Posted on Jan 16, 2015

24 TV Stars You Might Not Know Can Sing

If you're looking to cast the next live TV musical, you might want to start here. Yes, theater freaks, you know all of this already.

by Louis Peitzman

BuzzFeed News Reporter

In this interview with Jordin Sparks, Scandal star Kerry Washington revealed her passion for Disney songs. Next time Scandal goes on hiatus, it might be worth considering Washington as a new Disney Princess. She has the vocal chops for it! — youtube.com

In this interview with Jordin Sparks, Scandal star Kerry Washington revealed her passion for Disney songs. Next time Scandal goes on hiatus, it might be worth considering Washington as a new Disney Princess. She has the vocal chops for it!

youtube.com

In this interview with Jordin Sparks, Scandal star Kerry Washington revealed her passion for Disney songs. Next time Scandal goes on hiatus, it might be worth considering Washington as a new Disney Princess. She has the vocal chops for it!

But Washington isn't the only Scandal star with impressive pipes. Here's Katie Lowes doing "Maybe This Time" from Cabaret. Now why couldn't we squeeze her into the Broadway production — maybe between Emma Stone and Sienna Miller? — youtube.com

But Washington isn't the only Scandal star with impressive pipes. Here's Katie Lowes doing "Maybe This Time" from Cabaret. Now why couldn't we squeeze her into the Broadway production — maybe between Emma Stone and Sienna Miller?

youtube.com

But Washington isn't the only Scandal star with impressive pipes. Here's Katie Lowes doing "Maybe This Time" from Cabaret. Now why couldn't we squeeze her into the Broadway production — maybe between Emma Stone and Sienna Miller?

Like Katie Lowes, Scandal's first lady Bellamy Young has a musical theater background too. Here she is killing it in a clip from the musical The Life. At this point, the fact that we haven't gotten a Scandal musical episode is unconscionable. — youtube.com

Like Katie Lowes, Scandal's first lady Bellamy Young has a musical theater background too. Here she is killing it in a clip from the musical The Life. At this point, the fact that we haven't gotten a Scandal musical episode is unconscionable.

youtube.com

Like Katie Lowes, Scandal's first lady Bellamy Young has a musical theater background too. Here she is killing it in a clip from the musical The Life. At this point, the fact that we haven't gotten a Scandal musical episode is unconscionable.

Keeping it in the Shonda Rhimes family, here's Paul Adelstein, who now recurs on Scandal after starring on Private Practice. He's also a regular on Bravo's Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce. Oh, and he can sing! — youtube.com

Keeping it in the Shonda Rhimes family, here's Paul Adelstein, who now recurs on Scandal after starring on Private Practice. He's also a regular on Bravo's Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce. Oh, and he can sing!

youtube.com

Keeping it in the Shonda Rhimes family, here's Paul Adelstein, who now recurs on Scandal after starring on Private Practice. He's also a regular on Bravo's Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce. Oh, and he can sing!

In addition to playing the only stable man in Connor's (Jack Falahee) life on How to Get Away With Murder, Conrad Ricamora has an impressive musical theater career. He was last seen in Here Lies Love, and will next be in the upcoming revival of The King & I. — youtube.com

In addition to playing the only stable man in Connor's (Jack Falahee) life on How to Get Away With Murder, Conrad Ricamora has an impressive musical theater career. He was last seen in Here Lies Love, and will next be in the upcoming revival of The King & I.

youtube.com

In addition to playing the only stable man in Connor's (Jack Falahee) life on How to Get Away With Murder, Conrad Ricamora has an impressive musical theater career. He was last seen in Here Lies Love, and will next be in the upcoming revival of The King & I.

She hasn't gotten a solo on Madam Secretary, but it's only a matter of time. Broadway fans know Patina Miller for her starring roles in the revival of Pippin and Sister Act. — youtube.com

She hasn't gotten a solo on Madam Secretary, but it's only a matter of time. Broadway fans know Patina Miller for her starring roles in the revival of Pippin and Sister Act.

youtube.com

She hasn't gotten a solo on Madam Secretary, but it's only a matter of time. Broadway fans know Patina Miller for her starring roles in the revival of Pippin and Sister Act.

Also on Madam Secretary: two-time Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth, who picked up statues for the revivals of Sweet Charity and Chicago. Listen, a musical episode to spice things up might be just what Madam Secretary needs. — youtube.com

Also on Madam Secretary: two-time Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth, who picked up statues for the revivals of Sweet Charity and Chicago. Listen, a musical episode to spice things up might be just what Madam Secretary needs.

youtube.com

Also on Madam Secretary: two-time Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth, who picked up statues for the revivals of Sweet Charity and Chicago. Listen, a musical episode to spice things up might be just what Madam Secretary needs.

You probably know that Looking's Jonathan Groff is a talented singer: He made his break in the musical Spring Awakening, and found crossover success on Glee and in Frozen. But Scott Bakula might be something of a surprise. And yes, they should totally find a reason to duet. — youtube.com

You probably know that Looking's Jonathan Groff is a talented singer: He made his break in the musical Spring Awakening, and found crossover success on Glee and in Frozen. But Scott Bakula might be something of a surprise. And yes, they should totally find a reason to duet.

youtube.com

You probably know that Looking's Jonathan Groff is a talented singer: He made his break in the musical Spring Awakening, and found crossover success on Glee and in Frozen. But Scott Bakula might be something of a surprise. And yes, they should totally find a reason to duet.

Chances are you've heard Emmy Rossum sing, because she does it pretty often. But if you have no knowledge of her outside of Shameless, here she is dueting with the equally talented Patrick Wilson with a song they performed together in the Phantom of the Opera film. — youtube.com

Chances are you've heard Emmy Rossum sing, because she does it pretty often. But if you have no knowledge of her outside of Shameless, here she is dueting with the equally talented Patrick Wilson with a song they performed together in the Phantom of the Opera film.

youtube.com

Chances are you've heard Emmy Rossum sing, because she does it pretty often. But if you have no knowledge of her outside of Shameless, here she is dueting with the equally talented Patrick Wilson with a song they performed together in the Phantom of the Opera film.

Sexual orientation: Supernatural's Jensen Ackles covering an Elliott Smith song. I mean, honestly. — youtube.com

Sexual orientation: Supernatural's Jensen Ackles covering an Elliott Smith song. I mean, honestly.

youtube.com

Sexual orientation: Supernatural's Jensen Ackles covering an Elliott Smith song. I mean, honestly.

Before he was Elijah on Girls, Andrew Rannells was a Broadway star, known mostly for his Tony-nominated performance in The Book of Mormon. Here he is singing "The Origin of Love," which he got to do as Hedwig when he took over the role from Neil Patrick Harris in 2014. — youtube.com

Before he was Elijah on Girls, Andrew Rannells was a Broadway star, known mostly for his Tony-nominated performance in The Book of Mormon. Here he is singing "The Origin of Love," which he got to do as Hedwig when he took over the role from Neil Patrick Harris in 2014.

youtube.com

Before he was Elijah on Girls, Andrew Rannells was a Broadway star, known mostly for his Tony-nominated performance in The Book of Mormon. Here he is singing "The Origin of Love," which he got to do as Hedwig when he took over the role from Neil Patrick Harris in 2014.

OK, you watched Peter Pan Live! You've seen her display her vocal talents as Marnie on Girls. You know Allison Williams can sing, but who can resist this clip of her performing a mash-up of the Mad Men theme song and "Nature Boy"? It's great. — youtube.com

OK, you watched Peter Pan Live! You've seen her display her vocal talents as Marnie on Girls. You know Allison Williams can sing, but who can resist this clip of her performing a mash-up of the Mad Men theme song and "Nature Boy"? It's great.

youtube.com

OK, you watched Peter Pan Live! You've seen her display her vocal talents as Marnie on Girls. You know Allison Williams can sing, but who can resist this clip of her performing a mash-up of the Mad Men theme song and "Nature Boy"? It's great.

Ana Gasteyer is on Girls this season and recurs as a judge on The Good Wife. You probably know her from Saturday Night Live. But what you might not know is that Gasteyer is an accomplished singer who toured as Elphaba in Wicked and has a new album. — youtube.com

Ana Gasteyer is on Girls this season and recurs as a judge on The Good Wife. You probably know her from Saturday Night Live. But what you might not know is that Gasteyer is an accomplished singer who toured as Elphaba in Wicked and has a new album.

youtube.com

Ana Gasteyer is on Girls this season and recurs as a judge on The Good Wife. You probably know her from Saturday Night Live. But what you might not know is that Gasteyer is an accomplished singer who toured as Elphaba in Wicked and has a new album.

Again, not a surprise to Broadway folks, but Alan Cumming is transformative as the Emcee in Cabaret, a role he's made his own in both recent revivals. (You can see him on Broadway right now.) And he still makes time for The Good Wife! — youtube.com

Again, not a surprise to Broadway folks, but Alan Cumming is transformative as the Emcee in Cabaret, a role he's made his own in both recent revivals. (You can see him on Broadway right now.) And he still makes time for The Good Wife!

youtube.com

Again, not a surprise to Broadway folks, but Alan Cumming is transformative as the Emcee in Cabaret, a role he's made his own in both recent revivals. (You can see him on Broadway right now.) And he still makes time for The Good Wife!

She appears in just about every major movie musical: Chicago, Mamma Mia, and Into the Woods. But just in case you missed the memo, here's Christine Baranski — who stars as Diane Lockhart on The Good Wife — nailing "I'm Still Here" from Follies. (The quality of the video is iffy, but she is not!) It was just announced that Baranski will be doing Follies again! Lucky you, Londoners. — youtube.com

She appears in just about every major movie musical: Chicago, Mamma Mia, and Into the Woods. But just in case you missed the memo, here's Christine Baranski — who stars as Diane Lockhart on The Good Wife — nailing "I'm Still Here" from Follies. (The quality of the video is iffy, but she is not!) It was just announced that Baranski will be doing Follies again! Lucky you, Londoners.

youtube.com

She appears in just about every major movie musical: Chicago, Mamma Mia, and Into the Woods. But just in case you missed the memo, here's Christine Baranski — who stars as Diane Lockhart on The Good Wife — nailing "I'm Still Here" from Follies. (The quality of the video is iffy, but she is not!) It was just announced that Baranski will be doing Follies again! Lucky you, Londoners.

You probably know Hunter Parrish from Weeds, or from his guest spot on The Good Wife. Or maybe you know him from his starring role in Godspell! In case you don't, here he is singing "Beautiful City" from that show. — youtube.com

You probably know Hunter Parrish from Weeds, or from his guest spot on The Good Wife. Or maybe you know him from his starring role in Godspell! In case you don't, here he is singing "Beautiful City" from that show.

youtube.com

You probably know Hunter Parrish from Weeds, or from his guest spot on The Good Wife. Or maybe you know him from his starring role in Godspell! In case you don't, here he is singing "Beautiful City" from that show.

You guessed it: This is all just an excuse to post a lot of Sondheim. Guilty! But the lack of singing on Homeland is a real pity, given that Mandy Patinkin has one of the best voices in the theater. He originated the starring roles in Sunday in the Park With George and Evita, and he was Inigo Montoya. (No singing required in The Princess Bride, but still. Iconic.) — youtube.com

You guessed it: This is all just an excuse to post a lot of Sondheim. Guilty! But the lack of singing on Homeland is a real pity, given that Mandy Patinkin has one of the best voices in the theater. He originated the starring roles in Sunday in the Park With George and Evita, and he was Inigo Montoya. (No singing required in The Princess Bride, but still. Iconic.)

youtube.com

You guessed it: This is all just an excuse to post a lot of Sondheim. Guilty! But the lack of singing on Homeland is a real pity, given that Mandy Patinkin has one of the best voices in the theater. He originated the starring roles in Sunday in the Park With George and Evita, and he was Inigo Montoya. (No singing required in The Princess Bride, but still. Iconic.)

Turns out Brody can sing too! He's not on Homeland anymore, but maybe he could appear to Carrie (Claire Danes) in another drug-induced hallucination. And maybe he could be singing! That's far from the craziest thing that has happened on this show. — youtube.com

Turns out Brody can sing too! He's not on Homeland anymore, but maybe he could appear to Carrie (Claire Danes) in another drug-induced hallucination. And maybe he could be singing! That's far from the craziest thing that has happened on this show.

youtube.com

Turns out Brody can sing too! He's not on Homeland anymore, but maybe he could appear to Carrie (Claire Danes) in another drug-induced hallucination. And maybe he could be singing! That's far from the craziest thing that has happened on this show.

Now that The Newsroom is over, can we get John Gallagher Jr. back on Broadway, please? He won a Tony Award for his incredible performance in Spring Awakening, and went on to star in the Green Day musical American Idiot. Sorkin dialogue is hard to pull off, but singing like this is even more impressive. — youtube.com

Now that The Newsroom is over, can we get John Gallagher Jr. back on Broadway, please? He won a Tony Award for his incredible performance in Spring Awakening, and went on to star in the Green Day musical American Idiot. Sorkin dialogue is hard to pull off, but singing like this is even more impressive.

youtube.com

Now that The Newsroom is over, can we get John Gallagher Jr. back on Broadway, please? He won a Tony Award for his incredible performance in Spring Awakening, and went on to star in the Green Day musical American Idiot. Sorkin dialogue is hard to pull off, but singing like this is even more impressive.

Yes, Sutton Foster can soon be seen on the TV Land sitcom Younger, but let's take a moment to lament the untimely cancellation of Bunheads. JUSTICE FOR BUNHEADS. — youtube.com

Yes, Sutton Foster can soon be seen on the TV Land sitcom Younger, but let's take a moment to lament the untimely cancellation of Bunheads. JUSTICE FOR BUNHEADS.

youtube.com

Yes, Sutton Foster can soon be seen on the TV Land sitcom Younger, but let's take a moment to lament the untimely cancellation of Bunheads. JUSTICE FOR BUNHEADS.

Also from Bunheads — and duh, Gilmore Girls — Kelly Bishop created the role of Sheila in A Chorus Line, and won a Tony for it. This performance of "At the Ballet" is long but worth watching in full. — youtube.com

Also from Bunheads — and duh, Gilmore Girls — Kelly Bishop created the role of Sheila in A Chorus Line, and won a Tony for it. This performance of "At the Ballet" is long but worth watching in full.

youtube.com

Also from Bunheads — and duh, Gilmore Girls — Kelly Bishop created the role of Sheila in A Chorus Line, and won a Tony for it. This performance of "At the Ballet" is long but worth watching in full.

JUSTICE. FOR. BUNHEADS. Although Stacey Oristano might be better known for her role on Friday Night Lights. Either way, here she is performing with Paul Adelstein — they sound great together. Oristano recently starred in Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick's musical Disaster! — youtube.com

JUSTICE. FOR. BUNHEADS. Although Stacey Oristano might be better known for her role on Friday Night Lights. Either way, here she is performing with Paul Adelstein — they sound great together. Oristano recently starred in Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick's musical Disaster!

youtube.com

JUSTICE. FOR. BUNHEADS. Although Stacey Oristano might be better known for her role on Friday Night Lights. Either way, here she is performing with Paul Adelstein — they sound great together. Oristano recently starred in Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick's musical Disaster!

French Canadian actor Karine Vanasse has been on a couple American series: She broke out on the short-lived Pan Am and now stars on Revenge. She's also got pretty crazy pipes in whatever language she chooses to sing in. — youtube.com

French Canadian actor Karine Vanasse has been on a couple American series: She broke out on the short-lived Pan Am and now stars on Revenge. She's also got pretty crazy pipes in whatever language she chooses to sing in.

youtube.com

French Canadian actor Karine Vanasse has been on a couple American series: She broke out on the short-lived Pan Am and now stars on Revenge. She's also got pretty crazy pipes in whatever language she chooses to sing in.

More Sondheim? Sorry, not sorry. Raúl Esparza, who plays ADA Rafael Barba on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has had a very active Broadway career. He earned his second Tony nomination for his role as Bobby in Company, as seen here. — youtube.com

More Sondheim? Sorry, not sorry. Raúl Esparza, who plays ADA Rafael Barba on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has had a very active Broadway career. He earned his second Tony nomination for his role as Bobby in Company, as seen here.

youtube.com

More Sondheim? Sorry, not sorry. Raúl Esparza, who plays ADA Rafael Barba on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has had a very active Broadway career. He earned his second Tony nomination for his role as Bobby in Company, as seen here.

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