‘Ghost’ hit theaters on July 13, 1990, going on to win three awards at the 1991 Academy Awards
Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty; CBS via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Molly Ringwald revealed she regrets turning down Demi Moore’s role in the hit 1990 film Ghost
- Ghost earned $505.7 million at the box office and won three Academy Awards in 1991
- Bruce Willis has also opened up about turning down a role in the film, later calling himself a “knucklehead” for not understanding its concept
Molly Ringwald is opening up about her decision to turn down Demi Moore’s role in Ghost.
Ghost hit theaters on July 13, 1990, going on to win three awards at the 1991 Academy Awards. The film follows Sam Wheat, a murdered banker who returns to earth as a ghost, communicating with his girlfriend Molly (played by Moore) to protect her from the business partner who orchestrated his death.
The film — also starring Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg — raked in a whopping $505.7 million at the box office.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Credit: Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic
Speaking on the Tuesday, Aug. 4 episode of Watch What Happens Live!, 58-year-old Ringwald was asked to name “one project she still regrets turning down.”
“Um, Ghost,” she replied.
She added: “But Demi is great in it. So, good for Demi. She did a great job.”
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
Cohen then interjected: “Not to make this worse for you, but like that would have changed the entire trajectory of…”
“I know,” Ringwald said, adding: “It was just was not meant to be.”
Other actors have also opened up about turning down roles in the film. Bruce Willis previously opened up to The New York Times reporter David Sheff in 1996 about turning down the opportunity to play opposite his then-wife, Moore, calling himself a “knucklehead” for saying no.
“I just didn’t get it,” Willis said of the film’s concept. “I said, ‘Hey, the guy’s dead. How are you gonna have a romance?’ Famous last words.”
Read the full article here






