Whoopi Goldberg refused to be typecast as a rising actor in the 1980s and ‘90s. In her latest memoir, Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother and Me, Goldberg reveals how many of her now-iconic roles were originally written for other actors — but that didn’t stop her from stepping up and making them her own.
Turning Rejections into Opportunities
Goldberg, who earned an Oscar nomination for The Color Purple in 1985, recalls that roles for Black actors were scarce at the time. However, she never saw that as a limitation, choosing to audition for parts regardless of who they were initially meant for. "Most of the movie roles I played in the ‘80s and ‘90s were intended for other people," she writes.
One of the most striking examples was Burglar (1987), a role originally set for Bruce Willis. While she was being considered for a supporting role, Willis ultimately turned down the lead, prompting Goldberg to boldly ask, "How about me?" The rest, as they say, is history.
Roles That Found the Right Star
Goldberg also discloses that Jumpin’ Jack Flash was originally written for Shelley Long, Fatal Beauty was meant for Cher, and Sister Act was first offered to Bette Midler. Midler later explained to Variety that she was hesitant to take on the role because she didn’t want to wear a nun’s habit but had nothing but praise for Goldberg: "So God bless her. And she was perfect for it. She wore it all the way to the bank."
A Legacy in Sci-Fi
In addition to her work in comedy and drama, Goldberg left an indelible mark on science fiction. In 1987, she landed the beloved role of Guinan in Star Trek: The Next Generation — a character that didn’t exist until she called Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry directly and asked to be a part of the show.
When Roddenberry inquired about her interest, Goldberg explained, "You couldn’t find Black people in science fiction of the past before Star Trek." Inspired by Nichelle Nichols’ groundbreaking portrayal of Lieutenant Uhura in the original Star Trek, Goldberg wanted to ensure that Black characters would also be seen in the future.
Just two days after their conversation, Roddenberry created Guinan specifically for her, later admitting, "It turns out, you’re right. I couldn’t find Black people in science fiction. I had no idea."
Goldberg’s memoir, Bits and Pieces, is available now, offering a deeper look into her trailblazing career and the roles she turned into Hollywood gold.
