21 Celebrities You Might Not Know Starred inWicked, from Sheryl Lee Ralph to Rue McClanahan

Mar. 15, 2025

From left: Joey McIntyre, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Rue McClanahan.Photo:Bruce Glikas/Getty; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty; Will Ragozzino/Getty

Bruce Glikas/Getty; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty; Will Ragozzino/Getty

But in the show’s long history — not only in New York City but also around the country and in London — dozens of actors and actresses have stepped into the lead roles. Some of those cast members — like theGolden Girls’ Rue McClanahan,Abbott Elementary’sSheryl Lee Ralphand Ben Vereen — were already stars when they joined the show. Others — including Megan Hilty, Aaron Tveit and Adam Lambert — scored the parts toward the beginnings of their careers.

Ahead, revisit some of the stars you might not know have visited Oz inWicked.

01of 21Sheryl Lee RalphSheryl Lee Ralph at the ‘Wicked’ film premiere in 2024.Gilbert Flores/Variety via GettySheryl Lee Ralph, 67, first found acclaim in Broadway’sDreamgirlsin 1981. In 2016, she stepped intoWickedin the role of Shiz headmistress Madame Morrible. She honored her time in the show this November when sheattended one of the movie’s premieresand connected with Michelle Yeoh, who plays the character on the big screen.Back in 2017, Ralph called the musical’s script “so doggone relevant” when speaking toNew York Theatre Guide. “In times like these, when so many are confused, the best unifier is to give them someone to hate,” she said. “And then the green girl is so smart, so talented and so prepared and the only reason they hate her and call her wicked is because she is green.”

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Sheryl Lee Ralph

Sheryl Lee Ralph at the ‘Wicked’ film premiere in 2024.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Sheryl Lee Ralph, 67, first found acclaim in Broadway’sDreamgirlsin 1981. In 2016, she stepped intoWickedin the role of Shiz headmistress Madame Morrible. She honored her time in the show this November when sheattended one of the movie’s premieresand connected with Michelle Yeoh, who plays the character on the big screen.

Back in 2017, Ralph called the musical’s script “so doggone relevant” when speaking toNew York Theatre Guide. “In times like these, when so many are confused, the best unifier is to give them someone to hate,” she said. “And then the green girl is so smart, so talented and so prepared and the only reason they hate her and call her wicked is because she is green.”

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Rue McClanahan

Rue McClanahan in 2009.Will Ragozzino/Getty

Rue McClanahan, whodied in 2010 at the age of 76, appeared on Broadway many times before she joinedWickedin 2005 as Madame Morrible. “It’s nice to go into a huge hit that’s already running,” she toldBroadway.comat the time.

03of 21Taye DiggsTaye Diggs in 2024.Leon Bennett/GettyWhen originalWickedBroadway actorNorbert Leo Butz— who played Fiyero — was briefly absent from the show at the end of 2003 into January 2004, Taye Diggs, now 53, stepped into the role opposite his then-wifeIdina Menzel, who was starring as Elphaba.

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Taye Diggs

Taye Diggs in 2024.Leon Bennett/Getty

Leon Bennett/Getty

When originalWickedBroadway actorNorbert Leo Butz— who played Fiyero — was briefly absent from the show at the end of 2003 into January 2004, Taye Diggs, now 53, stepped into the role opposite his then-wifeIdina Menzel, who was starring as Elphaba.

04of 21Ben VereenBen Vereen in 2022.Leon Bennett/GettyBen Vereen, 78, was already a Tony winner and Emmy nominee when he joinedWickedas the Wizard in 2005. “My good buddy [Stephen Schwartz] called me and said, ‘I want you to do this for me,’ ” theRootsstar toldPlaybillof the musical’s creator in 2017. “That show has a life of its own.” He told the outlet he loved inhabiting the “magic of the man.“Jeff Goldblumplays the Wizard in the film.

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Ben Vereen

Ben Vereen in 2022.Leon Bennett/Getty

Ben Vereen, 78, was already a Tony winner and Emmy nominee when he joinedWickedas the Wizard in 2005. “My good buddy [Stephen Schwartz] called me and said, ‘I want you to do this for me,’ ” theRootsstar toldPlaybillof the musical’s creator in 2017. “That show has a life of its own.” He told the outlet he loved inhabiting the “magic of the man.”

Jeff Goldblumplays the Wizard in the film.

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Annaleigh Ashford

Annaleigh Ashford in 2024.Anna Webber/Variety via Getty

Anna Webber/Variety via Getty

06of 21Ana GasteyerAna Gasteyer in 2023.Amy Sussman/GettyComedian Ana Gasteyer, 57, might be best known for her work inSaturday Night Live,SuburgatoryandMean Girls, but she also has serious musical theater chops. She joined the Chicago production ofWickedas Elphaba in 2005, and in 2006 she moved to the Broadway production.Speaking toBroadway Worldin 2016, she said thatWickedandSNLwere both “grueling” butWickedwas a “physical grind.”She remembered in a recent interview, “They asked what I remember about Elphaba and I was like, ‘Oh my God, it was so exhausting,’ and that’s like all I could remember. And then I felt really guilty and contrite afterwards like I shouldn’t have said that. And then I opened up the interview to read it, and every single Elphaba was like, ‘Oh my God, it was so f—ing exhausting.’ The common theme of that experience is how grueling it is physically … You’re just not meant to sing that show eight times a week, and managing that becomes your full-time job, as opposed to playing the role.” Gasteyer appeared on Broadway in 2024 inOnce Upon a Mattress.

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Ana Gasteyer

Ana Gasteyer in 2023.Amy Sussman/Getty

Amy Sussman/Getty

Comedian Ana Gasteyer, 57, might be best known for her work inSaturday Night Live,SuburgatoryandMean Girls, but she also has serious musical theater chops. She joined the Chicago production ofWickedas Elphaba in 2005, and in 2006 she moved to the Broadway production.

Speaking toBroadway Worldin 2016, she said thatWickedandSNLwere both “grueling” butWickedwas a “physical grind.”

She remembered in a recent interview, “They asked what I remember about Elphaba and I was like, ‘Oh my God, it was so exhausting,’ and that’s like all I could remember. And then I felt really guilty and contrite afterwards like I shouldn’t have said that. And then I opened up the interview to read it, and every single Elphaba was like, ‘Oh my God, it was so f—ing exhausting.’ The common theme of that experience is how grueling it is physically … You’re just not meant to sing that show eight times a week, and managing that becomes your full-time job, as opposed to playing the role.” Gasteyer appeared on Broadway in 2024 inOnce Upon a Mattress.

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Aaron Tveit

Aaron Tveit in 2021.Jenny Anderson/Getty

08of 21Miriam MargolyesMiriam Margolyes in 2018.Simon Schluter/Fairfax Media via GettyMiriam Margolyes, 83, might be best known in the United States for playing Pomona Sprout in theHarry Potterfilms, but she’s also a celebrated theater actress who’s performed widely in the U.K. In 2006, she portrayed Madame Morrible whenWickedopened on the West End. She also performed the role on Broadway in 2008.

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Miriam Margolyes

Miriam Margolyes in 2018.Simon Schluter/Fairfax Media via Getty

Simon Schluter/Fairfax Media via Getty

Miriam Margolyes, 83, might be best known in the United States for playing Pomona Sprout in theHarry Potterfilms, but she’s also a celebrated theater actress who’s performed widely in the U.K. In 2006, she portrayed Madame Morrible whenWickedopened on the West End. She also performed the role on Broadway in 2008.

09of 21Carol KaneCarol Kane in 2019.Rachel Luna/GettyOscar nomineeCarol Kane, 72, has stepped into Madame Morrible’s shoes many times. On Broadway, she joined the company in 2006 and again in 2013. She also performed the role on the first national tour and in San Francisco and Los Angeles. “I love that part,” she toldVulturein 2021 when discussing the possibility of a film adaptation.“What’s so genius about the musical onstage is that they’ve been able to create this complete fantasy world so thoroughly. The sets and the costumes and the special effects, the … automation,” theUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidtstar said. “And the lighting and smoke and all of that conspires to feel even more fantasy-like than a movie. AndThe Wizard of Ozto me is the most magical of those fantasy movies still. It was made so long ago, before they had any of the special effects that they have now, before CGI or green screen, and yet it takes you to another world. And the musical ofWickeddoes that."

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Carol Kane

Carol Kane in 2019.Rachel Luna/Getty

Rachel Luna/Getty

Oscar nomineeCarol Kane, 72, has stepped into Madame Morrible’s shoes many times. On Broadway, she joined the company in 2006 and again in 2013. She also performed the role on the first national tour and in San Francisco and Los Angeles. “I love that part,” she toldVulturein 2021 when discussing the possibility of a film adaptation.

“What’s so genius about the musical onstage is that they’ve been able to create this complete fantasy world so thoroughly. The sets and the costumes and the special effects, the … automation,” theUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidtstar said. “And the lighting and smoke and all of that conspires to feel even more fantasy-like than a movie. AndThe Wizard of Ozto me is the most magical of those fantasy movies still. It was made so long ago, before they had any of the special effects that they have now, before CGI or green screen, and yet it takes you to another world. And the musical ofWickeddoes that."

10of 21Joey McIntyreJoey McIntyre in 2024.Gary Gershoff/GettyJoey McIntyre, 51, replaced Butz as Fiyero in 2004. The New Kids on the Block member toldBroadway.comin 2004 that acting with Menzel and Jennifer Laura Thompson (who then played Glinda), “It’s like sparring every night with two heavyweights. You have to be on your game and you are always learning and discovering and getting better. And hopefully, you don’t get knocked out.”“The best part about it is getting to work with so many talented, funny, passionate people and sharing the experience with them,” he added. “I don’t think there is a better place for that than Broadway.” McIntyre later returned to Broadway inWaitressand appeared in other musicals around the country. In 2024, he appeared Off-Broadway inDrag: The Musical.

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Joey McIntyre

Joey McIntyre in 2024.Gary Gershoff/Getty

Gary Gershoff/Getty

Joey McIntyre, 51, replaced Butz as Fiyero in 2004. The New Kids on the Block member toldBroadway.comin 2004 that acting with Menzel and Jennifer Laura Thompson (who then played Glinda), “It’s like sparring every night with two heavyweights. You have to be on your game and you are always learning and discovering and getting better. And hopefully, you don’t get knocked out.”

“The best part about it is getting to work with so many talented, funny, passionate people and sharing the experience with them,” he added. “I don’t think there is a better place for that than Broadway.” McIntyre later returned to Broadway inWaitressand appeared in other musicals around the country. In 2024, he appeared Off-Broadway inDrag: The Musical.

11of 21Adam LambertAdam Lambert in 2024.Bruce Glikas/GettyBefore he auditioned forAmerican Idol,Adam Lambert, 42, was focused primarily on theater in Los Angeles. “And I always thought, ‘Oh, one of these days I’m going to move to New York. One of these days when I have the right gig, I’m going,' ” he toldPaper Magazinein 2024. “And I was waiting for something to take me. And then I did the national tour ofWicked, and I got to rehearse here in New York. It was a Broadway production, even though it was a tour, and it was rehearsing with a Broadway-caliber creative team and all that. So I was like, ‘Oh, this is pretty much the same thing. I’ve sort of made it to Broadway.’ ” Lambert was in the ensemble and understudied Fiyero.“I did that for a while, and thenIdolhappened. I felt like I took that fork in the road and it’s been amazing,” he explained. But in 2024 he madehis Broadway debut at the emcee inCabaret.

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Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert in 2024.Bruce Glikas/Getty

Bruce Glikas/Getty

Before he auditioned forAmerican Idol,Adam Lambert, 42, was focused primarily on theater in Los Angeles. “And I always thought, ‘Oh, one of these days I’m going to move to New York. One of these days when I have the right gig, I’m going,' ” he toldPaper Magazinein 2024. “And I was waiting for something to take me. And then I did the national tour ofWicked, and I got to rehearse here in New York. It was a Broadway production, even though it was a tour, and it was rehearsing with a Broadway-caliber creative team and all that. So I was like, ‘Oh, this is pretty much the same thing. I’ve sort of made it to Broadway.’ ” Lambert was in the ensemble and understudied Fiyero.

“I did that for a while, and thenIdolhappened. I felt like I took that fork in the road and it’s been amazing,” he explained. But in 2024 he madehis Broadway debut at the emcee inCabaret.

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Clifton Davis

Clifton Davis in 2022.Dave Kotinsky/Getty

Dave Kotinsky/Getty

“It was screaming joy coming from our audience. From the very first note to the very last note — they loved it,” he said. He also said it reminded him of the opening night of his first musical: 1964’sHello, Dolly!

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Megan Hilty

Megan Hilty in 2023.Santiago Felipe/Getty

Santiago Felipe/Getty

“That was one of the scariest things that I’ve ever done because I was right out of college,” Hilty toldThe Oklahomanin 2019. “[Kristin] Chenoweth set the bar as high as you could possibly go for that role, so for anybody who was following in her footsteps, it was an incredibly daunting experience.”

Hilty found new fans when she starred inSmash, and she’s currently back on Broadway inDeath Becomes Her.

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Patty Duke

Patty Duke, who died in 2016 at the age of 69, was best known for playing Helen Keller in the 1962 filmThe Miracle Workerand for starring in her own eponymous sitcom. She appeared on Broadway three times, and in 2009 she played Madame Morrible in the San Francisco production ofWicked.

“I’ve only played the villain twice, I think, so for me, it’s a nice change,” she toldEast Bay Timesin 2009 about her role. Of her casting, she told the outlet she was a little unclear. “You don’t decide to do it,” she said. “Someone decides they want you to do it, then you get the call. How they decide, you never know.”

15of 21Heléne YorkeHeléne Yorke in 2019.Dia Dipasupil/GettyHeléne Yorke, 39, is perhaps best known for her hilarious role onThe Other Two, but she toldTheaterManiain 2021 that she didn’t even realize she was a talented comedian until she was playing Glinda on the national tour back in 2009.“We were in Birmingham, Alabama. I’d settled into the show at that point, and I was messing up, but I could feel the whole audience buckling over laughing so hard,” she remembered. “It’s the moment where Glinda’s wand doesn’t work. I was cleaning it on my skirt, and then the wand went into my crotch, and I said, ‘Well, it’s gonna work now.’ Birmingham, Alabama, lost it!”Yorke also revealed in a 2023 interview forInterview Magazinethat she auditioned for theWickedmovie. “And I was like, ‘They’re not going to cast me,’ " she remembered.

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Heléne Yorke

Heléne Yorke in 2019.Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Heléne Yorke, 39, is perhaps best known for her hilarious role onThe Other Two, but she toldTheaterManiain 2021 that she didn’t even realize she was a talented comedian until she was playing Glinda on the national tour back in 2009.

“We were in Birmingham, Alabama. I’d settled into the show at that point, and I was messing up, but I could feel the whole audience buckling over laughing so hard,” she remembered. “It’s the moment where Glinda’s wand doesn’t work. I was cleaning it on my skirt, and then the wand went into my crotch, and I said, ‘Well, it’s gonna work now.’ Birmingham, Alabama, lost it!”

Yorke also revealed in a 2023 interview forInterview Magazinethat she auditioned for theWickedmovie. “And I was like, ‘They’re not going to cast me,’ " she remembered.

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Jenna Leigh Green

Jenna Leigh Green in 2022.Eugene Gologursky/Getty

Eugene Gologursky/Getty

“I truly loved getting to tour the country withWicked,” she toldBroadway Wizin 2016. “We were bringing the show, for the first time to cities across the nation, as well as Canada and the response was overwhelming and insane. It’s my only touring experience and I doubt anything would ever be able to top it.”

“Obviously coming back to N.Y.C. was a dream come true, as was opening the show in my hometown of Los Angeles,” she added. “Getting to live my dream and knowing my friends and family were close enough to come was like coming home in the best way possible. What more could one ask for!?”

17of 21Patti MurinPatti Murin in 2023.Cindy Ord/GettyYou’ll recognize Patti Murin, 44, from her time onChicago Med, but she got her start in musical theater. In 2012, she played Glinda on the national tour. But at the time, she was thinking of leaving the theater. She had just filmed a pilot that CBS passed on. “Pretty much right after that,Wickedcalled and I was like, ‘I could go back to theater and do a show that people might come and see!' ” she toldBroadway.comin 2012.“I can’t believe someone is letting me have this much fun,” she added of the show. “[Elphaba and Glinda] are two of the most fantastically written female parts in all of musical theater. It’s a wonderful look at these two women and their complex relationship.” Murin laterplayed Princess Anna inFrozenon Broadway.

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Patti Murin

Patti Murin in 2023.Cindy Ord/Getty

Cindy Ord/Getty

You’ll recognize Patti Murin, 44, from her time onChicago Med, but she got her start in musical theater. In 2012, she played Glinda on the national tour. But at the time, she was thinking of leaving the theater. She had just filmed a pilot that CBS passed on. “Pretty much right after that,Wickedcalled and I was like, ‘I could go back to theater and do a show that people might come and see!' ” she toldBroadway.comin 2012.

“I can’t believe someone is letting me have this much fun,” she added of the show. “[Elphaba and Glinda] are two of the most fantastically written female parts in all of musical theater. It’s a wonderful look at these two women and their complex relationship.” Murin laterplayed Princess Anna inFrozenon Broadway.

18of 21Rondi ReedRondi Reed in 2015.Alberto E. Rodriguez/GettyRondi Reed, known for her Tony-winning performance inAugust: Osage Countyas well as CBS’sMike & Molly, stepped into Madame Morrible’s shoes on Broadway (twice) and on tour. “The first thing I did when I got cast was I went out and boughtthe bookWicked,” the 72-year-old toldPlaybillin 2017. “And there’s a lot of backstory in there about Morrible that is not in the show, but it informs a lot.”Reed was known mostly for her dramatic acting beforeWicked. “My big dreamy dream, as I said to my agent in Chicago who laughed at me in the face, was being in a big Broadway musical,” she toldPlaybill. “And it doesn’t get any bigger than this, really.”

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Rondi Reed

Rondi Reed in 2015.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Rondi Reed, known for her Tony-winning performance inAugust: Osage Countyas well as CBS’sMike & Molly, stepped into Madame Morrible’s shoes on Broadway (twice) and on tour. “The first thing I did when I got cast was I went out and boughtthe bookWicked,” the 72-year-old toldPlaybillin 2017. “And there’s a lot of backstory in there about Morrible that is not in the show, but it informs a lot.”

Reed was known mostly for her dramatic acting beforeWicked. “My big dreamy dream, as I said to my agent in Chicago who laughed at me in the face, was being in a big Broadway musical,” she toldPlaybill. “And it doesn’t get any bigger than this, really.”

19of 21Sebastian ArcelusSebastian Arcelus in 2023.Unique Nicole/GettySebastian Arcelus — known for roles onMadam SecretaryandHouse of Cards— played Fiyero on tour before joining the show on Broadway in 2007. And his casting changed his life. Opposite him inWickedas Elphaba was Stephanie J. Block (who had first played the role in workshops before Menzel was cast).Arcelus, 48, and Block, 52, fell in loveand married. They also starred opposite each other again inInto the Woodsin 2022.

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Sebastian Arcelus

Sebastian Arcelus in 2023.Unique Nicole/Getty

Unique Nicole/Getty

Sebastian Arcelus — known for roles onMadam SecretaryandHouse of Cards— played Fiyero on tour before joining the show on Broadway in 2007. And his casting changed his life. Opposite him inWickedas Elphaba was Stephanie J. Block (who had first played the role in workshops before Menzel was cast).Arcelus, 48, and Block, 52, fell in loveand married. They also starred opposite each other again inInto the Woodsin 2022.

20of 21Justin GuariniJustin Guarini in 2024.Dia Dipasupil/GettyJustin Guarini, 46, will always be most known for finishing second to Kelly Clarkson in the first season ofAmerican Idol, but he’s also appeared on Broadway multiple times. He toldTheaterManiain 2014 that he got cast as Fiyero inWickedafter the show’s director saw him inRomeo and Julieton Broadway in 2013.“I’ve been sort of spoiled at certain points in my life, and in considering Fiyero I imagine how that old version of me would behave if somebody, like Elphaba, woke me up after I had been out partying all night and started yelling at me,” he told the outlet about his approach to the role. “I try to find my own wacky sense of humor and physical comedy. I get to go to the darker, more serious side of who I am, and show two facets of my personality.”

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Justin Guarini

Justin Guarini in 2024.Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Justin Guarini, 46, will always be most known for finishing second to Kelly Clarkson in the first season ofAmerican Idol, but he’s also appeared on Broadway multiple times. He toldTheaterManiain 2014 that he got cast as Fiyero inWickedafter the show’s director saw him inRomeo and Julieton Broadway in 2013.

“I’ve been sort of spoiled at certain points in my life, and in considering Fiyero I imagine how that old version of me would behave if somebody, like Elphaba, woke me up after I had been out partying all night and started yelling at me,” he told the outlet about his approach to the role. “I try to find my own wacky sense of humor and physical comedy. I get to go to the darker, more serious side of who I am, and show two facets of my personality.”

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Ashley Parker Angel

Ashley Parker Angel (center) in ‘Wicked’.Amanda Jane Cooper/Facebook

Amanda Jane Cooper/Facebook

FormerO-Townmember Ashley Parker Angel, 43, stepped into Fiyero’s iconic boots in 2017. He toldBroadway.comin 2017 that he had first dreamed of being in the show a decade earlier, when he starred as Link Larkin inHairspray. “When my agent called [about doing the show], I jumped at the chance,” he said.

source: people.com