Whoopi Goldberg’s Iconic Roles inBurglar,Sister Act,Fatal Beautyand More Were Originally Meant for Other Actors

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Jesse Grant/WWD via Getty

Jesse Grant/WWD via Getty

Whoopi Goldberghad to resist typecasting as an up-and-coming actor in the 1980s and ‘90s.

In her recent memoir,Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother and Me, Goldberg said parts for Black actors were scarce after her 1985 Oscar-nominated breakout role inThe Color Purple. She said even though many of her now-acclaimed roles weren’t written for a Black actor, she believed she could play any role and auditioned anyway.

“Most of the movie roles I played in the ‘80s and ‘90s were intended for other people,” Goldberg writes.

Her leading role inBurglarin 1987 was supposed to go toBruce Willis, according to Goldberg. While she was being considered for a supporting role, she writes that Willis turned the lead down, and Goldberg said, “How about me?”

Goldberg writes thatJumpin’ Jack Flashwas originally written for Shelley Long,Fatal Beautywas meant forCherand her role inSister Actwas first offered toBette Midler. Midler revealed toVarietythat she wasafraid to wear a Nun’s habitbut praised Goldberg “who wore it all the way to the bank.”

Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock

“So God bless her. And she was perfect for it,” Midler said of Goldberg.

In 1987, Goldberg’s classic portrayal of Guinan came after she called Gene Roddenberry to ask for a part inStar Trek: The Next Generation, sparking a revelation for the lateStar Trekcreator. He decided to build a character just for her, according to Goldberg.

Goldberg writes that when he asked why, she told him, “you couldn’t find Black people in science fiction of the past beforeStar Trek,” and said it was important to her that Black people “be seen in the future.”

CBS via Getty

Goldberg recalled in the memoir when her 10-year-old self jumped off the couch in 1966 afterNichelle Nicholsappeared as Lieutenant Uhura inStar Trek.

Two days later, Roddenberry offered Goldberg theStar Trekrole. He said, “‘It turns out, you’re right. I couldn’t find Black people in science fiction. I had no idea.”

source: people.com