Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey Reunite for Nostalgic Beaches Gathering
In a heartwarming blast from the past, iconic actress Bette Midler turned back the clocks on Thursday by reuniting with her Beaches co-star Barbara Hershey. This emotional meeting comes a full 38 years after the release of their beloved 1988 tearjerker film, directed by the late Garry Marshall.
A Legendary On-Screen Friendship Rekindled
The 80-year-old Midler took to Instagram to share a delightful selfie with Hershey, 78, captioning the post with palpable excitement. 'It’s a BEACHES reunion! Here I am with the great Barbara Hershey! We go back a-ways!!!' she wrote, instantly sparking joy among fans of the classic movie.
In Beaches, Midler portrayed C.C. Bloom, a vibrant New York actress and singer, while Hershey played Hillary Whitney, a San Francisco heiress and lawyer. The film follows their deep, lifelong friendship that begins with a chance encounter under a New Jersey boardwalk in 1958. Their powerful performances earned widespread critical acclaim, with Midler securing two Grammy Awards in 1990 for the signature track Wind Beneath My Wings, which won both Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
Reflections on a Happy Film Set and Legacy
Discussing her cherished memories of working with director Garry Marshall, who passed away in 2016, Midler shared with PEOPLE magazine, 'It's in the midst of time, but I remember it being an incredibly happy set.' She praised Marshall's unique talent for assembling talented casts, noting his penchant for including cameos from his actor improv friends, which she described as 'absolutely worth the price of admission.'
The Honolulu-born star has previously expressed a strong desire to revisit her role as C.C. Bloom in a potential sequel to the 1988 adaptation of Iris Rainer Dart's bestselling novel. 'I kind of would like to revisit her, but in a completely different way,' Midler told Newsweek, acknowledging the passage of time. 'I've aged, the character has got to be my age.' She highlighted the vast catalogs of music available today, including songs that newer generations might not have heard, suggesting it would be 'marvelous' to explore the character at this stage of life.
Midler's Recent Projects and Future Hopes
When audiences last saw C.C. Bloom, she had gained primary custody of her late friend's daughter, Victoria Essex, portrayed by Grace Johnston. Beyond Beaches, Midler has kept busy with other projects, including a role in Jocelyn Moorhouse's comedy The Fabulous Four, where she played widow-turned-bride Marilyn. She humorously described her casting as being 'trussed up like a Christmas goose' due to her character's comedic and conflict-driven nature.
Looking ahead, Midler has urged Disney to expedite the script for a proposed final instalment of the Hocus Pocus trilogy, in which she stars alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. 'I think if they're gonna, they oughta, because time is not just marching, time is barrel-***ing to the finish line,' she told Busy This Week in 2024, emphasizing the urgency to 'get us while we're still breathing.'
This reunion not only celebrates the enduring legacy of Beaches but also highlights Midler's ongoing passion for her craft and her cherished collaborations in the entertainment industry.
