Many iconic stars have played the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago and each one has brought something special to the role. From her feisty personality to her bold dance moves, there’s a lot Roxie is known for and it takes a special actress to nail her portrayal.
Originally debuted in 1975, Chicago is a musical that follows the satirical concept of “celebrity criminals.” The play follows Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, both convicted of murder, as the media goes crazy over “killer women.” Since its debut, it’s become a quick classic, earning countless records and acclaim. In 2002, a movie adaptation was created starring Bridget Jones star Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones, winning the Academy Award for Best Picture.
The role of the hilarious unlikeable Roxie Hart has been played by many famous faces from actress to reality TV stars and everything in between. On August 13, it was announced that Alyssa Milano would take over the honor from Ariana Madix and making her Broadway debut in the iconic role.
Milano, has some big shoes to fill — as you’ll see when you take a scroll through this list — but we’re confident that the musical theatre major will bring the house down when she takes to the Broadway stage.
From Ashlee Simpson to Michelle Williams, there are a lot more celebrities who played Roxie on Broadway than we remembered. Check out who’s played Roxie on Broadway below!
A version of this article was originally published in March2022.
Alyssa Milano
Melrose Place alum Alyssa Milano will make her debut as Roxie Hart beginning on September 16 at the Ambassador Theatre through November 10.
“I could not be more excited to be getting back to my roots in musical theatre,” she said in a statement to Playbill. “To finally be making my Broadway debut in the role of Roxie Hart in the iconic musical Chicago and to stand on the shoulders of such honorable lineage is all that a little girl who loved to sing and dance and make people smile could have ever dreamt of. I can’t wait to hit the stage.”
Ariana Madix
Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in January 2024 after she won over fans who rallied behind her following 2023’s “Scandoval” — the nickname given to the scandal surrounding Madix’s longtime parter Tom Sandoval and his affair with her close friend Rachel Leviss.
The Dancing With the Stars alum who went on to host Love Island USA received rave reviews and even had her initial three month run extended with additional dates from August 1 until September 1.
Olivia Holt
Cruel Summer star Olivia Holt made her Broadway debut on April 10, 2023 at the Ambassador Theatre, and will continued to play Roxie until June 4!
Angelica Ross
Pose alum Angelica Ross joined the cast of Chicago and play Roxie Hart starting in September 2022 and made history as the first openly trans performer to lead Chicago!
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson took on the role of Roxie in early 2022 and it helped relaunch her career. She dominated Broadway for eight weeks, starting on April 12, 2022 (and she got a standing ovation on her opening night, per Newsweek!)
Rumer Willis
Demi Moore and Bruce Willis’ daughter Rumer Willis made her Broadway debut as Roxie in 2015, performing the character for six weeks straight.
Brandy
R&B singer Brandy Norwood received plently of acclaim when she played Roxie Hart in 2015.
Christie Brinkley
Christie Brinkley made her Broadway debut as Roxie back in 2011 but has reprised the role in 2012 and 2019.
Ashlee Simpson
Ashlee Simpson has actually played Roxie twice, the first time being in 2005 at the London West End production and again in 2009 with her Broadway debut.
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams starred in Chicago at the Cambridge Theater before taking over Roxie Hart on Broadway in 2010 after Ashlee Simpson left.
Erika Jayne
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne starred as Roxie Hart for two months on Broadway in 2020 before the production was shut down during the pandemic.
Lisa Rinna
Days of Our Lives alum Lisa Rinna is another Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star that played the infamous Roxie Hart on Broadway. Back in 2007, she performed as Roxie on Broadway alongside her husband Harry Hamlin who played Billy Flynn.
Melanie Griffith
Melanie Griffith played Roxie Hart at the 10th Anniversary show back in 2006.
Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields played Roxie Hart originally back in 2005 but reprised the role again in 2010.
Paige Davis
Television personality Paige Davis played Roxie Hart on Broadway in 2004 and later reprised the role in 2013.
Bianca Marroquin
Mexican actress Bianca Marroquin performed in the musical Chicago for over twenty years, playing both Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly throughout. She first Mexican woman to cross over from Mexico to Broadway in a leading role.
Denise Van Outen
Denise Van Outen first played Roxie Hart in London in 2001 before heading to New York in 2002. In 2018, she reprised the role on the West End.
Ruthie Henshall
Ruthie Henshall has starred in Chicago multiple times: in 1997 in London, and in 2010 in New York.
Ann Reinking
Ann Reinking played Roxie multiple times throughout her life, with the first time being in 1977 when she replaced Gwen Verdon. Her most successful run was in 1996, which won her a Tony Award for Best Choreography. She appeared in the show again in 1999 and then helped with the choreography of the show for years to come until her death in 2020.
Gwen Verdon
Gwen Verdon played the original Roxie Hart in the 1975 production of Chicago on Broadway, which got her nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
Leave a Comment