Get to Know the Color Purple Cast
The Iconic 1985 Film
The Color Purple is a 1985 American period drama film directed by Steven Spielberg, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Alice Walker. It was the first major studio film to have an all-black cast in a leading role. The film stars Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, and Oprah Winfrey, and features music by Quincy Jones.
The A-List Cast
The Color Purple was an incredible success, and the cast was made up of some of the most famous actors and actresses of the time. Whoopi Goldberg starred as Celie, a young African American woman living in the rural South of the early 1900s. Danny Glover played her husband, Mister, and Oprah Winfrey played her best friend, Sofia. Other notable cast members include Margaret Avery as Shug Avery, Adolph Caesar as Harpo, Rae Dawn Chong as Squeak, and Akosua Busia as Nettie.
The Legacy of the Color Purple
The Color Purple was a critical and commercial success, and it received 11 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress. Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey were both nominated for their performances as Celie and Sofia, respectively. The film also won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama, and Whoopi Goldberg won the Golden Globe for Best Actress.
Celebrating the Cast
In 2017, the cast of The Color Purple reunited for a special screening of the film at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. The event was a celebration of the film's success and a tribute to the cast members who helped make it possible. The event was attended by Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery, Rae Dawn Chong, Akosua Busia, and Oprah Winfrey, who was honored with a standing ovation.
The Cast of The Color Purple Today
Though it has been nearly 40 years since the release of The Color Purple, the cast members are still very active in their careers. Whoopi Goldberg is a television personality, producer, and author. Danny Glover is an award-winning actor, producer, and director. Oprah Winfrey is a media mogul and philanthropist. Margaret Avery is still acting and recently starred in the Netflix series She's Gotta Have It. Rae Dawn Chong is an actress and director, and Akosua Busia is an actress and poet.