THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'The Color Purple' 38 years later

Olivia SinghJan 16, 2024, 10:47 IST

Whoopi Goldberg as Celie in "The Color Purple."Warner Brothers/Getty Images

Steven Spielberg's film adaptation of Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" was released in 1985.
The movie starred Whoopi Goldberg as Celie, Oprah Winfrey as Sofia, and Margaret Avery as Shug.

Nearly four decades ago, Steven Spielberg's adaption of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Color Purple" was released in theaters.

The 1985 movie starred Whoopi Goldberg as the main character and landed 11 total Academy Award nominations. Walker's novel also spawned a Broadway production in the 2000s followed by a Tony-winning revival. The legacy of "The Color Purple" continues with a reimagining directed by Blitz Bazawule and set for release on Monday.

Here's what the cast of Spielberg's iteration has been up to since the film's release.

Whoopi Goldberg, who played protagonist Celie Harris Johnson, is now an EGOT winner.

Left: Whoopi Goldberg as Celie Harris Johnson in "The Color Purple." Right: Goldberg in October 2023.Warner Bros.; Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Akosua Busia, who portrayed Celie's younger sister, Nettie Harris, appeared on Broadway.

Left: Akosua Busia as Nettie Harris in "The Color Purple." Right: Busia in March 2017.Warner Bros.; Steve Jennings/Getty Images for Curran Theater

After playing the strong-willed Sofia, Oprah Winfrey became the queen of talk-show TV.

Left: Oprah Winfrey as Sofia in "The Color Purple." Right: Winfrey in December 2023.Warner Bros.; Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Margaret Avery, who earned an Oscar nomination for her role as Shug Avery, recently appeared in "The Nana Project."

Left: Margaret Avery as Shug Avery in "The Color Purple." Right: Avery in December 2023.Warner Bros.; FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

Desreta Jackson made her film debut as young Celie in "The Color Purple." She's now the founder of hair and beauty line BlackSilk.

Left: Desreta Jackson as young Celie in "The Color Purple." Right: Jackson in May 2018.Warner Bros.; David Livingston/Getty Images

Danny Glover played Albert Johnson, aka Mister. The actor is known for his role as Roger Murtaugh in the "Lethal Weapon" franchise.

Left: Danny Glover as Mister in "The Color Purple." Right: Glover in December 2023.Warner Bros.; Mark Von Holden/Variety via Getty Images

Willard E. Pugh played Mister's son, Harpo Johnson. He continues acting, most recently in the 2023 film "Lucky Louie."

Left: Willard E. Pugh as Harpo in "The Color Purple." Right: Pugh in November 2022.Warner Bros.; Elyse Jankowski/Getty Images

Rae Dawn Chong, who played Mary Agnes/Squeak, recently appeared on season one of "Interview With the Vampire."

Left: Rae Dawn Chong as Squeak in "The Color Purple." Right: Chong in November 2022.Warner Bros.; Johnny Louis/FilmMagic

Adolph Caesar, who played Old Mister Johnson, died of a heart attack in March 1986 at 52 years old.

Left: Adolph Caesar as Old Mister in "The Color Purple." Right: Caesar in March 1985.Warner Bros.; Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Laurence Fishburne had a small role as a musician named Swain. He's now a Tony winner, an Emmy winner, and an Oscar nominee.

Left: Laurence Fishburne as Swain in "The Color Purple." Right: Fishburne in September 2023.Warner Bros.; John Nacion/Getty Images

Dana Ivey, who played the mayor's wife Miss Millie, is a five-time Tony nominee.

Left: Dana Ivey as Miss Millie in "The Color Purple." Right: Ivey in April 2023.Warner Bros.; Bruce Glikas/WireImage

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