Broadway Stars Who Appeared on NBC's SMASH
Performances of the musical adaptation of SMASH are now underway at the Imperial Theatre.
By: Stephi Wild Apr. 19, 2025
Smash has made it to Broadway! Based on the cult-favorite NBC series, Smash offers a behind-the-scenes look at the passion, rivalries, and heartbreak that fuel Broadway.
As we welcome the show to the stage for the first time, we're taking a look back on the iconic television show that started it all. Countless Broadway names made appearances on the show, from its lead roles, to notable guest stars throughout the show's two seasons.
Take a look back on the Broadway names who appeared on Smash below!
Megan Hilty
Hilty played the role of Ivy Lynn, one of the lead roles in the show, and one of the two stars competing to play the role of Marilyn Monroe in the fictitious musical, Bombshell.
Katharine McPhee
Ivy's competitor is, of course, Karen Cartwright, played by McPhee.
Debra Messing
Screen and stage actor Messing played Julia Houston, a successful Broadway lyricist and Bombshell's co-writer.
Christian Borle
Borle took on the role of Tom Levitt, a theatrical composer and Julia's longtime songwriting partner.
Brian d'Arcy James
d'Arcy James played the role of Frank Houston, Julia's husband and a high-school chemistry teacher.
Leslie Odom, Jr.
Odom, Jr. played Sam Strickland, an ensemble member in Bombshell, and a good friend of Ivy's.
Jeremy Jordan
Jordan played Jimmy Collins, a young songwriter from Brooklyn with a troubled past, and co-writer of the musical Hit List.
Andy Mientus
Mientus played Kyle Bishop, a poor kid from Brooklyn with dreams of writing for Broadway. He co-write Hit List alongside Jimmy.
Krysta Rodriguez
Rodriguez played Ana Vargas, Karen's roommate, who joins the cast of Hit List as "The Diva".
Bernadette Peters
Peters played Ivy's mother, Leigh Conroy. She eventually joins the cast of Bombshell, as the mother of Marilyn Monroe.
Nick Jonas
Jonas took on the role of Lyle West, a former child star who got his start in a show written by Tom and directed by Derek.
Jennifer Hudson
Hudson played the role of Veronica Moore in season 2 of Smash. Moore is a Tony Award-winning Broadway star who has had to pay a price to reach her Broadway dream.
Will Chase
Chase played Michael Swift, a musical theatre star and Julia's old flame, cast in Bombshell in the role of Joe DiMaggio.
Other Recurring Characters:
Ann Harada - Linda, the stage manager of Bombshell.
Annaleigh Ashford - Lisa McMann, a failed actress and frenemy of Ivy and Sam.
Wesley Taylor - Bobby, a Bombshell ensemble member and friend of Ivy and later, Karen.
Jesse L. Martin - Scott Nichols, artistic director of the Manhattan Theatre Workshop who has a brief relationship with Julia and helps Hit List take off.
Nikki Blonsky - Margot, Jerry Rand's assistant in the second season.
Daphne Rubin-Vega - Agnes, Eileen Rand's publicist in the second season.
Michele Federer - Monica Swift, Michael's estranged-wife, who left him after she found out about Michael and Julia.
Becky Ann Baker - Mrs. Cartwright, Karen's mother.
Dylan Baker - Roger Cartwright, Karen's father.
Montego Glover - Marissa, a stage manager.
Phillipa Soo - Lexi, an actress in the second season.
Sean Hayes - Terry Falls, a famous television actor making his Broadway debut in Liasons.
Veanne Cox - an actress starring in Liasons.
Daniel Sunjata - Peter Gilman, a writer who helps Julia make revisions to Bombshell.
Mara Davi - Daisy Parker, an actress in the secons season.
