Kristin Chenoweth's 10 Best On-Screen Performances

This article contains spoilers for 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 soared, having played countless roles on both stage and screen, from originating the role of Glinda in Evil on Broadway, to guest appearances on TV shows like Happiness. On the other hand, it has lent itself to a collection of Christmas films, ranging from Decorate the hallways to Holiday, making Kristin Chenoweth a staple name in many homes.

More recently, Chenoweth appeared alongside her Evil co-star Idina Menzel in a cameo in the film that delighted Broadway lovers and fans of her work and the original musical. The cameo reminded everyone of Chenoweth's incredible flute playing and vocal range, but she has long proven herself to be an acting powerhouse in multiple formats. While it may be difficult to rank all of his on-screen performances, there are certainly some that stand out from the rest.

10

The Boy Next Door (2015)

Clara Peterson

Kristin Chenoweth tends to act in comedies, romantic comedies, and other light-hearted projectsbut The boy next door This trend really changed. The film starred Jennifer Lopez in the lead role of Claire Peterson, while Chenoweth played her fun and bubbly best friend, Vicky. Although Vicky was only in a few scenes in the film, she definitely made a good impression, being there for Claire when she really needed a friend to lean on.

Given the film's dark themes and genre, it was only a matter of time before someone was killed and the film delivered. Vicky was killed in the film's final act 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 home. It was interesting to see Kristin Chenoweth take on a very different type of role than the usual ones, and it certainly showed off her incredible acting skills.

9

Schmigadoon! (2021-2023)

Mildred Layton/Miss Codwell

AppleTV+ musical comedy Schmigadoon! follows Melissa and Josh, a couple whose relationship is on the rocks. They are on a backpacking trip when they get lost and become stranded in the magical land of Schmigadoon. Schmigadoon!The cast of 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 movie role for Chenowethwith the first season paying homage to musicals from the 1940s and 50s, while season 2 is inspired by musicals from the 1960s and 70s.

Kristin Chenoweth appeared in both seasons of the series, playing different characters. In season 1, she plays Mildred Layton, the preacher's wife. Based on Mrs. Shinn's The music manthe stern and conservative Mildred pushes traditional values ​​onto the town's residents. 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 of Sweeney Todd. Chenoweth plays both roles phenomenallywith both roles having iconic and captivating songs and performances that showcase her triple threat of singing, dancing and acting.

8

Four Christmases (2008)

Courtney Kinkaid

The film Four Christmases centers on Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon), a couple who plan to travel and visit all of their families on Christmas Day. The only problem is that both parents are divorced, so they must have four Christmases in the same day. Kristin Chenoweth plays the role of Courtney, Kate's sister. Like a comedy, Chenoweth only adds to the film's comedic elementsappearing to be jealous of Kate as she develops her crush on Brad.

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 major role in the derailment of Brad and Kate's relationship by telling Brad about Kate being bullied as a child with her nickname “Cootie Kate.” She also begins to fall in love with Brad, watching him in awe as he performs the Nativity. Her daughter, Kasi, also steals Kate's pregnancy test, acting like a brat because of Courtney's lack of discipline in her life. Kristin Chenoweth may not play the main character, but she certainly created some drama.

7

The West Wing (1999-2006)

Annabeth Schott

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 joined the show's sixth season and remained through the show's seventh and final season. Her character, Annabeth Schott, left her job as a political talk show producer to become deputy press secretary at the White House.

While all of her roles are emotionally complex, it was exciting to see Kristin Chenoweth playing a calculating character with professional ambitions. It was also one of her first major roles that was rooted entirely in drama and did not incorporate any elements of singing, dancing, or comedy, giving her a chance to exercise her dramatic acting skills to audiences who were previously unfamiliar with her.

6

Holiday (2020)

Aunt Susan

Holiday is a wholesome romantic comedy about Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) becoming each other's no-strings-attached partners on every family vacation throughout the year. Obviously, the no-commitment aspect of their relationship doesn't work out and they end up developing 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.

Kristin Chenoweth's performance in the film is absolutely hilarious, and she clearly had a lot of fun playing the role. Aunt Susan appeared during every major holiday on different dates and in different themed outfits. Although her positivity is infectious, underneath it all, it's clear that she would like to have a stable relationship and someone to come home to every night. The film does a great job with Susan's different layers of feelings and emotions.making her one of the most complicated and interesting characters Kristin Chenoweth has ever played on screen.

5

Descendants (2015)

Maleficent

The beloved Disney Channel Original Movie, Descendantsrevolves around the children of the original Disney villains. The film focuses on Mal (Dove Cameron), daughter of Maleficent (Kristin Chenoweth), as she tries to be bad to make her mother proud, even though she knows deep down that it's not what she wants and she doesn't want it. She has to be a villain. Maleficent is only in the film for a few scenesbut they are the highlight of the film. Seeing Kristin Chenoweth doing what she does best, singing and dancing while dressed in extravagant costumes, is always a pleasure to watch.

Chenoweth fit the role so well and came across as a master manipulator during their iconic duet “Evil Like Me.” The role of Maleficent is one of her most iconic and campy 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 has come to the manipulative and dramatic Glinda since. Evil. In a franchise with many memorable ones, Maleficent was by far the best villain in the world. Descendants franchise.

4

Live hairspray! (2016)

Velma Von Tussle

In 2016, a live recording of the musical Hairspray was released on NBC. The special features an all-star cast that includes Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Martin Short and Kristin Chenoweth, among others. Chenoweth starred as Velma Von TussleAmber's racist and unethical mother (Dove Cameron), bringing them together a year after working together on Descendants. Velma is the main antagonist throughout the show, bringing her into conflict with Tracy and Edna Turnblad, trying to ensure that the television station remains racially segregated.

This role was undoubtedly challenging, however, Chenoweth delivered an immaculate performance. In particular, her rendition of “(The Legend Of) Miss Baltimore Crabs” was sensational, truly a standout moment. After seeing your work in Descendants and Schmigadoon!it looks like Kristin Chenoweth likes to play over-the-top villains. She does a sensational job in these roles, taking control of the frame and all the audience's attention, ehits appearance in Live hairspray! it was no different.

3

Deck of the Halls (2006)

Aunt Hall

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

Chenoweth does a great job of balancing Tia's complexities, wanting to support her husband and raise her children while maintaining a personal life and befriending her neighbor Kelly. This film also highlights Kristin Chenoweth's singing skills with the actor doing an interpretation of “O Holy Night” that is truly beautiful. It's a testament to Chenoweth that Tia seemed far more present and empathetic than any of the film's other supporting characters.

2

Joy (2009-2015)

April Rhodes

April Rhodes is not only one of Kristin Chenoweth's most iconic roles of all time, she is also arguably the most iconic character to appear on the hit Fox TV show Happiness! Despite only appearing in five episodes of the series, every episode she starred in was about her. It shows how much focus Chenoweth deserved that even if there was some story going on at the time of her appearances, it would be sidelined and the entire episode would be the April Rhodes show.

Talented train wreck April dropped out of high school and has an alcohol addiction 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 earn her diploma. Ultimately, April realizes she's too old for high school and drops out again, but the character keeps reappearing throughout the series. Every time she appeared, Chenoweth showed why April was a small force to be reckoned with.

1

Perverse (2024)

Wise

One of Kristin Chenoweth's most recent film roles was playing one of the Wise Men in the 2024 film Evil. Chenoweth had a cameo in the Evil song “One Short Day” alongside Idina Menzel, and although she only had about a minute of screen time, it was absolutely brilliant. The two actresses had new lyrics for the film, explaining Grimmerie to the audience before continuing to sing their own segments in “One Short Day.”

The duo's costumes were perfect with them dressed in extravagant and whimsical dresses. his lines pay homage to his original roles in the musical. Idina Menzel sang her classic Elphaba riff, while Chenoweth got some high notes to sing, as well as a comedic moment where she cut off the new Glinda, Ariana Grande, shushing her and not allowing her to sing. The chemistry between Kristin Chenoweth and Menzel is incomparable, and his appearance in Evil It was the best surprise in cinema this year.