Kitty Kelley’s scandalous, very unauthorized Oprah Winfrey biography will be getting the movie treatment, EW has confirmed. Oprah: A Biography has been optioned by Larry Thompson, who brought us biopics about Lucy and Desi Arnaz, Sonny and Cher, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor — with the project on track to debut around the same time as Winfrey’s Sept. 2011 sign-off. The book, which Winfrey dismissed as a “so-called biography,” included hints at drug use, a secret birth father, and a liaison with John Tesh in the talk queen’s past — so while it won’t likely get a prime promotion spot on Oprah’s couch, it certainly isn’t likely to be dull.
The bigger question: Who might play Oprah? I’d want to see a Viola Davis or a Jennifer Hudson — an actress with enough spirit, spark, and gravitas to take on the Almighty Oprah — but, honestly, I can’t think of anyone who’d want to incur her wrath by daring to do so. Do you have any thoughts, PopWatchers? And do you even want to see Oprah’s life played out on the small or big screen? And most importantly of all, who could play John Tesh?
Betty White of course.
Meryl Streep
Chandra Wilson
John Tesh should play John Tesh. I don’t think he’s doing much anyways.
Kirk Lazarus.
Meryl Streep is the only actress talented enough to portray a woman as complex, dynamic, and brilliant as Oprah. If anyone else plays her it will look like a cartoon and the movie will be cheesy.
Plus even Oprah wouldn’t have the nerve to go against Meryl Streep.
Okay..i will play her
Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) as Oprah, Justin Bieber as John Tesh!
Wasn’t Oprah open about her cocaine use? I don’t follow her or watch her show, but I always thought she was open and honest about being strung out on coke when she was younger. And John Tesh? Seriously? If she was going to take a pale ride, I would think she’d aim higher than him.
That was great. I almost spit out my vodka and lemonade when I read the “pale ride” comment
Keenan Thompson.
Tracy Morgan as Oprah. He has experience with the black crusaders already so he should be safe from the wrath that will come with playing her.
No black actor of note would dare.
How about John Travolta?? He’d be GREAT!
I agree…besides Jennifer is Oprah’s BFF.
Martin Lawrence as Oprah and Will Ferrell as Gayle King.
Oh God, please let Mo’Nique play Oprah!
Or Tom Cruise!
Hoda Kotbe as Oprah and Kathy Lee Gifford as Gayle King. Or they could switch–whatever.
Beyonce in a fat suit as Oprah, Kate Gosselin in blackface as Gayle, and Kathy Griffin as The Beaver.