Fans have always pondered the question, which is easier to break in to, Hollywood or Broadway? The answer is easy: neither! Being a professional actor is not just a talent based game, it also requires a lot of luck, a lot of hard work, and a lot of connections. Some gigs work out for starting actors because they were just at the right place at the right time, but for others, it's a consistent round of effort and proving themselves again and again.
Some actors get stereotyped as being silver screen pros and can lose out on other opportunities on TV and theater, but actors who are keen on building a good portfolio work to find their footing in as many mediums they can, or in the ones they are passionate about. It goes without saying that the silver screen and theater are two completely different ball games, but these Hollywood actors excelled in both domains, and effectively proved themselves in the wonderful world of Broadway.
8 Daniel Radcliffe Wanted To Break Away From Hollywood Fame Through Broadway
Broadway was one of the many projects Daniel Radcliffe took on after his time with The Harry Potter franchise ended. The actor began testing the waters with theater back in 2007 when he was still filming Harry Potter, and it was an instant attraction for the movie star having starred in many plays like Equus, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, The Cripple of Inishmaan, and many more. Radcliff shared his love for his on-stage experience while performing the play Cripple of Inishmaan by saying, "It was all in all a really, really great experience last year. I love the play, I’ve worked on Broadway shows twice now, and I love working and living in New York. It’s one of those situations where the chance to spend a lot of time in a city that I love doing a play that I love was really, really exciting."
7 Adam Driver Actually Started Off His Career On Stage
Adam Driver is now one of the biggest and most talented names on Hollywood with his movies earning big bucks in box offices worldwide, but before that, he was trying out his luck in theater! He began his acting career with the plays Mrs. Warren's Profession in 2010 and then he starred in Man and Boy back in 2011 before heading to Hollywood. He made his comeback in Broadway recently, and has since starred in Burn This and had this to say about why he loves the theater audience, "You’ve been in a cocoon and have done the play so many times you forget what it’s like seeing it for the first time. In a way, the audience tells you about the play. And it’s different night to night."
6 Tom Hanks' Friend Really Wanted Him To Play A Theater Role
Beloved Hollywood actor Tom Hanks is easily one of the best people to work with in this industry, and he made his debut on Broadway back in 2013. The Play titled Lucky Guy was originally a film written by his friend Nora Ephron. Hanks initially passed on the role but accepted it when the film was scratched and he was re-offered the role in the play adaptation of the original script.
5 Emma Stone Starred In A Production of Cabaret
The La La Land starlet had her debut on Broadway back in 2014 playing what was previously Michelle William's role, Sally Bowles in the revival of Cabaret. Many fans don't know this, but Stone was actually the first choice for the role but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.
4 Neil Patrick Harris Went To The Stage After His Stint As Doogie Houser
Neil Patrick Harris had his stint as a child star being Doogie Howser M.D. Right after his first big role debut, the actor headed to theater from a young age and starred in many productions like Sweeney Todd, Cabaret, and Assassins.
3 Scarlett Johansson Won A Tony Award Back In 2010
Scarlett Johansson won a Tony Award back in 2010 for her performance as a Featured Actress in a Broadway production of A View From the Bridge. The actress had taken time off from Hollywood in order to pursue this role, and she has definitely added more star power to her name with this move.
2 Meryl Streep's Professional Career Started On Stage
The legendary actress had her humble yet impressive beginnings on the Vivian Beaumont Theater in a production of Trelawny of Wells. She was later cast in multiple Broadway productions from 1977 until the early '80s, when she decided she finally wanted to pursue a career in cinema.
1 Jake Gyllenhaal Just Loves A Challenge
Gyllenhaal is no stranger from fine arts being from a family of artists. While the actor had his official Broadway debut back in 2015 with a play called Constellations, he had always been a theater kid with appearances in plays as early as in 2002.
