Al Roker debuted in Waitress! He said, “It’s kind of like what we do on The Today Show, in that it’s an ensemble. It’s a family. And this is me trying something new for the first time, so you don’t know what to expect.”
Here are 22 surprising celebs who’ve made their Broadway debuts:
1. TikToker Charli D’Amelio is set to make her Broadway debut as Charmian — an ensemble role that’s dance-heavy — in & Juliet on October 29, 2024.

2. In 2020, Sabrina Carpenter made her Broadway debut as Cady Heron in Mean Girls: The Musical. Sadly, after only two performances, the show was shut down because of the coronavirus.

3. In 2020, influencer Cameron Dallas debuted as Aaron Samuels in a limited four-week run in Mean Girls: The Musical.
4. In 2014, Keke Palmer was cast as Ella in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, making her the first Black actor to play Cinderella on Broadway.

5. Alongside Keke, The View co-host Sherri Shepherd made her debut as Madame in Cinderella.

6. In 2009, Will Ferrell wrote and starred as George W. Bush in You’re Welcome America.

7. The Today Show co-host Al Roker made his debut as Joe in Waitress in 2018.

8. In 2015, Bruce Willis debuted as Paul Sheldon in Misery, which is based on the Stephen King novel.

9. Panic! at the Disco frontman Brendan Urie debuted as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots in 2017.

10. Fran Drescher made her debut as Madame in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella in 2014.

11. Alongside Fran, Carly Rae Jepsen debuted as Ella in Cinderella.

12. Mario Lopez debuted as Zach in A Chorus Line in 2008.

13. In 2013, Wendy Williams made her Broadway debut as Matron “Mama” Morton in Chicago.

14. In 2010, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong debuted as St. Jimmy in American Idiot, the musical based on his band’s concept album.

15. Bily Ray Cyrus debuted as Billy Flynn in Chicago in 2012.

16. Rosie O’Donnell made her Broadway debut as Rizzo in the 1994 Grease revival.

17. John Stamos made his Broadway as J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 1995. Since then, he’s gone on to be in several other productions.

18. Jordin Sparks has been on Broadway twice. In 2008, she debuted as Nina in In The Heights, and in 2016, she starred as Jenna in Waitress.

19. In 2022, Pamela Anderson debuted as Roxie Hart in Chicago.

20. Jason Mraz debuted as Dr. Pomatter in Waitress in 2017.

21. In 2009, Ashlee Simpson debuted as Roxie Hart in Chicago.

22. And finally, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber debuted as Don in Kinky Boots in 2019.
