Denzel Washington Reflects On Working With Whitney Houston In ‘The Preacher’s Wife’
Denzel Washington fondly recalls his time working with the late Whitney Houston on the 1996 film The Preacher’s Wife. At 69, Denzel shared his experiences at the American Black Film Festival on June 15, reflecting on their collaboration nearly 30 years ago.
Denzel and Whitney played the roles of Dudley and Julia Biggs in the beloved movie. He revealed his protective instincts towards Whitney, famously known for her hit I Will Always Love You.
“I felt like I always wanted to protect her,” Denzel said, emphasizing her vulnerability beneath a tough exterior.
Chaz Ebert, host of the festival and widow of film critic Roger Ebert, noted this vulnerability, to which Denzel responded with, “So you really got that?”
Her affirmation brought laughter from the audience as Denzel added, “I always felt like I wanted to protect her. You know? She wanted to be so tough, but she really wasn’t. That’s all. Okay.”
The Preacher’s Wife, directed by Penny Marshall, also featured notable performances by Courtney B. Vance, Jenifer Lewis, Gregory Hines, and Justin Pierre Edmund. The film, a remake of the 1947 movie The Bishop’s Wife, included appearances by Lionel Richie, Loretta Devine, and Whitney’s mother, Cissy Houston.
Whitney’s untimely death in February 2012, at the age of 48, shocked the world. She died of accidental drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use as contributing factors. Despite her struggles, the I Will Always Love You hitmaker formed close friendships with her co-stars during the filming.
Courtney B. Vance, who played Whitney’s on-screen husband Reverend Henry Biggs, shared how working with her profoundly impacted his career.
“I loved her so much. For me to be playing her husband, I was in a state of euphoric shock,” Courtney stated.
He described their mutual respect on set, avoiding delving into her personal life. “We just were on sets together and respecting each other,” he noted.
Courtney revealed being deeply affected by Houston’s passing and chose not to attend her funeral. “It might’ve hurt my spirit. And I have in my mind our time together and it was beautiful,” he shared.
At the festival, Denzel also introduced a first look at his upcoming Netflix production, The Piano Lesson. The film, starring his son John David Washington and Samuel L. Jackson, does not yet have a release date.
