In 1990, Demi Moore had her breakthrough role as Molly Jensen in the romantic fantasy thriller Ghost. In addition to receiving five nominations at the 63rd Academy Awards, it was the highest-grossing film of 1990.
Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore deliver unforgettable performances in ‘Ghost’, captured here in one of the film’s pivotal scenes (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
Praised for her performance and nominated for a Golden Globe, Demi was 26 years old when filming for Ghost began shooting in July 1989.
She was born on November 11, 1962, in Roswell, New Mexico, and turned 27 on November 11, 1989.
Patrick Swayze was born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas, and was 36 years old when filming started. He turned 37 on August 18, 1989. Paramount Pictures theatrically released the movie on July 13, 1990.
Iconic Film Moments
She took a few pot-throwing lessons to prepare for the pottery wheel scene, recognized as one of the most iconic moments of ’90s cinema.
According to Wendy Leigh’s biography “Patrick Swayze: One Last Dance,” which you can buy on Amazon, Swayze rehearsed the pottery scene with his wife, Lisa Niemi, to overcome his embarrassment.
Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze in the iconic pottery scene from ‘Ghost’, showcasing their intense on-screen chemistry (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
“I just didn’t want my pot to wobble,” Demi said in a Ghost featurette about the pottery scene. “It was like a sure-fire sign that I was no good, and I was faking it.”
“When we did the rehearsal, I just remember that it was sexy enough that it embarrassed Patrick and Demi a little bit when they were doing it,” director Zucker said on the Ghost DVD commentary.”
On “The Drew Barrymore Show” in February 2024, Moore shared that she still keeps the “pitiful” pots, which hold special significance following Swayze’s passing in 2009 due to pancreatic cancer.
“Well, the first thing that just popped into my head was meeting Patrick Swayze for the first time going, ‘Oh you know trying to figure out his thing,'” Moore told Barrymore about the pottery scene. “And then he took his shirt off and I was like, ‘Oh, got it. Get on behind me.'”
Patrick Swayze as Sam Wheat, a spectral figure on a quest for justice and protection for his girlfriend Molly Jensen, played by Demi Moore, in ‘Ghost’ (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
Reflections on Ghost
Already known for her roles in Blame It on Rio (1984), St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), and About Last Night… (1986), Ghost made Demi Moore one of the highest-paid actresses of all time.
She talked about the movie in April 2013 at a 2013 AFI Night at the Movies screening of Ghost.
It’s shocking to think this movie was made 25 years ago and being a part of something that has had the beauty of truly standing up against the test of time. I was trying to think about what I could share with you that you don’t already know, and I was thinking about being a young actress and getting this script that Joe Rubin had written and finding it so fascinating and different.
It’s a love story, and it’s a guy—a dead guy—trying to save his wife—and there is a comedy part, but really, really it’s a love story, and I thought, Wow, this is really a recipe for disaster. [Laughs] It’s either going to be something really special, really amazing, or really an absolute bust, and the beauty of being at the beginning of your career, and it’s important to remember at any stage of your life is taking the risk is always where the reward is, and I think the beauty in this film is that none of us knew, and the alchemy that came together with Whoopi [Goldberg] and Patrick [Swayze], and our film editor, Walter Murch, and Adam Greenberg, our DP, it just had magic.
What’s interesting is that I learned one really big lesson from this film, which is that I went to see it and everyone was moved.
I loved it and was so excited for it to come out, and everyone said the reviews were coming out!’ and they were HORRIBLE! We were panned across the board, and I thought, Wow, this is really not good.
Director Jerry Zucker takes the helm in his solo directorial debut with ‘Ghost’, a film that redefined romantic thrillers (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
It’s something that touches people’s heart, it transcends and has comforted people’s soul in great loss and it has instilled a sense of hope and magic that those we love are always still with us. And I’m truly grateful to have been part of this film, and I’m honored to be sharing with you tonight.
I thank AFI and Target for bringing together this magical night for you to see it on the big screen.
I’m sure there was a huge boon in pottery classes that they hadn’t seen since macrame, Birkenstocks, and hairy legs were in fashion.
Fashion Highlight at the SAG Awards
In January 2016, Ghost actress Demi Moore turned heads at the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Demi Moore exudes elegance at the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards with her sophisticated updo and dramatic attire on January 30, 2016, at The Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)
At the SAG Awards, the mom-of-three took to the stage to present the Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture award to the cast of “Spotlight.”
Demi Moore stuns in a bespoke black Zac Posen gown at the SAG Awards, turning heads with her timeless style (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)
She wore a long black Gothic-romantic dress that fit her like a glove. The collared dress had short sleeves and ruffled detailing at the trimming and hemline.
Demi Moore stuns in a Gothic black gown from Zac Posen (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)
It also featured a low-cut neckline and sheer striped detailing that showed her underwear. The dress was by Zac Posen but not from the latest collection. Demi dug into her closet and pulled out this beautiful, more than a-decade-old creation.
Demi Moore wears bronze-colored makeup on the red carpet (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)
The American fashion designer was surprised to see the actress wearing a vintage piece from his spring 2003 collection — his second collection ever!
He took to Instagram to express his excitement, posting two photos and a video of Demi walking in his creation.
Demi Moore wears a vintage Zac Posen gown on the black carpet of the SAG Awards (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)
The “Indecent Proposal” star accessorized the black number with sparkling jewelry, including silver-and-black drop earrings and bangles on both wrists.
She wore her raven hair in a chic updo and let a few tendrils frame her gorgeously made-up face. Demi rounded out her look with a pair of Christian Louboutin “Body Strass” pumps from the brand’s Fall 2013 collection.
A close-up of Demi Moore’s dazzling Christian Louboutin ‘Body Strass’ pumps, adding a touch of sparkle to her SAG Awards ensemble (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)
They are made of mesh with leather trims, crystal embellishments, and about 4.7-inch heels.
Demi Moore’s feet in black “Body Strass” pumps (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)
These Christian Louboutin pumps are no longer available, but a similar style called “Follies Lace” can be purchased at Mytheresa and Nordstrom.
Christian Louboutin “Follies Lace” Pumps, $795