Broadway Starts to Film Stars

[Pink]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 3:19pm

I'm doing a project for one of my classes and I need help deciding which Broadway performers(currently on Broadway or cast in an upcoming show) could have a possible film/tv career as well. Any ideas? Any help would be great. Thanks!

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 3:21pm

Updated On: 5/5/09 at 03:21 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 3:33pm

Marissa Jaret Winokur is the most recent memory.

Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Harry Groener, Barry Bostwick, Denzel Washington, Laurence Fishburne, Natalie Portman...

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 3:48pm

I could see Cheyenne Jackson and Anika Noni Rose going on to successful TV/film careers. Obviously Mamie Gummer is the one that immediately came to mind though.

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 3:56pm

Sutton Foster and Kerry Butler could definitely make it to film/TV.

[insertclevernamehere]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 5:47pm

Idina Menzel Kristin Chenoweth and Taye Diggs

[skb2010]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 6:02pm

Sutton Foster was actually a character in Flight of the Conchords last season. Wasn't a huge part, but i got addicted to the show because i saw some clips of her.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 6:03pm

Apparently Emily Skinner was just in an indie film that's being shopped for a distributor now.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 6:09pm

If Mamie Gummer becomes a film star, will she really have her theater credits to thank? Seriously.

[westcoast_wannabe]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 6:19pm

Matthew Morrison has recently had some small film roles, and I’m sure he potentially could go on to have a larger movie career.

[FuturePenny2]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 6:42pm

Kerry Butler definitely. She's in Xanadu now, just got done with a recurring role on Lipstick Jungle, had a contract role for a year on One Life to Live, and was in some films as well.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 5:15am

Definitely, Sebastian Arcelus and Leigh Ann Larkin!
Then, Kelli O'Hara, Paulo Szot, Christian Hoff, Boyd Gaines (I think he already has done film), Laura Benanti, Patti LuPone, Sutton Foster, James Barbour, Aaron Lazar, etc, etc...there's so many more =]

Updated On: 5/23/08 at 05:15 AM

[luceecool]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 5:54am

Raul Esparza has just been cast in Wes Craven's new film and should be appearing the second series of Pushing Daisies so I guess his TV and film career is on the up

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 11:46am

Was it announced somewhere that Raúl was actually cast? The only report that has ever been issued said he was "in talks" to play the part, and that it was NOT a done deal, but somebody posted it on IMDb as if it were fact.

The whole thing may well have fallen through.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 11:58am

I think most stage actors become character actors and you see them in bit parts in many films and TV. Rarely do they become "stars." There are a few notable exceptions that someone posted earlier, but very few stars. Most stage actors are working actors, but not stars. Also, I think doing a few plays in the beginning of your acting or film career does not make you a Broadway star or even an accomplished stage actor who now does films. Even heavyweights like Peters, Lupone, and others would be hard pressed to be referred to as stars-many people do not know who they are and they could never open a movie other than a Lifetime movie.

[lildogs]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 12:08pm

Do you mean successful actors who began on stage and then went to film?

I'd start with Shirley MacLaine...

Diane Keaton, Meryl and Sigourney, Kevin Kline and Kevin Spacey

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 12:15pm

I think most actors considered "stars" in the media of film such as one lildog mentioned started their career on stage and maybe had a noteworthy performance that got them noticed for bigger things. Then they rarely, if ever come back to stage.

Many fine actors (Spacey, Linney for example) are excellent actors who go back and forth between the mediums because they truly are "actor's actors". They just want to work wherever the work is appealing to them. The medium doesnt matter and they just like to work.

People who are "Broadway Stars" now are not household names and usually will never be.

Stars dont transition the same way anymore.

[beacon1]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 1:16pm

Patrick Wilson is another one who goes between stage and screen.

Mike Nichols saw him in "The Full Monty" and cast him as Joe Pitt in HBO's adaptation of "Angels in America". He filmed that during the day and played Curley in "Oklahoma" at night on Broadway.

He made a few bigscreen films and then came back and did "Barefoot in the Park" with Amanda Peet, Tony Roberts and Jill Clayburgh.

Then Patrick made several more films. He just wrapped "Watchmen" and "Barry Munday" and will be back on Broadway this fall in "All My Sons".

He certainly seems to be able to land jobs in either medium. And each film makes him more recognizeable. He plays prominent characters.

Updated On: 5/23/08 at 01:16 PM

[modnar]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 1:18pm

Although I'd like to see her stay on Broadway, Lea Michele could definitely make a transition to film.

[bethyd]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 1:59pm

Jon Groff filmed a pilot for FX by the creators of Nip/Tuck. If it gets picked up, I can see him earning a broad fan base and future TV/Film roles.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 2:53pm

If you're looking at West End performers, Ben Barnes who is Prince Caspian in the new Narnia film was discovered by the Narnia casting director after she saw him in a performance of "The History Boys."

[KrissySim]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 3:09pm

my $.02 ;

All stage actors/actresses should work in film at some time in their lives. There is a lot one can learn from film acting that can help in subsequent stage performances, adding nuances to a role, etc.

But the main reason is this: It leaves a legacy. How else can a new generation study the work of Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, etc. etc. ?

[lildogs]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 3:16pm

You forgot LITTLE CHILDREN, beacon...a GREAT movie

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 4:00pm

What about Miriam Margoyles. She was in the Harry Potter movies and she's on Broadway but she's originally from London so I don't think she counts...LOL

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 4:36pm

I think Idina should stay away from the camera... How about Cynthia Nixon?