In a new interview, the 69-year-old 'Equalizer' actor shares their memories of working with late legendary singer on the classic 1996 film 'The Preacher's Wife'.
- Jun 18, 2024
AceShowbiz - Nearly 30 years after starring as Dudley Biggs in the 1996 movie "The Preacher's Wife", Denzel Washington, now 69, fondly recalled his time working alongside Whitney Houston, who played Julia Biggs.
Speaking at his African Black Film Festival retrospective on June 15, Washington expressed his protective instincts towards Houston. "I felt like I always wanted to protect her," he said.
Host Chaz Ebert pointed out Houston's vulnerability, which Washington acknowledged. "So you really got that?" he asked. "I always felt like I wanted to protect her," Washington reiterated. "She wanted to be so tough, but she really wasn't."
The film also featured Courtney B. Vance as Houston's husband, Reverend Henry Biggs. Vance previously shared with PEOPLE in November that his experience with Houston greatly impacted his career. "I loved her so much," he said. "For me to be playing her husband, I was in a state of euphoric shock."
Vance respected Houston's privacy on set. "We just were on sets together and respecting each other," he said. "But I didn't go into the depth of what was happening in her life."
Houston tragically passed away in February 2012 at the age of 48 due to accidental drowning caused by heart disease and cocaine use. She left behind a legacy of memorable performances, including her iconic role in 'The Preacher's Wife.'
