Penny Marshall’s 1996 Christmas movie “The Preacher’s Wife” is a fantasy comedy-drama starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston. It’s a remake of the 1947 film “The Bishop’s Wife,” itself based on Robert Nathan’s 1928 novel of the same name.
The movie’s cast also includes Courtney B. Vance, Gregory Hines, Jenifer Lewis, Loretta Devine, and Lionel Richie.
29 years since its release on December 13, 1996, let’s take a peek at the cast of “The Preacher’s Wife” as they looked then, and as they look now…
Denzel Washington (Dudley)
The brilliant and iconic Denzel Washington played Dudley, a witty and debonair angel, in “The Preacher’s Wife.” Washington was just shy of his 42nd birthday when the movie hit theaters.
Washington was an established superstar at the time — he’d already won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role in 1989’s epic historical war drama movie “Glory.” Other films he’d appeared in included 1987’s epic biographical drama “Cry Freedom,” 1992’s epic biographical drama “Malcolm X,” and 1993’s legal drama “Philadelphia” (per IMDb).
GettyWashington is now 70 and is nothing short of bona fide Hollywood royalty. His many credits since “The Preacher’s Wife” include 1999’s biographical sports drama “The Hurricane,” 2001’s crime thriller “Training Day” (for which he won the Best Actor Academy Award), 2004’s action thriller “Man on Fire,” 2007’s biographical crime drama “American Gangster,” 2016’s period drama “Fences,” and 2024’s epic historical sequel “Gladiator II.”
GettyWhitney Houston (Julia Coleman Biggs)
Whitney Houston was, of course, far better known as a singer than an actress when she appeared in “The Preacher’s Wife,” but she had appeared in two movies before it.
She was 33 at the time and her two film credits were 1992’s romantic thriller drama “The Bodyguard” and 1995’s romantic comedy-drama “Waiting to Exhale” (per IMDb).
GettyHouston tragically passed away on February 11, 2012. She was 48 and drowned in the bathtub of her California home, brought on by the effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use.
After appearing in “The Preacher’s Wife,” as well as continuing her spectacular singing career, Houston also appeared in more films. Most notably, she starred in the 2012 musical film “Sparkle,” which she also executive produced and which was released posthumously.
GettyCourtney B. Vance (Reverend Henry Biggs)
Courtney B. Vance played Reverend Henry Biggs, the pastor of a small struggling African American Baptist church in a poverty-stricken area of New York City, in “The Preacher’s Wife.” He was 36 when it hit theaters.
Vance had been acting for over a decade in 1996. His movie credits included 1987’s war movie “Hamburger Hill,” 1990’s spy thriller “The Hunt for Red October,” and 1995’s drama “Dangerous Minds”(per IMDb).
GettyVance is now 65 and his filmography has grown significantly since 1996. His movie credits now include 2000’s adventure drama “Space Cowboys,” 2011’s supernatural horror sequel “Final Destination 5,” 2015’s sci-fi action flick “Terminator Genisys, 2016’s festive comedy “Office Christmas Party,” and 2017’s action adventure film “The Mummy.”
GettyGregory Hines (Joe Hamilton)
Actor, dancer, choreographer, and singer Gregory Hines played real estate developer Joe Hamilton in “The Preacher’s Wife.” Hines was 50 at the time of the movie’s release.
He had done his fair share of acting by 1996 and his movie credits included 1981’s crime horror “Wolfen,” 1984’s musical comedy “The Muppets Take Manhattan,” 1986’s horror comedy “Running Scare,” and 1994’s comedy “Renaissance Man” (per IMDb).
GettyHines passed away in 2003 at the age of 57. He died from liver cancer at his California home.
After his appearance in “The Preacher’s Wife,” most of Hines’ acting was on television. However, he did appear in movies like 1999’s drama “The Tic Code” and 2000’s romantic drama “Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her.”
GettyJenifer Lewis (Margueritte Coleman)
Jenifer Lewis was 39 when “The Preacher’s Wife” was released. In the movie, she played Julia’s sharp-tongued mother, Margueritte Coleman.
Lewis had been acting for around 20 years by 1996. Her movie credits at that time included 1988’s buddy cop action flick “Red Heat,” 1988’s musical comedy drama “Beaches,” 1992’s musical crime comedy “Sister Act,” and 1995’s crime movie “Dead Presidents” (per IMDb).
GettyLewis is now 68 and still acting prolifically. Her post-“The Preacher’s Wife” movie credits include 1999’s superhero comedy “Mystery Men,” 2000’s survival drama “Cast Away,” 2004’s animated adventure film “Shark Tale,” 2006’s animated sports comedy “Cars” and its 2011 and 2017 sequels, and 2019’s supernatural animated comedy “The Addams Family.”
GettyLoretta Devine (Beverly)
Loretta Devine played Reverend Henry Biggs’ secretary Beverly in “The Preacher’s Wife.” She was 37 when the movie released in theaters.
At the time, her movie credits went back seven years and included 1981’s drama film “Will,” 1988’s thriller “Little Nikita,” 1990’s romantic drama “Stanley & Iris,” 1993’s buddy action comedy “Amos & Andrew,” and 1995’s romantic comedy-drama “Waiting to Exhale” (per IMDb).
GettyDevine has appeared in many movies since 1996, including 1998’s slasher horror “Urban Legend” and its 2000 sequel, 2000’s fantasy rom-com “What Women Want,” 2001’s drama “I Am Sam,” 2004’s crime drama “Crash,” and 2010’s black comedy “Death at a Funeral.”
GettyLionel Richie (Bristloe)
Lionel Richie is, of course, best known for being a singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and, more recently, a television personality. However, he has acted a couple of times and played jazz club owner Britsloe in “The Preacher’s Wife.” Richie was 47 when the film was released.
His only previous acting credit at the time was in 1977’s biographical movie “Scott Joplin,” in which he played a minstrel singer alongside his Commodores bandmates (per IMDb).
GettyRichie is now 76 and has focused far more on his music and television endeavors than acting since 1996. In fact, his only subsequent acting credit came in 1998’s drama movie “Pariah.”
Getty“The Preacher’s Wife” may not be the first movie you think of watching this festive season. However, its stellar cast and uplifting nature mean it’s well worth putting on your “to view” list over the holidays.
May Whitney Houston and Gregory Hines rest in eternal peace.
