From Ariana Grande to Nick Jonas, these celebrity powerhouses started their careers in the theatre.

Though many of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/travel-living/old-hollywood-sailing-photos-summer-inspiration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hollywood's</a> biggest stars are best known for illustrious music careers and high-profile acting stints, a surprising number of stars began their now famed careers under the big lights of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/the-great-gatsby-musical-broadway" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Broadway</a>. With chances to display both acting and musical skills, Broadways has served as the incubator for actors, singers, and comedians alike.
Whether it be <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/inside-ariana-grande-dalton-gomez-honeymoon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ariana Grande</a> starring in the musical 13 or <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/sarah-jessica-parker-sex-and-the-city-revival-and-just-like-that-script-instagram" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarah Jessica Parker</a> leading cult classic Annie, these well-known stars made their debut on the illustrious stages of Broadway. Below, L'OFFICIEL rounds up all the stars who started on Broadway.

Best known for roles in The Help and How to Get Away with Murder,<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/viola-davis-style-fashion-tips-birthday-age"> Viola Davis</a> began her acting career on Broadway. After graduating from <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/fendi-juilliard-jazz-anima-mundi-music" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Juilliard</a>, Davis starred in the play Seven Guitars in 1996 and has since returned for Off-Broadway productions like King Hedley II and Fences.

Though <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/nick-jonas-first-look-jersey-boys-movie-musical">Nick Jonas</a> is best known for being a part of the heartthrob boy band the Jonas Brothers as well as his solo music career, Jonas began his rise to stardom on Broadway. With roles in plays like A Christmas Carol, Beauty and the Beast, Annie Get Your Gun, Les Mis&eacute;rables, the star certainly left his mark on Broadway. Continuing his love for acting, Jonas is set to star in the movie Jersey Boys.

Florence Henderson began her career acting in the Broadway premiere of Wish You Were Here in 1952. Shortly after leaving Broadway, Henderson led&nbsp;The Florence Henderson Show&nbsp;and, of course, the sitcom The Brady Bunch.

As a then undiscovered actress, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/meryl-streep-young-rare-photos-movies">Meryl Streep</a> began her acting career in 1977 on Broadway. Starring in Happy End, Streep played Lieutenant Lillian Holiday in the musical comedy. Streep stayed on the cast for one year and was nominated for an Obie Award for her performance.

Though<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/sarah-jessica-parker-favorite-sex-and-the-city-fashion"> Sarah Jessica Parker</a> is overwhelmingly known for her breakout role in<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/sex-and-the-city-samantha-jones-best-quotes-2021"> Sex and the City</a>, the star rose to prominence on Broadway. At the age of 11, Parker starred in Annie and is set to star in Plaza Suite with Matthew Broderick in 2022, further displaying her love for theatre.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer "To Hear You Say My Name"

Before <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/kristen-bell-best-movies-films-roles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kristen Bell</a> starred in blockbusters like Frozen and Veronica Mars, the actress solidified her acting skills on Broadway. After graduating from New York University in 2001, Bell starred in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Crucible before moving to Los Angeles to pursue on-screen roles.

In the late '60s, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/diane-keaton-outfits-annie-hall-boots" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diane Keaton</a> began her now illustrious career on the Broadway stage. Keaton was an understudy in the 1968 production of Hair&nbsp;and starred in Play It Again and Sam, the latter of which she was nominated for a Tony Award.

Best known for her hit singles like "Thank U, Next" and "Positions," <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/ariana-grande-beauty-moments-red-carpet-music-videos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ariana Grande </a>rose to fame through the world of acting. Aside from starring in the hit TV show Victorious, Grande was also a part of the cast of the musical 13 during her early teenage years.

British actress Julie Andrews started her career on Broadway starring in The Boy Friend and My Fair Lady in which she played Eliza Doolittle. This experience helped Andrews in later memorable roles in films like Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music.

9 Stars You Forgot Started on Broadway

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