14 Celebrities You'd Be Surprised to Know Got Their Start on Broadway

When it comes to talent, these celebrities are triple threats. While stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Meryl Streep are known for their groundbreaking TV and movie roles, you'd be surprised to know that they got their start singing and dancing on the stage. In fact, many of them still raise their incredible voices from time to time (looking at you, Anna Kendrick). Whether or not you're a theater nerd, you'll definitely appreciate some of these stars' humble beginnings on Broadway.

01
Diane Keaton
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Diane Keaton

In 1968, Diane was a member of the "Tribe" in the original Broadway production of Hair. Nine months later, she scored a part in Woody Allen's Broadway production of Play It Again, Sam, which earned her a Tony nomination.

02
Jonathan Groff
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Jonathan Groff

Jonathan made a name for himself with Spring Awakening, but his first Broadway gig came just a year before his breakout role. Shortly after he graduated from high school, he was a swing for the 2005 musical In My Life by Joseph Brooks.

03
Jeremy Jordan
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Jeremy Jordan

Aside from playing the lovable Winn on Supergirl, the actor has an impressive Broadway résumé (not to mention a Tony nomination for his role in Newsies). He got his start in 2009 when he appeared in Rock of Ages and also starred as an alternate for the leading role of Tony in the revival of West Side Story.

04
Meryl Streep
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Meryl Streep

Before becoming the most Oscar-nominated actress of all time, Meryl started her career on the stage. In 1977, she starred in the Broadway musical Happy End and won an Obie for her performance.

05
Skylar Astin
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Skylar Astin

Skylar is yet another actor to get his start in Spring Awakening. He originated the role of Georg in the original Off-Broadway and Broadway production.

06
Anna Kendrick
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Anna Kendrick

Anna was singing long before she was Beca in Pitch Perfect. When she was 12, she played a supporting role in the 1998 Broadway musical High Society. Her performance even earned her a Tony nomination, making her the third-youngest nominee.

07
John Travolta
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John Travolta

There's a reason John landed the iconic role of Danny Zuko (he was actually in the touring company of the Grease musical before the movie). Later, he made his Broadway debut in the 1974 musical Over Here!, singing the Sherman Brothers' song "Dream Drummin'."

08
Sarah Jessica Parker
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Sarah Jessica Parker

When Sarah Jessica was 11, she starred in the Broadway revival of The Innocents. A year later, she scored a small role in the original Broadway production of Annie. She would later go on to play the title character in March 1979.

09
Julie Andrews
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Julie Andrews

In September 1954, shortly before her 19th birthday, Julie made her Broadway debut as Polly Browne in the musical The Boy Friend. After gaining critical acclaim for her role, she went on to play Eliza Doolittle in the original Broadway production of My Fair Lady.

10
Victor Garber
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Victor Garber

Victor is a legendary actor, but he's also a legendary Broadway star. He appeared in the original productions of Deathtrap, Sweeney Todd, and Noises Off. His first Broadway gig was in 1977 as a standby for Mark in The Shadow Box.

11
Nick Jonas
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Nick Jonas

Before forming a band with his older brothers, Nick was a child star. He began performing on Broadway at the age of seven, appearing in Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast, and Annie Get Your Gun. He returned to his theater roots in 2011 when he took over Daniel Radcliffe's role in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

12
Kristen Bell
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Kristen Bell

In 2001, Kristen left NYU to play Becky Thatcher in the short-lived Broadway musical, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. That following year, she appeared in the Broadway revival of The Crucible with Liam Neeson, Angela Bettis, and Laura Linney, before heading to LA to pursue a career in television.

13
Lea Michele
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Lea Michele

Before Lea played the Broadway-obsessed Rachel Berry on Glee, she was a Broadway star herself. While she is known for originating the role of Wendla Bergmann in Spring Awakening, she got her Broadway debut way back in 1995 as young Cosette in Les Misérables.

14
Grant Gustin
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Grant Gustin

While Grant didn't actually star on Broadway, he did play Baby John in the Broadway Revival Tour of West Side Story in 2010.