry Glen Ross as well as in the tv shows Lou Grant, Empire Falls, and Westworld. He has previously been seen on Broadway in To Kill a Mockingbird, Taking Sides, and Precious Sons.

Why You Know Allison: Allison Janney is known for her performance in The West Wing, Masters of Sex, Mom, and The Diplomat as well as in the films American Beauty, The Help, Bombshell, and I, Tonya. She has previously been seen on Broadway in Six Degrees of Separation, 9 to 5, The Taming of the Shrew, A View from the Bridge, and Present Laughter.

Why You Know Julia: Julia Louis-Dreyfus is best known for her performances as Elaine Benes on Seinfeld, Selina Meyer on Veep, and Christine Campbell on The New Adventures of Old Christine. She has also appeared in films including Enough Said, You Hurt My Feelings, and Downhill. This is her Broadway debut.

Why You Know Joe: Joe Keery is best known for playing Steve Harrington in Stranger Things. He has also appeared in Fargo and Free Guy and records music under the stage name Djo. This is his Broadway debut.

Why You Know Lily: Lily Rabe is known for her performances in American Horror Story, The Undoing, Presumed Innocent, and The First Lady. She has previously been seen on Broadway in The Merchant of Venice, Seminar, Steel Magnolias, and As You Like It.

Winter Garden Theatre lit up at night

Much Ado About Nothing

Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell star in Much Ado About Nothing at the Winter Garden Theatre starting October 31, 2026.

Why You Know Tom: Tom Hiddleston is known for his portrayal of Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as for his performance in the films War Horse and Crimson Peak and the tv shows The Night Manager and The Essex Serpent. He has previously been seen on Broadway in Betrayal.

Why You Know Hayley: Hayley Atwell is known for her portrayal of Agent Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as for her performance in the films Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning and Mission: Impossible – Reckoning. She has previously been seen on stage in Rosmersholm, The Pride, and A View from the Bridge.

Inter Alia

Rosamund Pike stars as Jessica Parks in Inter Alia at the Music Box Theatre starting November 10, 2026.

Why You Know Rosamund: Rosamund Pike is known for her roles in the films Gone Girl, Jack Reacher, An Education, I Care a Lot, and Saltburn and the tv show The Wheel of Time. She has previously been seen on stage in Hedda Gabler, Madame de Sade, Gas Light, and Hitchcock Blonde.

Winter Garden Theatre lit up at night

Evita

Rachel Zegler stars in Evita starting February 27, 2027 at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Why You Know Rachel: Rachel Zegler is known for playing María in Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of West Side Story as well as for the films The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Snow White. She has previously been seen on Broadway in Romeo and Juliet.

Celebrities Coming Soon Off-Broadway

A View from the Bridge

A View from the Bridge

Sam Rockwell, Marin Ireland, and Alfred Molina star in A View from the Bridge starting November 27 at La Mama.

Why You Know Sam: Sam Rockwell won an Academy Award for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and was Academy Award nominated for the film Vice. He has also starred in the films Frost/Nixon, The Green Mile, Seven Psychopaths, Matchstick Men, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. He has previously been seen on Broadway in A Behanding in Spokane, Fool for Love, and American Buffalo.

Why You Know Marin: Marin Ireland is known for her Tony-nominated performance in Reasons to Be Pretty, as well as for her performances in The Irishman, Hell or High Water, The Umbrella Academy, Sneaky Pete, and Dope Thief. She has been seen on Broadway in After Miss Julie and The Big Knife.

Why You Know Alfred: Alfred Molina is known for his performances in Spider-Man 2, Frida, Boogie Nights, An Education, and Feud: Bette and Joan. On Broadway, he has appeared in Art, Fiddler on the Roof, Red, and Uncle Vanya.

Hollywood Stars Who Got Their Start on Stage

Broadway is known for creating stars. Here are actors you might not know got their start on the Great White Way and the West End:

Nick Jonas appeared on Broadway as a child performer in Annie Get Your Gun, Beauty and the Beast, and Les Misérables. Les Misérables is known for its young talent. Gaten Matarazzo (Stranger Things) once played the role of Gavroche and Lea Michele, known for Spring Awakening and “Glee,” played Young Cosette, Young Eponine, and Gavroche in Les Misérables at different times.

Ariana Grande made her Broadway debut in the musical 13. She has recently returned to her musical theater roots in the film adaptation of Wicked, where she plays the role of Glinda, originally pereformed on stage by Kristin Chenoweth. Cynthia Erivo plays the role of Elphaba, originally performed on stage by Idina Menzel. 

Tom Holland starred as Billy Elliot in the West End musical production in 2008.

Anna Kendrick made her Broadway debut – and earned a Tony nomination - in 1998 in the musical High Society

Meryl Streep got her start on stage, acting in multiple off-Broadway plays in New York. She made her Broadway debut in the musical Happy End in 1977. 

FAQs

What famous actors are on Broadway right now? Jeremy Jordan, Tom Felton, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jim Parsons, Deborah Cox, Melissa Barrera, Luke Evans, Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainer, and Meg Stalter are all acting on Broadway right now.

What famous actors are coming to Broadway soon? Tom Hiddleston, Rosamund Pike, Ed Harris, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Joe Keery, Allison Janney, Lily Rabe, and Rachel Zegler are coming to Broadway soon.

Can I meet a famous actor after the show? It depends on the show, the actor, and their schedule. Many actors come to the stage door after the show and are happy to sign autographs and say hello. The stage door is easy to find – just look for the barricades set up by a door near the entrance to the theater. If an actor is unable to meet with fans, usually someone will come out to tell the waiting crowd. Just be polite and respectful; and bring a pen if you want something signed!

Broadway Celebrity Memoirs

Looking to learn more about Broadway stars? Check out our article, The Ultimate Guide for Best Books About Broadway, to find memoirs, biographies, and more!

Celebrities on the West End

Check out our article about Celebrities on the West End to find out which stars are acting on London stages right now and who is coming soon!

Kathryn Willingham

Head of Creative Development

Kathryn Willingham has worked in entertainment for over ten years, and recent credits include: Co-producer of SHRINK currently streaming on Peacock, Associate Producer of the independent film UNA, and Creative Executive on multiple theatrical productions including HANGMEN by Martin McDonagh on Broadway, NASSIM by Nassim Soleimanpour Off-broadway and Associate on productions EVERY BRILLIANT THING by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe and THE EFFECT by Lucy Prebble. She was Producer of Todd Almond’s musical travelogue “Wyoming and Parts of Kansas” and Production Coordinator for Karen O and KK Barrett's “Stop the Virgens.”

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Education: B.A. in English, Literature & Creative Writing from Rhodes College
Knowledge: Theatrical Production

Published

Oct 19, 2022

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