Smash Cast: Where Are They Now?

The Cast of Smash: Where Are They Now?

Time to check in with the cast of “Smash”. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be looking at The Cast of Smash: Where Are They Now?

For this list, we’re looking at what the actors on this musical drama did after the show ended in 2013.

#10: Jack Davenport

We’d recognize that deep velvety British accent anywhere, but in “Smash” it belonged to “Bombshell” director, Derek Willis. Davenport was already an established actor before joining this cast, perhaps best recognized as James Norrington in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. Since “Smash”, he’s certainly been busy, with projects including, “Breathless”, “Kingsman: The Secret Service” and “White Famous”. Today, he also plays Alex Levy’s estranged husband, Jason Craig in “The Morning Show”. In 2018 he made his Broadway debut as the Earl of Warwick in the play “Saint Joan”.

#9: Andy Mientus

Andy was making waves in the theater world before his television debut in season two of “Smash” as Kyle Bishop. He played the writer of rival musical “Hit List” and later starred in the show when it received a real-life staging. He made his Broadway debut in 2014 as Marius in “Les Misérables'' and also played Hänschen in a production of “Spring Awakening',' which eventually transferred to the Great White Way. As well as a flourishing theater career, Mientus wrote a fiction series called “The Backstagers”. He also had a landmark recurring role in “The Flash” where he played TV’s first openly gay supervillain.

#8: Krysta Rodriguez

Another new face in season two, Krysta Rodriguez played Karen’s roommate and “Hit List” co-star, Ana Vargas. She had already accumulated impressive Broadway credits, most notably starring in “The Addams Family” musical. Like her co-star, Andy Mientus, she joined the real-life production of “Hit List” and Deaf West’s “Spring Awakening”, playing Ilse. On television, her credits include “Quantico”, “Trial & Error” and Netflix’s original series, “Daybreak”. She is also set to play Liza Minnelli in the new series, “Halston”. At the age of 30, after being diagnosed with breast cancer, she spoke out about her experiences, spreading awareness.

#7: Anjelica Huston

By the time Anjelica Huston joined the show as established Broadway producer, Eileen Rand, she was already a household name. Huston’s credits before “Smash” are long and varied and continue to be so. She’s since lent her voice to several projects including “BoJack Horseman” and “All Hail King Julien”. You can see her on screen in “John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum”, “Transparent” and “The Cleanse”. She was also set to star in the Broadway revival of “Love Letters” opposite Martin Sheen, but the show closed earlier than planned.

#6: Leslie Odom Jr.

Leslie Odom Jr. played Sam Strickland, but today you probably know him better for THIS Tony award-winning role ... Although he already had an impressive theatre resume before “Smash” including “Rent” and “Tick, Tick...Boom!”, being in “The Room Where It Happened” of course introduced the world to this major talent. Odom Jr. has continued to climb to new heights since his “Smash” days from minor television roles to featuring in “Murder on the Orient Express” and starring opposite Cynthia Erivo in the biopic,“Harriet”. He’s also released several jazz albums and written a book. Honestly, “The man is Non-stop.”

#5: Jeremy Jordan

After starring in the Broadway production of “Newsies”, Jeremy Jordan joined “Smash'' in season two as Jimmy Collins, Kyle Bishop’s “Hit List” collaborator and love interest for Karen. You may know him from his role in “Supergirl” or perhaps from the movie musical, “The Last Five Years” where he starred opposite Anna Kendrick. His stage career has continued to thrive too, returning to his Tony nominated role in “Newsies” when it was taped for Disney, and playing Dr. Pomatter in the multi-award nominated musical, “Waitress”. And if you still can’t get enough, he often performs in concerts around the country too.

#4: Christian Borle

After Borle closed the book on composer Tom Levitt, he exchanged backstage drama for on stage adventure. Since his “Smash” days, Borle added another Tony win to his resume when he played Shakespeare in the Broadway production of “Something Rotten!”. Theater fans may also have caught him in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” as the famous chocolatier or in the recent revival of “Falsettos”. On TV he appeared in “ The Good Wife”, “Masters of Sex” and “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life”. You can also see him in “The Sound of Music Live!” and “Peter Pan Live!”

#3: Debra Messing

Before she was Julia Houston, the other half of the “Bombshell” songwriting team, Debra Messing was probably best known for being one half of “Will & Grace”. It’s a role she would reprise again, much to our delight, and that would earn her a ninth Golden Globe nomination. However, in between “Smash” ending and “Will & Grace” rebooting, Messing was keeping busy with roles in the television reboot of “Dirty Dancing” and starring in the comedy drama “The Mysteries of Laura”. She even had time to make her Broadway debut in 2014 in the Tony award-nominated “Outside Mullingar”.

#2: Megan Hilty

Like her character Ivy, Megan Hilty is no stranger to the theater world. And this wouldn’t be the last time she would dip into Monroe’s life either, as she also played Lorelei Lee in the New York City production of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”. Additionally she picked up a Tony nomination and Broadway.com award for her role in the play “Noises Off”. She has also gained TV credits in shows like “Sean Saves the World” and “The Good Wife” and starred in the “Lifetime” biopic, “Patsy & Loretta”. Hilty continues to perform in solo concerts, channeling Ivy Lynn wherever she goes.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Wesley Taylor
Joined the Cast of “Spongebob Squarepants: The Broadway Musical”

Will Chase
Played Luke in “Nashville”

Brian d’Arcy James
Plays Hannah Baker’s Dad in “13 Reasons Why”

Jaime Cepero
Starred in a Production of “Hair”

#1: Katharine McPhee

Katharine McPhee first arrived on our screens in season five of “American Idol”, but to us she will always be Karen Cartwright from “Smash”. After the show’s cancellation, she starred as Paige in the CBS action-drama series “Scorpion”. During this time she also continued to release music with her fifth album coming out in 2017. While Karen got her big break in “Bombshell” and later, “Hit List”, McPhee had to wait a little longer before making her Broadway debut. She played Jenna Hunterson in the multi award-nominated musical, “Waitress'' on both Broadway and the West End, even originating the role in London.