Whoopi Goldberg reflected on her classic role as Oda Mae Brown in the 1990 film “Ghost,” telling Variety that her late co-star Patrick Swayze had pleaded for her role.
In a cover story published Wednesday, Goldberg said she was among a list of women considered for the role of Oda Mae, including Patti LaBelle and Tina Turner, but that Swayze fought for Goldberg to get the role.
She said the late actor and film director Jerry Zucker flew to Alabama so Goldberg and Swayze could read lines together.
Goldberg told Variety that he instantly felt a connection to Swayze, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2009.
“He and I got on with each other,” she said.
Goldberg acted memorably as Oda Mae, a showcase psychic who helps the murdered banker Sam Wheat (Swayze) connect with his living girlfriend (Demi Moore) to warn her of imminent danger.
Actor “The Color Purple” said she and Swayze would joke about feeling insecure about how the film would turn out while they were filming, wondering if it would be “the best thing I’ve ever done.” She said.
Sunset Boulevard via Getty Images Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg on the set of “Ghost”, which was released in 1990.
Goldberg’s iconic performance earned her an award for Best Supporting Actress at the 1991 Oscars, making her the first woman of color to receive an Oscar in 50 years.
In 2002, she became the first black person to earn EGOT status – someone who won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
And it continues to open the field in art.
Goldberg told Variety that he is working on a screenplay for a superhero movie about an older black woman who gains new powers.
“Since I was little, I’ve been obsessed with superheroes,” she said. “Everyone saves the earth all the time. But do you know who will really save the earth? Old black women. “
Read her entire Variety cover story here.
Another legendary role of Goldberg has recently returned to the spotlight.
The actor is set to return as Sister Mary Clarence from the 1992 “Sister Act” and its sequel, “Sister Act: Back in the Habit.”
Disney announced in December that the third film is in development for release on Disney +, with Goldberg producing the film with Tyler Perry, as well as starring in the film.
During an appearance on the CBS show “The Late Late Show” last October, Goldberg told host James Corden that no third film had been made, as he had long been told that “no one wanted to see him. ”.
“Very recently, it seems that this cannot be true; people might want to see her, “she said.
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