“What Is This Feeling?” Well, it’s the continued dominance of Wicked. The movie, which debuted nationwide on November 22, is still going very strong at the box office, just like the musical did years ago.
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In fact, Wicked has been such a staple on Broadway that it’s currently the fourth longest-running show on the Great White Way. Of course, this means many actors have stepped into the iconic roles of Elphaba, Glinda, and other beloved Ozians.
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So, in celebration of Wicked, here are 13 celebs who’ve starred in the musical at some point, be it on Broadway, a touring production, or a sit-down show outside of New York:
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Elphaba:
1.Ana Gasteyer
In 2005, the Saturday Night Live alum originated the role of Elphaba in a sit-down production of Wicked in Chicago before reprising the role on Broadway the following year.
A comedy legend, Ana has appeared in films like Mean Girls and Wine Country and TV shows like The Goldbergs and American Auto.
She went back to Broadway this year to star in a revival of the musical Once Upon a Mattress alongside Sutton Foster and Michael Urie.
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Glinda:
2.Annaleigh Ashford
After appearing in the original run of Legally Blonde, Annaleigh Ashford played Glinda on Broadway in 2007.
She’s had further success on stage, originating roles in the musicals Kinky Boots in 2013, the revival of You Can’t Take It With You in 2014 (for which she won a Tony), and Sweeney Todd last year.
But that’s not all. Annaleigh has also excelled on TV, garnering an Emmy nom for the 2022 miniseries Welcome to Chippendales and appearing in Masters of Sex, American Crime Story (both the Gianni Versace and Impeachment seasons), and B Positive.
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3.Megan Hilty
Before she was a smash hit on NBC’s way too short-lived 2012 musical series Smash, Megan Hilty hit the ground running on Broadway. She was one of the first performers to replace Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda on Broadway. She also originated a role in the 2009 musical adaption of 9 to 5.
Smash then brought her to new heights, and she followed it up with further TV and stage performances, including the series Sean Saves the World in 2014, a Tony-nominated turn in a revival of Noises Off in 2015, and NBC’s live musical Annie Live! in 2021.
You can currently see Megan in the original Broadway musical adaptation of the iconic film Death Becomes Her.
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Madame Morrible:
4.Rue McClanahan
What’s more iconic than playing Blanche Deveraux and Madame Morrible?
The Emmy-winning Golden Girls icon, who died in 2010 at 76, had an impressive and acclaimed career that included starring as the headmistress of Shiz University in 2005.
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5.Sheryl Lee Ralph
Sheryl Lee Ralph is a Broadway legend, having originated and won a Tony for the role of Deena Jones in Dreamgirls in 1981.
Sheryl became the first Black woman to play Madame Morrible when she joined Wicked on Broadway in 2016.
Of course, you likely already know that Sheryl went on to and currently stars in the hit ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary, for which she won an Emmy in 2022.
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6.Carol Kane
The legendary actor first broke through in 1975 with the film Hester Street, which earned her an Oscar Nom. She’s also well known for her work in the 1980s comedy series Taxi (which garnered her two Emmys) and the late-2010s Netflix sitcom Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Since 2005, Carol has starred as Madame Morrible in various productions of Wicked.
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7.Miriam Margolyes
Miriam Margolyes is a legendary British actor who is likely best-known stateside for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films. She also starred in notable films like Yentl, Little Shop of Horrors, The Age of Innocence, and Romeo + Juliet.
As for Wicked, Miriam originated the role of Madame Morrible on London’s West End in 2006. She later appeared in the Broadway production, too.
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Fiyero:
8.Taye Diggs
Taye Diggs is well-known for his roles in films like The Best Man franchise, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Brown Suger, Chicago, and Set It Up. On TV, he’s starred in the series Kevin Hill, Private Practice, Murder in the First, and All American.
In addition to all of this, he’s had a seriously impressive theater career. Did you know he originated the character of Benny in Rent in 1996? The musical also starred Idina Menzel. The two were married from 2003 to 2014, and they share a son.
Taye has gone back to Broadway over the years, including as Billy Flynn in Chicago (the same year he played the character in the film adaption), as Fiyero in Wicked in 2003, and most recently as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch in 2015.
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9.Joey McIntyre
While Joey McIntyre might be best known for being a member of New Kids on the Block, make no mistake that he’s a star of the stage.
In 2004, the singer and actor made his Broadway debut playing Fiyero in Wicked and returned to the Great White Way in 2019 for a role in Waitress. He’s also appeared in a series of off-Broadway productions, including being part of the original cast of the currently running show Drag: The Musical. He co-stars alongside none other than RuPaul’s Drag Race winner and all-around icon Alaska Thunderfuck.
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10.Aaron Tveit
If you know musical theater, you know Aaron Tveit. He’s originated roles in Next to Normal, Catch Me If You Can, and most recently, Moulin Rouge! He even won a Tony for Moulin Rouge!
Before this, Aaron cut his teeth on Broadway in two major musicals: Hairspray in 2006 as Link Larkin and Wicked in 2008 as Fiyero.
Onscreen, you may recognize him from the 2012 film adaption of Les Misérables, as Nate Archibald’s cousin Tripp van der Bilt on Gossip Girl, and the musical TV series Schmigadoon!
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11.Justin Guarini
The first-ever American Idol runner-up has found himself a successful career on Broadway. He began by appearing in American Idiot in 2011. He followed it up with original roles in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown in 2010 and Romeo and Juliet in 2013.
In 2014, he starred as Fiyero in Wicked. He recently originated characters in two musicals: In Transit in 2016 and Once Upon a One More Time in 2023.
You might also recognize him as Lil’ Sweet in the Dr. Pepper ads.
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Boq:
12.Robin De Jesús
In 2008, Robin De Jesús originated the rule of Sonny in In The Heights on Broadway, garnering a Tony nomination. But that’s far from his only feat on the Great White Way. He garnered additional Tony noms for his work in two revivals: the musical La Cage aux Folles in 2010 and the play The Boys in the Band in 2019.
Between those two performances, Robin starred as Boq in Wicked from 2014 to 2016.
You might also know him from his roles in the film adaptions of The Boys in the Band in 2020 and the musical Tick, Tick…Boom! in 2021.
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The Wizard:
13.Finally, Kevin Chamberlin
Kevin Chamberlain is a Broadway vet, having secured three Tony nominations for his work in the play Dirty Blonde and the musicals Seussical and The Addams Family.
Disney Channel kids might also recognize him from his role as Bertram in Jessie and Dr. Fusion in Teen Beach Movie.
Kevin’s most recent run on Broadway was portraying The Wizard in Wicked in 2018 and 2019.
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There are so many more legends who’ve starred in Wicked. So let us know in the comments below who your favorite actors to take on the esteemed roles are!
