Star Search.. Looking Back at Today’s Stars That We First Saw on the Show.

 

Live contestant talent shows are all the rage for about ten years now.  I don’t need to name them, you know what they are.  Star Search was hosted originally by Ed McMahon from 1983 thru 1995 and then later by Arsenio Hall for a couple years, 2003 and 2004.

It’s amazing to look back at some of the indeed star talent that made their way to that stage at Earl Carroll Theatre in California and later at the Disneyland Hollywood Studio in Orlando, Florida.

The talent was broken down into five full time categories Male and Female Vocalist, Vocal Group, Comedy and Dance. There were also five part time categories. There was Teen Vocalist and Junior Dance the first half of each season and it was followed by Junior Vocalist and Teen Dance in the second half

So let’s enjoy seeing some of the name that, in many cases, made their national debuts on Star Search

In alphabetical order, here are some notable performers from Star Search

CLICK HERE FOR FEMALE PERFORMERS

Male Performers

• Adam Sandler (Comedian)
• Bill Engvall (Comedian)
• Billy Dean
• Brad Garrett 1984 (Comedian)
• Carlos Mencia, 1991 (Comedian)
• Charles Divins (Male Spokesmodel winner)
• Dave Chappelle (Comedian)
• David Archuleta, 2003 (Junior Vocal Champion)
• David Raleigh, 1990 (Singer, songwriter, piano player)
• David Slater, 1987 (Male Vocalist Champion)
• Dennis Miller (Comedian)
• Don McMillan, 1993 (Comedian, Corporate comedy)
• Drew Carey 1988 (Comedian)
• Ingo Oschmann, 2003 (Comedy champion)
• J. D. Roth
• James Bonamy
• Jim Tavaré (British Comedian) Winner of ‘International Star Search’ 1993
• Joey Pearson (Singer)
• Johnnie Harris 1993 (Singer)
• Jordis Unga, 2004 (Singer)
• Joseph Williams (Toto lead singer from 1986 – 1988)
• Josh Strickland, 2004 (Singer)
• Justin Timberlake, 1993 (Singer, as Justin Randall)
• Ken Ober

• Kent James, 1993 (as a part of the music group Kent & the Kommotion)
• Kevin James (Comedian)
• Marc Summers
• Marne Patterson, 1989 (Junior Vocalist)
• Martin Lawrence (Comedian)
• Nick Lazzarini, 2003 (as a part of the dance group Hot Under the Collar)
• Norm Macdonald (Comedian)
• Pat McCurdy (Singer)
• Phil Vassar, 1987 (Singer)
• Rashaan Patterson (Singer)
• Ray Romano (Comedian)
• Sawyer Brown, 1983 (Vocal Group Champion)
• Sinbad (Comedian)
• Steve Oedekerk (Comedian)
• Sutton Foster, 1990 (Singer)
• Tim Christofore (1995 Winner)
• Támar, 2004 (Singer)
• Taylor Mason (Comedian, winner)
• The Boys, 1986 (Vocal Group)
•  Todd Berry, 1991 (Singer)
• Tracey Ross, 1984 (Spokesmodel winner)
• Ty Herndon
• Tyce Diorio (So You Think You Can Dance choreographer)
• Usher Raymond, 1991 (Singer)
• Vic Mignogna, 1993 (Singer)
• Wayne Federman 1987 (Comedian)
• Keith Robinson 1993 (Comedian – Finalist)

CLICK HERE FOR FEMALE PERFORMERS

Male Highlights Below