Whitney on Film

While everyone knew Whitney Houston as a great voice, she was also an actress and will be returning to the big screen later this August after a sixteen year hiatus in the film Sparkle (Sony, 2012). Starring American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and singer CeeLo Green, Sparkle is a remake of the 1976 film about three church choir singers who form a singing group and deal with drugs and fame. The original film starred Fame's Irene Cara and Phillip Michael Thomas from Miami Vice.

Whitney played a pop diva who hires Kevin Costner as her guard after threats from a stalker in her first film The Bodyguard (1992). Written by The Big Chill's Lawrence Kasdan with Steve McQueen and Diana Ross in mind, the film was notable for her mega-hit song "I Will Always Love You."

Kevin Costner as a former Secret Service agent turned personal bodyguard

With Costner in a scene at The Ivy in LA

Perhaps her best film was the 1995 chick flick Waiting to Exhale. Based on Terry McMillan's novel, the film follows four African American women and their relationships. Houston holds her own in this film with Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine and Gregory Hines and naturally there is a great soundtrack.

Director Penny Marshall's The Preacher's Wife followed in 1996 with Denzel Washington and Courtney B. Vance. The film was a remake of The Bishop's Wife with Loretta Young, Cary Grant and David Niven and considered a moderate hit.

Houston with Denzel Washington in The Preacher's Wife

With actor Courtney B. Vance as the preacher

R.I.P. Whitney.

Photo Credits: Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers