7 Actresses Who Played Glinda the Good Witch

What do Billie Burke, Ariana Grande and Kristin Chenoweth have in common? They’ve all waved Glinda the Good Witch’s sparkling wand.

According to Atlantic Oceanthe pink-clad sorceress made her screen debut in two silent film adaptations of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Still, Glinda began her reign over pop culture in 1939 thanks to actress Billie Burke’s portrayal in The Wizard of Oz.

While dozens of TV shows, books and live performances have retold the story of Dorothy and her dog who are picked up by a wild, universe-bending tornado that throws them into the magical Land of Oz, none have matched Burke’s level of popularity closer than musical Evil.

Originally adapted from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the WestThe Broadway show is one Oz prequel detailing how Elphaba (originally played by Idina Menzel) became the Wicked Witch of the West. Chenoweth starred as Glinda in the original 2003 production, which went on to win three Tony Awards and a Grammy.

But that’s not the last audiences will see of Glinda’s goodness: A two-part film adaptation of the musical, starring Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, has been announced for 2021. Part 1 of Evil opens in theaters on November 22, and part 2 will be released in 2025.

Burke, Chenoweth and Grande aren’t the only stars to take on this iconic role. Here’s everything to know about the most notable ones Oz adaptations—and the actresses who played Glinda in them.

Billy Burke in The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Billy Burke played Glinda in this classic 1930s film that inspired dozens of future projects and included her iconic line, “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?”

MGMs The Wizard of Oz was adapted from Baum’s 1900 novel and follows the story of Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) who is transported from her home in Kansas to a magical land called Oz via a tornado. There, Glinda instructs her and her puppy, Toto, to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City so she can ask the Wizard of Oz to help her get home.

According to Atlantic OceanBurke considered Glinda to be her favorite role she played.

Lena Horne in The Wiz (1978)

Lena Horne portrayed Glinda in the 1978 film adaptation of the 1974 Broadway musical The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical.

According to Los Angeles Timesthe film did poorly during its initial release despite having a star-studded cast with Diana Ross as Dorothy and Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow.

The reimagined story takes place in Harlem, where Dorothy is a sheltered schoolteacher caught in a blizzard chasing her dog, Toto. Just like the original tale, she is transported to the Land of Oz, where she must search for the mysterious Wizard to help her return home.

Kristin Chenoweth in Evil (2003)

Kristin Chenoweth played Glinda in the original Broadway musical adaptation Evil.

Loosely based on the novel of the same name, this performance takes place before Dorothy arrives in Oz and tells the story of an unlikely friendship between two powerful witches – Glinda and Elphaba – and how fate drove them down two different paths.

After debuting in 2003, Evil took home multiple awards, including three Tonys, six Drama Desk Awards and a Grammy.

Chenoweth told PEOPLE in October 2024 that Grande called her crying when she was cast as Glinda in the film adaptation.

“I told her, ‘You’re going to do your version of Glinda and I’m giving you permission,'” the Broadway star said. “And that’s the only way I’ve helped her … I let go of the reins.”

Enter Miss Piggy The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz (2005)

Miss Piggy portrayed Glinda – as well as the Wicked Witch of the West – in the 2005 Disney film The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz.

It features Ashanti as Dorothy, Jeffrey Tambor as the Wizard, David Alan Grier as Uncle Henry and Queen Latifah as Aunt Em, plus everyone’s favorite Muppets.

The TV movie follows almost the same story as the original The Wizard of Ozexcept for one caveat: Dorothy wants the wizard to help make her a superstar.

Michelle Williams in Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

Michelle Williams played Glinda in this fantasy prequel to the original The Wizard of Oz.

In it, James Franco portrays Oscar Diggs, a small-time circus magician transported from Kansas to the Land of Oz – where the residents expect a great and powerful wizard to take over as ruler. But the three witches of the land – Glinda, Theodora (Mila Kunis) and Evanora (Rachel Weisz) – are not convinced that he is suitable for the role.

Williams told Collider in 2013 that she tried not to reference Burke’s original Glinda “too heavily.”

“There are little nods in a few costumes and a few lines,” she said. “But she’s really … a starting point … when you meet Glinda in the original The Wizard of Ozshe is omniscient, she has a kind of calmness. But it’s there … we like to think that’s where she ended up, and it’s a little bit more where she started.”

Uzo Aduba in The Wiz Live! (2015)

Uzo Aduba portrayed Glinda in the live-action NBC remake of the 1975 Broadway musical of the same name.

Like the first movie, The Wiz Live! also had a star-studded cast with Common, Amber Riley, Mary J. Blige and NE-YO.

Grier and Latifah also returned to the land of Oz, but instead of Uncle Henry and Aunt Em, they played the Cowardly Lion and the Wizard, respectively.

Ariana Grande in Evil (2024)

Ariana Grande plays Glinda in the upcoming 2024 film adaptation of the musical Evil – a role she has wanted for a long time.

During a performance in June 2024 d The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonthe host dug up a 2011 post Grande shared that read, “Loved watching Wicked again…amazing production! Made me realize again how much I want to play Glinda at some point in my life! #DreamRole. ”

Evilwhich also stars Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh and Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey, will be slightly different from the musical and feature at least three new songs. Part 1 of the two-part film series will premiere on November 22, with Part 2 debuting sometime in 2025.