Nowadays, much of Whoopi Goldberg‘s onscreen time is spent as the moderator on ABC’s “The View.” Still, she continues to act and has been cast in a new series, “Women Like Us.” Recently, the Oscar-winning actress opened up about how she almost missed out on one of her most iconic roles, Ola Mae Brown, in 1990’s “Ghost,” starring Patrick Swayze.
5Goldberg appeared on the “Baby, This is Keke Palmer” podcast in August 2026, sitting down for an hour-plus-long conversation where they discussed 70-year-olds’ life, career, and how her role in “Ghost” almost went to someone else.
When talking about the audition process, she said, “Every black woman and their mama was there. They got women out the grave to come audition for this, and I hadn’t gotten a call.” After that, Goldberg stated that she learned of the movie from a friend, Beverly Todd.
From there, the “View” cohost shared that she called her agent about the movie, and he told her that the team behind the film felt she was too well known for the role. She recalled, “He said, ‘We suggested. They didn’t want you because they felt you would take people out of the movie.’”
Goldberg went on to state that the casting director for “Ghost” had advocated for her but that the rest of the team refused to even speak to her about the role.
Whoopi Says Patrick Swayze Influenced Her Casting For ‘Ghost’
5Goldberg continued this line of conversation by discussing how the movie came together, noting that Swayze then came along for his role as the male lead. At this time, she was in Alabama shooting “Long Walk Home.”
While on the set, Goldberg received a call from her agent, asking, “Remember that movie they didn’t want you for? I said, ‘Yeah.’ He goes, ‘Well, they hired someone, and he’s gonna be the lead, and he wants to be in it with you if it interests you.’”
Goldberg went on to say that Swayze and the film’s director, Jerry Zucker, traveled to Montgomery, Alabama, to meet with her about the movie. She recalled them having “some fun” and doing improv. During the conversation, she called the late Swayze “a really funny, wonderful man.”
She also said that she “loved the director” and that he and Swayze had flown into Montgomery for only a day while she was working on “Long Walk Home.”
‘Ghost’ Went On To Become A Major Box Office Success
5Paramount Pictures released “Ghost” on July 13, 1990, with the film debuting at number two at the box office, bringing in $12,191,540 in its opening weekend. Notably, “Die Hard 2” became the top movie of that weekend. However, the movie achieved a rare feat in its second weekend, increasing its box office and rising to the top spot.
According to Box Office Mojo, “Ghost” has since earned over $500 million, including international markets. Regarding the cast, in addition to Swayze and Goldberg, the movie starred Demi Moore as the female lead. Currently, the film is available to rent or buy from platforms such as Apple TV and Amazon’s Prime Video.
Whoopi Says Her Iconic Career Doesn’t Translate To Opportunities
5Goldberg is among the most decorated actresses in Hollywood, officially achieving EGOT status in 2002 and becoming the first black woman to do so. For context, the EGOT refers to a person who has won all four of the major awards in American entertainment: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony.
Still, during her appearance on “Baby, This is Keke Palmer,” the “View” cohost stated that she still has to express interest in other films and shows. According to her, “Every accolade I’ve received, I’m grateful for, but it doesn’t always translate into work.”
She went on, “It’s nice that I have all those things, but do I constantly have to say to people, ‘You know I’d like to work with you?’ Yeah, because I don’t come right up in your mind. I’m not the first one you think of. So, I constantly say to people, ‘Yes, I’m still open for this.’”
Goldberg then stated that this is “especially the case now” because people think her work on “The View” means she’s unavailable for other projects given that it’s a daily commitment. Regarding balancing her hosting duties and acting, she stated, “If I need to go, I go.”
Goldberg Is Set To Star In A New Series
5Deadline reported in July 2026 that Goldberg had been cast in a Netflix series, “Women Like Us,” with filming set to begin in the fall. The series will also star icons such as Jennifer Lewis, Vanessa Williams, and Vicica A. Fox. It’s being produced by Macro Film Studios and the Obamas’ Higher Ground company.
The show will revolve around a widow, presumably Goldberg’s character, who goes on a trip with her friends to the Hamptons on what would have been her 30th anniversary. Tasha Smith is directing the series.