Bette Midler

I could imagine Bette doing it, but Whoopi is more funny because she´s black which really distunguishes her from all the nuns, even physically.

Whoopi delivered those lines very much in the Bette Midler style. Perhaps that is a sure sign that those lines were written with Bette Midler in mind.

Midler turned it down because she's too Jewish to play a Catholic. I'm not making this up, unfortunately. She turned it down because of religious bigotry.


"Baba Booey! Baba Booey!"

Whoopi is a much better comedic actress than Bette. I'm glad Whoopi Goldberg did the Sister Act movie. She did a great job.

https://www.datalounge.com/thread/18962444-sister-act-turns-25-today.

Interesting Facts: The original screenplay was written for Bette Midler who eventually turned it down and later admitted to regretting doing so The screenplay was rewritten by various writers including Carrie Fisher Whoopi did not enjoy filming the movie due the constant rewrites. Much of the script wasn't film-able when production started. Whoopi was so unhappy with the way Disney handled production she refused to promote the film. Bill Nunn's character of Eddie was originally supposed to have a bigger role and be Dolores love interest but it was cut. Lauren Holly was originally considered for the role of Sr. Mary Robe [more inside]

When Midler bowed out they offered to buy out Harvey Keitel's contract but he agreed to stay.

The role wasn't really right for Midler. Her best roles are as a bitch with a smart mouth,but Deloris really does need to have a certain warmth and good nature.

Midler is also notoriously difficult to work with, maybe they just thought better of giving her the job.