‘The Color Purple’ Cast: What Everyone’s Up To 40 Years Later
Even 40 years after its premiere, “The Color Purple” continues to have a significant cultural impact. The story opens with Celie, whose heartbreaking journey sets the tone for a tale of pain, resilience, and self-discovery. Adapted from Alice Walker’s iconic novel, the film brings viewers into Celie’s world as she learns to reclaim her voice and heal from generational trauma.
Its unforgettable performances, colorful cinematography, and vivid storytelling still evoke the same nostalgic feeling as when they first watched the film. Let’s revisit the actors and find out where they are now.
Harpo
Harpo, played by Willard E. Pugh, is Mister’s son, a gentle, emotional man who struggles to live up to his father’s standard as a patriarch and as a model of Black masculinity in the rural South. Under the guise of his father’s influence, he tries to control Celie through violence, which ends up damaging their marriage. Over time, he becomes more comfortable with his softer nature and domestic interests, showing how harmful gender expectations are to his relationship and his sense of self.
Willard E. Pugh
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Interviewing Actor Willard E. Pugh Original “Harpo” The Color Purple
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Since his memorable role in “The Color Purple,” he has remained active in the entertainment industry as an actor and producer. His projects include “Social Media Cowboys,” where he plays the Sheriff; “She’s So Hot,” as Father Smith; and “M35,” as Gunther. For 11 years, he taught broadcasting and film at Chaffey College, and in 2024, he appeared on “The Able Show” to discuss his career.
Sofia
Sofia, played by Oprah Winfrey, is a bold, emotionally and physically strong Black woman who refuses to submit to abuse from any man or the racist white power structure around her. She initially appears as fiercely independent and runs a matriarchal household with Harpo, inspiring Celie by fighting back against mistreatment. Sofia embodies resilience and is a powerful role model of resistance for Celie and other women.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is focused on curating media, philanthropy, and thought leadership. She continues to run her influential book club, to promote her popular podcast, “The Oprah Podcast,” and to provide versatile programming on her network, “OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.”
Mary Agnes, aka “Squeak”
Squeak, played by Rae Dawn Chong, is Harpo’s new girlfriend who worked as the waitress and singer at his juke joint after Celie leaves. Initially, she was a submissive significant other; however, her jealousy towards Sofia surfaced. As the story progresses, she finds her own voice, inspired by the other women’s growing refusal to accept abuse.
Rae Dawn Chong
Rae Dawn Chong is still active, with occasional screen work, interviews, writing, and spiritual/healing work. In recent years, she has appeared in independent and streaming projects, such as the drama “May December,” which explores her experiences in Hollywood, and has been developing personal projects, including a memoir. She also devotes time to humanitarian and consciousness-focused pursuits, such as studying and practicing quantum healing hypnosis, while utilizing social media and podcasts to share motivational content.
Ol’ Mister Johnson
As the father to Mister, he represented the older generation of Black male patriarchy that normalized cruelty and misogyny in the family. He criticized and pressured Mister, reinforcing abusive attitudes and controlling behaviors that Mister mimicked.
Adolph Caesar
The Oscar-nominated actor, Adolph Caesar, passed away in 1986 after suffering a heart attack while working on the film “Tough Guys” at the age of 52.
Young Celie
Young Celie, played by Desreta Jackson, is the teenage version of Celie Harris, whose early life showed her being taken from her abusive home and essentially sold into marriage to Mister, establishing the cycle of physical and emotional violence she endures as an adult.
Desreta Jackson
Jackson remains active as an actress, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, working through her company, Desicon Pictures, to produce educational and culturally focused film and TV content. She is also focused on running BlackSilk Products, a wellness and hair-care brand connected to her book and podcast, “The Black Hair Conspiracy.”
Nettie
Nettie, played by Akosua Busia, is Celie’s loving younger sister and the first person to protect and encourage her before Mister’s sexual advances violently separated them. She went on to work as a missionary in Africa while raising Celie’s children.
Akosua Busia
Akosua Busia has re-emerged in front of and behind the camera after several years of focusing on raising her daughter and working intermittently in theatre. She acted and directed in the 2024 film “In Search of a Blessed Life” and was featured in the documentary “Finding Home: The Art of Black Women in their Diasporas.” She continues to build on her legacy through acting, stage work and creative leadership in film and documentaries.
Shug Avery
Shug Avery, the glamorous, independent blues singer who arrives at Mister’s doorstep as his longtime mistress but unexpectedly becomes Celie’s closest friend and protector. Through nurturing Celie, encouraging her sexuality and self-worth, and finding the courage to leave Mister, Shug was the catalyst to Celie’s self-liberation.
Margaret Avery
Margaret Avery is still actively working as an actress, with recent roles in the television series “A Man On The Inside” and “Genius,” as well as a spot on “The Rookie.” When she is not on screen, she is engaging in mentoring and advocacy work with at-risk teenagers and battered women, drawing on her background as a trained psychotherapist. In recent interviews, she speaks about continuing to act in her late seventies, her passion for better representation in Hollywood, and her role as a spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America.
Albert “Mister” Johnson
Albert Johnson, played by Danny Glover, is Celie’s abusive husband, whose patriarchal and misogynistic oppression impacted Celie’s life. Beating her, separating her from her sister Nettie, and using humiliation tactics were just a few ways he kept her submissive for years. After Celie gained her self-independence and left him, Mister quietly redeems himself by giving Celie the life she deserved: to be reunited with her children and her sister Nettie.
Danny Glover
Even in his late 70s, Danny Glover remains active in film and television, with several acting projects he completed for 2025, including the feature “Killing Winston Jones” and the series “The Prosecutor.” Beyond screen work, he remains engaged in political and social activism, even speaking publicly on civil rights, labor rights, and humanitarian issues.
Celie Harris-Johnson
Celie captured our hearts as the poor, abused young Black woman in the 1900s. The story began with her being beaten down, isolated, and convinced she had little worth. Over the progression of the story, viewers watched as she found her voice and reclaimed her independence.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is still serving as the lead moderator on ABC’s “The View,” where she regularly offers political and cultural commentary, especially about the current Trump administration. Along with working on the talk show, she has taken on a recurring special role on the long-running Italian soap opera, “Un Posto al Sole,” with episodes set to air in 2026. In addition, she is promoting her 2024 memoir, “Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me,” while making international festival appearances in Italy and receiving recognition, including the Taobuk Award for the book.
