Key Points:
- Many once-famous Broadway stars have faded from public memory, despite their contribution to the arts.
- These actors helped define an entire era of theatre.
- The rapidly changing nature of the entertainment industry pushed these incredible talents out of the spotlight.
Broadway has long been home to some of the most talented performers in the world, launching careers and turning actors and singers into household names. Despite their immense talent, many stars who once captivated audiences night after night have since faded from the public spotlight. These actors packed theaters, earned critical acclaim, and heavily contributed to the golden eras of theater.
Over time, changing technology, new generations, and the fast-moving nature of the entertainment industry have caused some of these major names to slip from memory. Nevertheless, their contributions to Broadway remain an important part of performance history. This article allows us to rediscover the voices, characters, and personalities that once dominated the stage.
Ethel Merman
- Acting career lasting over five decades.
- Best known for her performances in “Girl Crazy,” “Anything Goes,” and “Annie Get Your Gun.”
- One of the most sought-after Broadway stars for her powerful mezzo-soprano voice.
Bernadette Peters
- Started her career as a child actress on television.
- Best known for her stage performances in “On the Town,” “Sunday in the Park with George,” and “The Goodbye Girl.”
- Winner of two Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards.
Patti LuPone
- Made her Broadway debut with “Three Sisters” in 1973.
- Best known for performances in “Evita,” “Gypsy,” and “The Robber Bridegroom.”
- Winner of three Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, and two Grammy Awards.
Chita Rivera
- Best known for her performances in “Can-Can” and “Guys and Dolls.”
- Won two Tony Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, and a Drama League Award.
- First Latino American to win a Kennedy Center Honor.
Gwen Verdon
- Made her stage debut in “Show Boat” at 15 years old.
- Best known for her performances in “Damn Yankees,” “Anna Christie” and “Chicago.”
- Married legendary dancer and choreographer Robert Fosse.
Carol Burnett
- Won a Tony Award for her performance in “Once Upon a Mattress.”
- Transitioned to television where her program “The Carol Burnett Show” won five Golden Globe Awards and six Emmy Awards.
- New York Times Best-Selling Author.
Mary Martin
- Best known for her musical performances in “South Pacific,” “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” and “Leave it to Me.”
- Also well known for her role as Maria von Trapp in “The Sound of Music.”
- Won an Emmy Award and several Tony Awards; was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1973.
Michael Crawford
- Began a long and storied career as a child actor but became known for his soprano voice.
- Best known for stage performances in “Barnum” and “The Phantom of the Opera.”
- Winner of two Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, and granted status as Officer of the British Empire.
Mandy Patinkin
- Best known for his performances in “Evita” and “Sunday in the Park with George.”
- Found a second career on screen with roles in “The Princess Bride,” “Dick Tracy,” and “Criminal Minds.”
- Tony Award Winner and recipient of a Golden Globe Award nomination.
Elaine Paige
- Made her professional stage debut in 1964 at 16 years old.
- Best known for her performances in “Evita,” “The King and I,” and “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
- Also released 22 solo albums with multiple certified gold and platinum sellers.
Myrna Loy
- Made her stage debut at twelve years old.
- Best known for her stage performances in “The Women” and “Relatively Speaking.”
- Helped usher in a transition from stage to screen with performances in “The Thin Man,” “Cheaper by the Dozen,” and “Lonelyhearts.”
Maude Nugent
- Famous actress and singer from the Vaudeville era.
- Best known for her performances in “The Thoroughbred,” “The Empire Show,” and “Town Topics.”
- A successful composer who had a second career performing her songs on television in the 1960s.
Carol Channing
- Had an acting career that lasted over seven decades.
- Best known for her performances in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and “Hello, Dolly!”
- Won a Tony Award for “Hello, Dolly!” and received an Academy Award nomination for “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Colm Wilkinson
- Had an early career as a traveling musician before making his acting debut in 1972.
- Best known for his performances in “Les Misérables” and “The Phantom of the Opera.”
- Won several awards including a Helen Hayes Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and Theatre World Award.
Betty Buckley
- Had a storied career from the 1960s to the 21st century.
- Best known for her performances in “Cats,” “Triumph of Love,” and “Sunset Blvd.”
- Tony Award Winner.
- Had a later career as a television actress.
Elaine Stritch
- Made her Broadway debut in 1946 with the comedy “Loco.”
- Best known for her performances in “Bus Stop,” “Sail Away,” and “A Delicate Balance.”
- Won two Emmy Awards and a Tony Award.
- Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1995.
Helen Hayes
- Known as the “First Lady of the American Theater.”
- Made her Broadway stage debut at nine years old.
- Best known for her performances in “Pollyanna” and “Jean and the Calico Cat.”
Madeline Kahn
- Lauded stage actress, but made her name in the film “Blazing Saddles.”
- Best known for “The Cosby Show,” “The Sisters Rosensweig,” and “Paper Moon.”
- Won an Emmy Award and a Tony Award.
Rex Harrison
- Had a 66-year acting career, from stage to screen.
- Best known for his performances in “My Fair Lady,” “George Getting Married,” and “French Without Tears.”
- Won both a Tony Award and an Academy Award.
Zero Mostel
- Student of Don Richardson and his muscle memory acting technique.
- Best known for his performances in “Fiddler on the Roof,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” and Mel Brooks’ “The Producers.”
- Blacklisted during the 1950s Red Scare.
- Three-time Tony Award Winner.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©John Downing / Hulton Archive via Getty Images.