How Tony Goldwyn Convinced Ghost Costar Whoopi Goldberg to Join His New Film 34 Years After Their Hit (Exclusive)

For Tony Goldwyn, getting his friend and ex The ghost actress Whoopi Goldberg will star in his new film Ezra be as simple as sending an email.

That, in fact, was all he had to do.

Goldwyn, 64, tells PEOPLE that Goldberg, 68, jumped at the chance to be part of the new comedy drama about uptight comedian Max (Bobby Cannavale) who kidnaps his son Ezra (William A. Fitzgerald) from his estranged wife Jenna (Rose Byrne) and takes him on a cross-country trip to perform a stand-up set at Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Goldberg has a supporting role as Jayne, Max’s comedy manager, in the film written by Goldwyn’s longtime friend Tony Spiridakis.

“Tony and I were talking like, ‘Who would be great as a comedy host?’ And when we talked about Whoopi, I said, ‘Well, if we can get Whoopi. Let me write to her and see if she’s even there,’ because she would be a total host if she had — one of the goddesses of American comedy,” says Goldwyn.

Whoopi Goldberg on how Patrick Swayze convinced her to do it The ghost: ‘He was sexy and cute’

Whoopi Goldberg and Tony Goldwyn on April 3rd.

Sherly Rabbani/Shutterstock

“So I just sent an email to Whoopi, who I’m very good friends with and have a long history with. I sent her an email. I said, ‘I’m doing this project with Bobby and Bob De Niro and we had this part and I don’t know if you guys are free,'” he continues.

“She just answered, going, ‘I’m in.’ I said, ‘Do you want to read the script?’ She said, ‘No, I’m in favor.’ I sent her the script, of course, but she said yes before. She just says, ‘That sounds like so much fun.’ And that’s Whoopi,” says Goldwyn.

Bobby Cannavale and Rose Byrne star in Heartwarming Ezra Trailer directed by Tony Goldwyn

The couple first shared the screen in the 1990 romantic drama The ghost about the murdered banker Sam (Patrick Swayze), whose ghost tries to warn his girlfriend Molly (Demi Moore) that their friend Carl (Goldwyn) is responsible for his death.

Goldberg won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Oda Mae Brown, a psychic who helps Sam communicate with Molly.

‘Ghost’ starring Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Goldwyn, Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze from 1990.

Cinematic / Alamy Stock Photo

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The ghost was Goldwyn’s breakthrough role, which he got thanks to his wife, Jane Musky, 70, who was the production designer on the film. She told him that the role of Carl had yet to be cast and encouraged him to look for it.

More than three decades later, Goldwyn says Musky still resents him for helping him

“She teases me a little bit about it, but there were so many times that she was the factor in my life that made me successful,” he says. “It’s just one of many.”

Ezra it’s in theaters on May 31.

For more on Tony Goldwyn, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

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Source: HIS Education