Kristin Chenoweth

Born: July 24 1968
Where: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, USA

The award-winning singer is better known for her appearances on Broadway rather than the odd foray into film.

Big screen appearances have included Bewitched opposite Nicole Kidman and as Jeff Daniels' wife in the comedy RV - Runaway Vacation.

One quarter Cherokee indian, Chenoweth was adopted at birth and gained an early taste of showbusiness when she was runner-up in the Miss Oklahoma Pageant.

She won a full scholarship to the Philadelphia Academy of Vocal Arts but turned it down when she received a role in a New York play.

In 1997, she made her Broadway debut in Moliere's Scapin and the following year landed at Tony Award when she created the role of Sally in the first Broadway production of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown.

She made her TV debut in 1999 in LateLine and went on to appear in Frasier as well as releasing a solo album Let Yourself Go, a collection of old standards in 2002.

The same year she was shortlisted to play Roxie Hart in Chicago but the part ultimately went to Renée Zellweger.

Nicole Kidman ensured she landed the specially-written role of Maria Kelly in Bewitched after she saw her performance in Wicked as Glinda The Good Witch.

Subsequent big screen outings have included the heavily-criticised Pink Panther remake and the Robin Williams comedy RV - Runaway Vacation.

Chenoweth has also enjoyed a recurring role in the acclaimed White House drama The West Wing as Annabeth Schott.