Who? Michelle Pfeiffer
How were they robbed? Prior to donning a slinky catsuit and launching a generation of young men into adulthood, Michelle Pfeiffer played a former escort and aspiring singer in The Fabulous Baker Brothers. Pfeiffer was irresistible as Susie Diamond, any actress’ dream character. She successfully balanced the comedic and dramatic pieces of the film while allowing the audience to feel how weary and bitter this woman has grown from her unfavorable past. The standout part of Pfeiffer’s performance was a poignant monologue after a New Years Eve party where she opens up to Jack (Jeff Bridges) about her experiences as a call girl. Perhaps the most well-known scene from the film is, understandably, when Diamond sings ‘Makin’ Whoopee’ atop a grand piano, seducing her audience by crawling around in a stunning red dress while Jack plays the ivories. Pfeiffer’s singing ability in this role is pure magic and, sadly, has since only been used again in the campy 2007 musical Hairspray where she portrays a former beauty queen on a severe power trip. In 1989, it was Jessica Tandy who took home the Academy Award for Driving Miss Daisy, a decision that many chalked up to Academy voters simply opting to award the Oscar to the elderly of the two as a sentimental gesture. Bad call. Bad call.
Did you know? It was rumored that Madonna was initially meant to play Susie Diamond. Let’s all just have a long, exaggerated sigh of relief for that not working out.
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