Most intelligent broadway actor

[binau]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 7:20pm

(I hope this spawns parody threads, hopefully sexual in nature).

But. I think when we see actors in shows, because they are rehearsing memorised lines it can be difficult to know how intelligent they are. It is when they are put on the spot in interviews and through their non-rehearsed humour etc.. that we can somewhat gauge their intelligence I think.

For example, I get the impression from interviews etc. that Patti LuPone is quite intelligent and Bernadette Peters (who I adore) not quite as much.

Now, I know we could argue why does it matter or what is intelligence (and if you want to, feel free), but I am interested to know which actors "got it" and which actors "aint".

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 7:26pm

I have heard Bebe Neuwirth is pretty smart. I've never gotten the vibe Patti was that smart. I mean certainly not dumb but not smart,

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 7:38pm

I've always felt that Peters knew what she was talking about. Never really got the feeling she wasn't all there haha

I think Raul Esparza is extremely smart along with Julia Murney.

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 7:41pm

Angela Lansbury has always seemed very intelligent to me.

[broadwaybabytn]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 8:50pm

Marc Kudisch has always seemed incredibly smart to me, as has Donna Murphy.

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 8:56pm

I agree with Julia Murney. I've never met her, but I've seen her in rehearsals, and she seems very intelligent.

Bobby Steggert is also very smart.

[singtopher]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 9:28pm

I've found that the most capable actors are either highly intelligent or highly bat-sh!t crazy. Whatever gets a good show, i say.

[random person 112]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 9:55pm

I know just as facts that Kristin Chenoweth graduated the top of her class in high school and has a doctorate (in opera.). Patti has stated that she never even passed her Algebra one class in high school.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 10:06pm

Boyd Gaines

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 10:24pm

Patti has stated that she never even passed her Algebra one class in high school.

I would think that she was either lazy, didn't have a mind for math, or both. I think she comes across as very insightful when she is interviewed and is very articulate. But I'm also biased.


But I second Marc Kudisch, especially after seeing him on Obsessed! with Seth Rudetsky.

[Pippin]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 10:26pm

BKLYN!!!!

[random person 112]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 10:42pm

^Oh i'm not saying she's an idiot, on music and theater i doubt you could find anyone with more insight and intelligence, merely reporting the facts.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 11:08pm

The Donahues from "There's no Business Like Show Business"

Molly Donahue: [speaking of their children] I want them to have an education... a real education. They have to learn arithmetic and spelling and geography.

Terence Donahue: You never went past the sixth grade... and it was probably the fourth grade, because you said it was the sixth.

Molly Donahue: My age is the only thing I lie about, and I don't add on, I take off.

Terence Donahue: All right, the sixth grade, but there's nothing wrong with your arithmetic. You can whistle 'Mandy', do an 'Off to Buffalo', and count the house at the same time, and tell me within five cents how much is out there.

Molly Donahue: That's not arithmetic.

Terence Donahue: You're darn right that's not... that's higher mathematics.

[PurpleFanta]

Posted: 3/12/12 at 11:40pm

Katie Finneran, Laura Linney and Lily Rabe always come across as pretty smart people.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 3/13/12 at 12:20am

I know she can go off the rails sometimes but Alice Ripley can be very insightful. Tonya Pinkins, too.

[sparrman]

Posted: 3/13/12 at 12:24am

Chenoweth earned an MFA in opera, but her doctorate is only honorary.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 3/13/12 at 3:23am

Nathan Lane.

[BroadwayFan12]

Posted: 3/13/12 at 5:31am

I've found that the most capable actors are either highly intelligent or highly bat-sh!t crazy.

Alice Ripley is both, IMO. As eccentric as she is, I've always admired her intelligence. She was the first person I thought of when I saw this thread.

[followspot]

Posted: 3/13/12 at 8:07am

For some reason the first person I thought of was Kevin Kline. Have nothing to back that thought up. Maybe he's hypnotized me.

[lupone76]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 12:34pm

Patti does come across as very passionate and intelligent and articulate. Really surprised bout Chenoweth she gives off an air head vibe. Lin Manuel Miranda appears to be quite intelligent. Stephen Sondheim is not an actor but hes BRILLIANT!!!Bernadette doesnt seem to be too bright. She never really looks like she knows what shes saying. After meeting Bebe in person I can tell you shes not a rocket scientist. Harvey Fierstein is quite bright. Cynthia Nixon is extreemely intelligent without a doubt.

Updated On: 3/14/12 at 12:34 PM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 1:08pm

For some reason the first person I thought of was Kevin Kline. Have nothing to back that thought up. Maybe he's hypnotized me.

I think it's both, because every time I see him interviewed I think "you're an asshole but I would have sex with you anyway." He's very hypnotic.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 2:06pm

Deborah Yates (the girl in the yellow dress) from Contact is a member of MENSA. She has only done one other Broadway show, though.

[Miranda3]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 10:20pm

Alan Rickman.
Stockard Channing.
Rosemary Harris.
Jennifer Ehle (RH's daughter).

[Emma White]

Posted: 2/24/13 at 9:14pm

Kristin Chenoweth has said herself she's not so smart.

Stephanie J. Block has always come off as very smart, as well as Julie Andrews (despite being a high school dropout).

Speaking of high school dropouts, Catherine Zeta-Jones doesn't seem so bright to me (I'm in love with her though).

In response to what people are saying about Bernadette, I personally think she's actually pretty bright. Her voice, her accent, and her lisp make her seem a little ditsy, but a few people I know who know her have said that she is very, very shy and doesn't really like giving interviews, so that might be it.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 2/24/13 at 9:23pm

Bebe is brilliant. She went to Princeton High School.