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Midler's 'foolish' rejections: Sister Act, Misery
28 Jul
Summary
- Bette Midler turned down lead roles in Sister Act and Misery.
- She cited fan perception and fear of audience identification.
- Both films were major successes, one earning an Oscar.
Bette Midler recently disclosed that she declined two significant film roles, which later became major successes. She turned down the part of Sister Mary Clarence in the 1992 comedy Sister Act, famously portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg. Midler also rejected the lead role in the 1990 thriller Misery, a performance that earned Kathy Bates an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Speaking with Rolling Stone, Midler elaborated on her choices. She expressed concern that audiences might permanently associate actors with the intense events in their roles, specifically mentioning the scene in Misery where a character's foot is severed. Regarding Sister Act, she believed her fan base would not respond well to seeing her in a nun's habit, a sentiment her husband still calls foolish.
Both films achieved considerable commercial success. Sister Act and its sequel grossed nearly $300 million globally. Midler herself has enjoyed a distinguished career, earning Oscar nominations and starring in films like Beaches and Hocus Pocus.
