HAIRSPRAY Original Broadway Cast: Where Are They Now?
The original cast of Hairspray featured Marissa Jaret Winokur, Laura Bell Bundy, Matthew Morrison, Harvey Fierstein, Kerry Butler and more.
It’s… Hairspray! The musical took Broadway by storm in 2002 and went on to win eight 2003 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The original cast featured a lineup of stage and screen stars, including Marissa Jaret Winokur, Matthew Morrison, Harvey Fierstein, and more. Now, more than two decades later, BroadwayWorld is taking a look back at what the cast of this beloved musical has been up to since the show first graced the Broadway stage!
Marissa Jaret Winokur
Marissa Jaret Winokur originated the role of Tracy Turnblad in the Broadway production of Hairspray, earning the 2003 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, along with the Drama Desk, Theatre World, and Outer Critics Circle Awards!
Following Hairspray, Winokur turned her attentions mostly to film and TV! Her film credits include Fever Pitch, Muffin Top: A Love Story, Feel the Beat, and Santa Bootcamp. On television, she served as a co-host on the daily daytime talk show The Talk, co-starred opposite Pamela Anderson in the sitcom Stacked, and appeared in series such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Melissa & Joey, Crashing, A Million Little Things, and What We Do in the Shadows. She also competed on Dancing with the Stars (Season 6), placing in the semi-finals! Winokur revisited the world of Hairspray for the Hollywood Bowl production in 2011, and in NBC’s live television production Hairspray Live! in 2016.
In recent years, she returned to the New York stage in the Off-Broadway premieres of Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now! (2024), reuniting with Hairspray co-stars Laura Bell Bundy, and Kerry Butler! She also recently starred in Bat Boy (2025) Off-Broadway.
Laura Bell Bundy
Laura Bell Bundy made her Broadway debut in Hairspray, originating the role of Amber Von Tussle! Following Hairspray, Bundy went on to join Wicked on Broadway as the Glinda standby, and the starred as the original Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical, which earned her a Tony nomination!
Laura Bell Bundy has appeared in over 100 hundred episodes of Television, including roles on Perfect Harmony, Good Behavior, American Gods, How I Met Your Mother, The Guest Book, Angie Tribeca, Idiotsitter, Hart of Dixie, Fuller House, Documentary Now, AJ & The Queen, and Anger Management, and more. Film appearances include Dream Girls, Jumanji, Life With Mikey, Adventures of Huck Finn, After The Reality, and the award-winning Beauty Mark among others.
Laura Bell has toured in concert worldwide since 2010. She's penned hundreds of songs as an EMI/Sony songwriter (2009-2016) including her Universal Records album, Achin’ & Shakin’ which debuted on Billboard’s Top 5 Country Music Chart, and has a gold record in Norway. She was nominated for CMT Breakout Video for Giddy On Up. Her Big Machine album “Another Piece Of Me” received rave reviews in 2015 with all four music videos written, directed, & produced by Bundy. Her music has been featured in several video games including Just Dance 3, Just Dance Now, and Guitar Hero.
In 2018, Laura Bell wrote and directed music/comedy videos for a Barefoot Wine campaign featuring Anna Ferris, Tituss Burgess, Cecily Strong, Chrissie Fit, and Yvonne Orji.
Laura Bell was the director/creator of Double Standards at The Town Hall in 2017, a sold-out concert for the advancement of women featuring Broadway stars, comedians, and pop artists including Sara Bareilles and Rosie O’Donnell. Double Standards was later founded as a charitable organization to benefit and empower women. Laura Bell is the creator, composer and lyricist for Netflix’s “Mashville”.
Recently, Bundy starred on Broadway in The Cottage, reunited with her Hairspray co-stars Marissa Jaret Winokur and Kerry Butler in the Off-Broadway production of Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now!, and starred in the Off-Broadway premiere of Romy & Michele: The Musical.
Matthew Morrison
Matthew Morrison originated the role of Link Larkin in Hairspray on Broadway (2002–2004). In 2005, he starred as Fabrizio Nacarelli in The Light in the Piazza on Broadway and received a Tony Award nomination.
Morrison guest-starred on multiple television series including Ghost Whisperer, Numb3rs, CSI: Miami, and Hack, and appeared in the films Marci X (2003), Dan in Real Life (2007), and Music and Lyrics (2007). He appeared in the ABC television production Once Upon a Mattress (2005). In 2007, he appeared Off-Broadway in 10 Million Miles. He played Lieutenant Cable in South Pacific at Lincoln Center (2008).
From 2009 to 2015, Morrison starred as Will Schuester on the Fox television series Glee, and made his directing debut during the series’ third season. He released his debut studio album, Matthew Morrison, in 2011, followed by Where It All Began in 2013. In 2012, he appeared in the stage production 8. A filmed concert aired on PBS in 2013.
Morrison returned to Broadway as J.M. Barrie in Finding Neverland (2015). He appeared with The New York Pops in concert in 2016. From 2019 to 2020, he served as a dance captain on BBC One’s The Greatest Dancer and appeared in American Horror Story: 1984 (2019). In 2020, he starred as the title character in NBC’s Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical Live!.
In 2022, Morrison was announced as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance. In 2023, he starred in the television film A Paris Christmas Waltz and the independent film From Embers. In 2024, he played Billy Flynn in Chicago during a limited engagement in Japan.
Morrison will return to Broadway as Bobby Darrin in Just In Time. He will play a strictly limited 3-week engagement beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Circle in the Square Theatre.
Harvey Fierstein
Theatre icon Harvey Fierstein originated the role of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray on Broadway, earning the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
Following Hairspray on Broadway Fierstein replaced Alfred Molina as Tevye in the 2004 revival of Fiddler on the Roof. In 2007, Fierstein wrote the book to the musical A Catered Affair and starred in the production on Broadway. It received 12 Drama Desk Award nominations and won the Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Musical.
Fierstein went on to revisit the role of Tevye, replacing Chaim Topol in the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof in 2009. In 2011, Fierstein replaced Douglas Hodge as Albin/Zaza in the Broadway revival of La Cage aux Folles (Fierstein won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for La Cage aux Folles for the original production, in 1983).
Fierstein received another Tony Award nomination for Book of a Musical for the Broadway musical Newsies in 2012. Fierstein wrote the book the Broadway musical Kinky Boots with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. The musical was nominated for thirteen 2013 Tony Awards and won six, including best musical. Fierstein's play Casa Valentina was produced on Broadway by the Manhattan Theatre Club at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in 2014.
Fierstein wrote the teleplay for the December 3, 2015, NBC broadcast of The Wiz Live!. Fierstein then wrote the teleplay for, and starred in, the 2016 NBC TV broadcast of Hairspray Live!.
In April 2016, Fierstein, along with his Kinky Boots collaborator Cyndi Lauper, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Fierstein wrote and starred in Bella Bella, a solo monologue play about New York Congresswoman Bella Abzug, which premiered at Manhattan Theatre Club in 2019.
Fierstein's book I Was Better Last Night: A Memoir was released on March 1, 2022, and became a New York Times Bestseller.
Kerry Butler
Kerry Butler originated the role of Penny Pingleton in Hairspray (2002), earning Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations as well as a Clarence Derwent Award. She went on to star as Audrey in the Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors (2003–2004) and received a Tony nomination for her performance in Xanadu (2007–2008).
Her Broadway credits also include Rock of Ages (2009), Catch Me If You Can (2011; Drama Desk nomination), Disaster! (2016), Mean Girls (2018), and Beetlejuice (2019–2020; 2022), in which she played Barbara Maitland in both the original production and its return engagement. She has also appeared in numerous Off-Broadway and regional productions, including Clinton: The Musical (2015), The Call (2013), Under My Skin (2014), Big (2014), Heathers: The Musical (2025–2026), and Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now! (2024), in which she reunited with her Hairspray co-stars Marisa Jaret Winokur and Laura Bell Bundy.
On screen, Butler appeared as Claudia Reston on One Life to Live (2006–2007) and has guest-starred on series including 30 Rock (2009), Blue Bloods (2010), Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2023), Law & Order: SVU (2013; 2024), and American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez (2024). She also released a solo album, Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust (2008), launched the podcast Breaking Broadway (2020), and made her directorial debut with a production of Newsies (2023). In addition to her stage work, she continues to perform in concerts and theatre across the country.
Dick Latessa
Latessa originated the role of Wilbur Turnblad in 2003, a role which earned him the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, as well as the Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical.
In 2010, he was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for his performances in Promises, Promises, on Broadway. In 2012, he starred in the Broadway production of The Lyons.
Prior to starring as Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray on Broadway in 2002, Dick Latessa had already built a long and distinguished stage career. On Broadway, he appeared in Cabaret (1998 revival), Proposals (1997), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1996 revival), Damn Yankees (1994 revival), The Will Rogers Follies (1991), Rumors (1988), Broadway Bound (1986), Rags (1986), Awake and Sing! (1984 revival), Brighton Beach Memoirs (1983), Passione (1980), I Ought to Be in Pictures (1980), Chapter Two (1977), Follies (1971), and The Education of HYMAN KAPLAN* (1968).
He also appeared in numerous Off-Broadway productions, including Chaucer in Rome (2001), Over the River and Through the Woods (1998), Li’l Abner (1998 Encores! concert), Promises, Promises (1997 Encores! concert), Fit to Be Tied (1996), Du Barry Was a Lady (1996 Encores! concert), Sophistry (1993), Man in His Underwear (1992), Juno (1992), Crossing the Bar (1985), Diamonds (1984), America Kicks Up Its Heels (1983), Passione (1980), Marco Polo (1976), Philemon (1975), Pimpernel! (1964), and The Fantasticks (1960). In addition to his New York work, he appeared on the national tour of Cabaret in 1999. Latessa passed away in 2016.
Mary Bond Davis
Mary Bond Davis originated the role of Motormouth Maybelle in the original Broadway production of Hairspray! Following Hairspray, Davis starred in The Mistress Cycle at New York Musical Theatre Festival.
Prior to Hairspray, Mary Bond Davis appeared on Broadway in The Women (2001 Roundabout revival), Marie Christine (1999), Grease (1994 revival, as Teen Angel), Jelly’s Last Jam (1992), Mail (1988), and Shout Up a Morning (1986).
Linda Hart
Linda Hart originated the role of Velma Von Tussle in the Broadway production of Hairspray. Following Hairspray, Linda Hart appeared as Bunny in the world premiere regional production of Gemini (2004), as Betty in the original Off-Broadway production of The Great American Trailer Park Musical (2005), as Carol Strong in the original Broadway production of Catch Me If You Can (2011), and as Mom in the world premiere Off-Broadway production of Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story (2014).
On screen she starred in the sitcom The Winner in 2006 and appeared in numerous television series, including Desperate Housewives, The Practice, Touched by an Angel, Major Dad, Night Court, Hill Street Blues, and The Dukes of Hazzard. In film, she appeared in Showtime, Tin Cup, Get Shorty, A Perfect World, and Beautiful.
Clarke Thorell
Clark Thorell originated the role of Corny Collins in Hairspray on Broadway! Following Hairspray, Thorell appeared as Fenton in the original Off-Broadway production of Lone Star Love (2004), as Max in the world premiere regional production of Palm Beach (2005), as Eric in the Off-Broadway production of Satellites (2006), and as a performer in the Encores! concert of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (2012).
He also starredas Rooster Hannigan in the Broadway revival of Annie (2012), as Clive/Cathy/Soldier in the Atlantic Theater Company Off-Broadway production of Cloud Nine (2015).
Thorell returned to Broadway as Kruger in the Broadway revival production of The Front Page (2016), as Zoltan Karpathy (replacement) in the Broadway revival of My Fair Lady (2018). He also starred as Bill/Mr. Cynic in the Encores! concert revival of Love Life (2020).
Corey Reynolds
Corey Reynolds originated the role of Seaweed in Hairspray! Following Hairspray, he went on to play David Gabriel across 109 episodes of The Closer (2005–2012).
On television, Reynolds appeared as Damon Ferris on Without a Trace (2005), Steve Gryson on CSI: Miami (2007), Ray Paget on Private Practice (2007), Lieutenant Commander Aaban El-Sayad on NCIS (2009).
He starred as Tack in the TV movie Delirium (2014), then appeared as Waylon Ortley in three episodes of Getting On (2015) and as Mark West on Castle (2015). In 2016, he played Frank on Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life, Assistant District Attorney Martin Reardon in 10 episodes of Murder in the First, and James Bell in two episodes of Masters of Sex.
He went on to appear as ATF Agent Duke Morgan on NCIS: Los Angeles (2017), Phil Brooks on Criminal Minds (2017–2018), Steve Burns on Chicago P.D. (2017), Scott Patton on SEAL Team (2017), Harrison Brennan in three episodes of The Red Line (2019), Cliff Mosley in five episodes of All American (2019–2020), and Sheriff Mike Thompson across 44 episodes of Resident Alien (2021–2025).
Jackie Hoffman
Jackie Hoffman originated the role of Prudy Pingleton in the original cast of Hairspray on Broadway! Following Hairspray, Hoffman appeared on Broadway as Calliope/Aphrodite in Xanadu (2007–2008), as Grandmama Eudora Addams in The Addams Family (2010–2011), as Maude P. Dilly and others in On the Town (2014–2015), as Mrs. Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2017–2018), and as The Producer in Gutenberg! The Musical! (2023).
Her Off-Broadway and regional credits include: The Sisters Rosensweig at the Old Globe Theatre (2006), Regrets Only at New York City Center Stage I (2006–2007), the Chicago production of The Addams Family at the Oriental-Ford Center for the Arts (2009–2010), Chicago at The Muny (2012), Once Upon a Mattress at the Abrons Arts Center (2015–2016), Fidler Afn Dakh at Edmond J. Safra Hall/Stage 42 (2018–2020), Fairycakes at Greenwich House Theater (2021), The Tattooed Lady at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (2022), and My First Ex-Husband at the MMC Theater (2025).
On TV, Hoffman has appeared in Curb Your Enthusiasm, Hope & Faith, Starved, As the World Turns, 30 Rock, One Life to Live, Raising Hope, Submissions Only, Melissa & Joey, The New Normal, Inside Amy Schumer, The Good Wife, High School USA!, The Michael J. Fox Show, Girls, Difficult People, American Dad!, Elementary, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, Feud: Bette and Joan, At Home with Amy Sedaris, The Other Two, The Politician, The Bite, Only Murders in the Building, Search Party, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, Night Court, Spidey and His Amazing Friends, And Just Like That..., Super Duper Bunny League.
Hoffman received a Primetime Emmy nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her role as Mamacita in Feud: Bette and Joan on FX.
In film, she has appeared in Garden State, A Dirty Shame, Robots, Queer Duck: The Movie, The Entrepreneurs, How to Seduce Difficult Women, The Extra Man, The Sitter, Birdman, 5 Flights Up, Decay, The Social Ones, Shiva Baby, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, A Good Person, and You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah.
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