Kristin Chenoweth’s 10 Best On-Screen Performances

This article contains spoilers about Wicked: Part 1 (2024)

Kristin Chenoweth has been performing professionally since her stage debut in The King and I in 1991. Since then, her career has skyrocketed, having played countless roles both on stage and screen, from originating the role of Glinda in Wicked on Broadway, to guest appearances on TV shows such as Glee. In other fare, she has lent herself to a collection of Christmas movies, ranging from Deck the Halls to Holidate, making Kristin Chenoweth a staple name in many households.

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Most recently, Chenoweth appeared alongside her Wicked costar Idina Menzel in a movie cameo that delighted Broadway lovers and fans of her work and the original musical. The cameo reminded everyone of Chenoweth’s incredible pipes and vocal range, but she’s long since proven herself an acting powerhouse in multiple formats. Although it may be difficult to rank all of her screen performances, there are certainly some that stand out above others.

10 The Boy Next Door (2015)

Claire Peterson

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The Boy Next Door R

The Boy Next Door is a 2015 thriller directed by Rob Cohen, featuring Jennifer Lopez as Claire Peterson, a high school teacher who begins a torrid affair with her young neighbor, Noah Sandborn, played by Ryan Guzman. The relationship quickly turns perilous as Noah’s obsession with Claire spirals out of control, endangering her family and career.

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*Availability in US Release Date January 23, 2015 Runtime 91 Minutes Main Genre Thriller Director Rob Cohen Writers Barbara Curry

Kristin Chenoweth tends to act in comedies, romcoms, and other lighthearted projects, but The Boy Next Door really changed that trend. The film starred Jennifer Lopez in the leading role of Claire Peterson, while Chenoweth played her fun and bubbly best friend, Vicky. Though Vicky was only in the film for a handful of scenes, she definitely made an impression, being there for Claire when she really needed a friend to lean on.

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It was interesting to see Kristin Chenoweth take on a type of role far different than her usual ones, and it certainly showed off her incredible acting abilities.

Given the dark themes and genre of the film, it was only a matter of time until someone was killed off, and the film delivered. Vicky was killed in the final act of the film in a tense scene where she was kidnapped by Noah Sandborn, Claire’s crazed stalker. Off-screen, Noah killed Vicky, with Claire finding her lifeless body upon arriving at the house. It was interesting to see Kristin Chenoweth take on a type of role far different than her usual ones, and it certainly showed off her incredible acting abilities.

9 Schmigadoon! (2021-2023)

Mildred Layton/Miss Codwell

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Schmigadoon! TV-14

A couple on a backpacking trip stumbles upon a magical town where life is a perpetual musical from the 1940s. As they interact with quirky residents and navigate spontaneous song-and-dance numbers, they must rediscover their love to escape the whimsical, tune-filled world.

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*Availability in US Release Date July 16, 2021 Seasons 2 Production Company Universal Television, Out of Cinc, Broadway Video

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AppleTV+’s musical comedy Schmigadoon! follows Melissa and Josh, a couple whose relationship is on the rocks. They’re on a backpacking trip when they get lost and find themselves trapped in the magical land of Schmigadoon. Schmigadoon!‘s cast is made up of a huge collection of Broadway stars, from Alan Cumming to Aaron Tveit and of course, Kristin Chenoweth.As a musical, the show is the perfect screen role for Chenoweth, with the first season paying homage to musicals of the 1940s and 50s, where season 2 is inspired by musicals of the 1960s and 70s.

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Kristin Chenoweth appeared in both seasons of the show, playing different characters. In season 1, she plays Mildred Layton, the preacher’s wife. Based on Mrs. Shinn from The Music Man, the stern and conservative Mildred pushes traditional values onto the residents of the town. In season 2, she plays Miss Codwell, the owner of the local orphanage who cooks and eats the children, combining elements of Miss Hannigan from Annie and Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd. Chenoweth plays both roles phenomenally, with both roles having iconic, catchy show tunes and performances that show off her triple threat of singing, dancing, and acting.

8 Four Christmases (2008)

Courtney Kinkaid

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Four Christmases

Four Christmases, directed by Seth Gordon, follows couple Brad and Kate as their holiday plans go awry when all flights are canceled. Forced to visit their four respective divorced parents, the pair navigates a series of chaotic and revealing family gatherings. Released in 2008, this film explores familial obligations.

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*Availability in US Release Date November 26, 2008 Runtime 89 Minutes Director Seth Gordon

The film Four Christmases focuses on Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon), a couple who plans to travel and visit all their families on Christmas day. The only catch is that both of their parents are divorced, so they must have four Christmases in one day. Kristin Chenoweth plays the role of Courtney, Kate’s sister. As a comedy, Chenoweth only heightens the comedic elements of the film, appearing to be jealous of Kate as she develops her own crush on Brad.

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Kristin Chenoweth only has a brief appearance in the film, starring in just a few scenes, but she makes her presence known. Courtney plays a role in derailing Brad and Kate’s relationship by telling Brad about Kate being bullied as a child with her nickname “Cootie Kate”. She also begins to crush on Brad, watching him in awe as he acts out the Nativity. Her daughter, Kasi, also steals Kate’s pregnancy test, acting like a brat because of the lack of discipline in her life from Courtney. Kristin Chenoweth may not play the main character, but she certainly created some drama.

7 The West Wing (1999-2006)

Annabeth Schott

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10/10 The West Wing Drama

In Aaron Sorkin’s classic political procedural, the senior staff of President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) face the daily challenge of helping to run the country from the West Wing of the White House. The series features an ensemble cast that also includes Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, and John Spencer. 

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*Availability in US Release Date September 22, 1999 Network NBC Seasons 7 Writers Aaron Sorkin Streaming Service(s) MAX Showrunner Aaron Sorkin Expand
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Political drama The West Wing, set in the titular West Wing of the White House, followed President Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and his administration during his term in office. Kristin Chenoweth entered the show’s sixth season and stuck around through the show’s seventh and final season. Her character, Annabeth Schott, had left her job as a producer of a political talk show show to become the Deputy Press Secretary in the White House.

It was exciting to see Kristin Chenoweth playing a calculating character with career ambitions.

Although all of her roles are emotionally complex, it was exciting to see Kristin Chenoweth playing a calculating character with career ambitions. It was also one of her first major roles that rooted itself wholly in drama, and didn’t incorporate any singing, dancing, or comedic elements, giving her the chance to flex her dramatic acting chops for audiences who were previously unfamiliar with her.

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6 Holidate (2020)

Aunt Susan

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7/10 Holidate TV-MAComedyDramaRomance

Holidate is a Netflix original rom-com starring Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey. Roberts and Bracey play Sloane and Jackson, two single adults who agree to be each other’s platonic dates for all of the year’s biggest holidays. But things get complicated when they actually start to have feelings for each other.

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*Availability in US Release Date October 27, 2020 Runtime 104minutes Director John Whitesell Studio(s) Netflix Distributor(s) Netflix

Holidate is a wholesome romantic comedy about Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) becoming each other’s non-commitment dates to all the family holidays throughout the year. Obviously, the non-commitment aspect of their relationship doesn’t work out, and they ultimately develop romantic feelings for each other. In the film, Aunt Susan, played by Chenoweth, is the one who tells Sloane what a “Holidate” is and how it works.

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Kristin Chenoweth’s performance in the film is absolutely hilarious, and she clearly had lots of fun playing the role. Aunt Susan would appear during all the important holidays with different dates and in different holiday-themed costumes. While her positivity is contagious, beneath it all, it’s clear that she wishes she had a stable relationship and someone to go home to every night. The film does such a good job with the different layers of Susan’s feelings and emotions, making her one of the most complicated and interesting characters that Kristin Chenoweth has played on screen.

5 Descendants (2015)

Maleficent

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Descendants G

Descendants, directed by Kenny Ortega, is set in a modern kingdom where the teenage son of King Adam and Queen Belle offers redemption to the children of classic Disney villains, including Maleficent’s daughter Mal and Jafar’s son Jay.

Release Date July 31, 2015 Runtime 112 Minutes Main Genre Adventure Director Kenny Ortega Writers Josann McGibbon , Sara Parriott

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The beloved Disney Channel Original movie, Descendants, revolves around the children of the original Disney villains. The film focuses on Mal (Dove Cameron), the daughter of Maleficent (Kristin Chenoweth), as she attempts to be evil to make her mother proud, even though she knows deep-down it isn’t what she wants and she doesn’t have it in her to be a villain. Maleficent is only in the movie for a handful of scenes, but they are the highlight of the film. Seeing Kristin Chenoweth doing what she does best, singing and dancing while dressed in whimsical costumes, is always a pleasure to watch.

Chenoweth suited the role so well and came across as a master manipulator during her iconic duet “Evil Like Me”. The role of Maleficent is one of her most iconic and camp roles, including lavish costumes and Descendants‘ original songs with fun lyrics. She embodied the role of the villainous diva, returning her to a role that is arguably the closest she to the manipulative and dramatic Glinda since Wicked. In a franchise with plenty of memorable ones, Maleficent was by far the best villain of the Descendants franchise.

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4 Hairspray Live! (2016)

Velma Von Tussle

In 2016, a live recording of the musical Hairspray was released on NBC. The special has an all-star cast that included Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Martin Short, and Kristin Chenoweth, among others. Chenoweth starred as Velma Von Tussle, the racist and unethical mother of Amber (Dove Cameron), reuniting them a year after their work together in Descendants. Velma is the main antagonist throughout the show, putting her at odds with both Tracy and Edna Turnblad, trying to make sure the television station remains racially segregated.

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This role was arguably a challenging one to play, however, Chenoweth gave an immaculate performance. In particular, her rendition of “(The Legend Of) Miss Baltimore Crabs” was sensational, truly a showstopping moment. After seeing her work in Descendents and Schmigadoon!, it seems that Kristin Chenoweth enjoys playing camp, over-the-top villains. She does a sensational job in those roles, taking over the frame and the audience’s full attention, and her appearance on Hairspray Live! was no different.

3 Deck The Halls (2006)

Tia Hall

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Deck the Halls PGComedyFamily

Deck the Halls is a 2006 comedy film directed by John Whitesell. Starring Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito, it follows two neighbors, Steve Finch and Buddy Hall, who engage in a fierce rivalry to outdo each other’s Christmas decorations. Their escalating competition leads to chaotic and humorous consequences, affecting their families and the entire neighborhood. Kristin Davis and Kristin Chenoweth co-star in this light-hearted holiday tale.

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*Availability in US Release Date November 22, 2006 Runtime 93 Minutes Director John Whitesell

The 2006 Christmas film Deck the Halls saw Kristin Chenoweth in one of her biggest on-screen roles to date, playing Tia Hall, the wife of Buddy (Danny DeVito). Tias is a loving, supportive wife throughout most of the movie, supporting Buddy in his quest to light up his house so it can be seen from space. However, when Buddy pawns her vase to buy more lights, she stands her ground and lets him know he’s in the wrong.

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Chenoweth does a great job of balancing Tia’s complexities, wanting to support her husband and raise her children, while also still having a personal life and forming a friendship with her neighbor Kelly. This film also highlights Kristin Chenoweth’s singing abilities, with the actor giving a rendition of “O Holy Night” that is truly beautiful. It’s a testament to Chenoweth that Tia came across as much more present and empathetic than any other supporting character in the movie.

2 Glee (2009-2015)

April Rhodes

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5.7/10 Glee TV-14ComedyDramaMusical

In order to escape the stressful reality of high school, a group of misfits decides to join William McKinley’s glee club. Fox’s Glee was created by Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk, and Ryan Murphy, with Leah Michele, Jane Lynch, and Matthew Morrison leading the cast. The series ran for six seasons between 2009 and 2015 and won six Primetime Emmys.

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*Availability in US Release Date May 19, 2009 Network FOX Seasons 6 Writers Ian Brennan , Ryan Murphy , Brad Falchuk Streaming Service(s) Hulu Showrunner Ryan Murphy , Brad Falchuk Expand

April Rhodes is not only one of Kristin Chenoweth’s most iconic roles ever, she’s also arguably the most iconic character to appear on Fox’s hit TV show Glee! Despite only appearing in five episodes of the show, every episode she starred in was all about her. It shows just how much focus Chenoweth deserved that, even if there were any ongoing storylines at the time of her appearances, they would be pushed aside and the whole episode would be the April Rhodes show.

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The talented trainwreck April is a high school dropout with an alcohol dependence problem. When Will Schuester needed a lead singer for the glee club, he recruited April, re-enrolling her in high school so she could finally get her diploma. Ultimately, April realizes that she’s too old for high school and drops out again, but the character continues to reappear throughout the show. Every time she appeared, Chenoweth showed why April was a pint-sized force to be reckoned with.

1 Wicked (2024)

Wise One

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178 8.7/10 Wicked PG

Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Release Date November 22, 2024 Runtime 160 Minutes Main Genre Musical Director Jon M. Chu Writers Gregory Maguire , Winnie Holzman , Dana Fox , L. Frank Baum Studio(s) Marc Platt Productions Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Expand

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One of Kristin Chenoweth’s most recent film roles has been the role of one of the Wise Ones in the 2024 film Wicked. Chenoweth had a cameo in the Wicked song “One Short Day” alongside Idina Menzel, and, though she only had around one minute of screen time, it was absolutely brilliant. The two actresses had brand-new lyrics for the movie, explaining the Grimmerie to the audience before continuing to sing their own segments in “One Short Day”.

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The costumes for the pair were perfect, with them dressed in fancy, whimsical dresses, their lines paying homage to their original roles in the musical. Idina Menzel got to sing her classic Elphaba riff, while Chenoweth got a few high notes to belt out, as well a comedic moment where she cut off the new Glinda, Ariana Grande, shutting her up and not allowing her to sing. The chemistry between Kristin Chenoweth and Menzel is unmatched, and their appearance in Wicked has been the best surprise in movies this year.

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Follow Followed Follow with Notifications Follow Unfollow Kristin Chenoweth Birthdate July 24, 1968 Birthplace Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, USA Notable Projects Holidate , Tinker Bell , The Boy Next Door

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment