Divine Castings: The Ultimate List of Celebrities Who Embodied God on the Silver Screen
Discover the divine performances of Jodie Turner-Smith, Alanis Morissette, Morgan Freeman, and more as they portray different interpretations of God in movies and TV shows Unleash the power of their talent and explore the captivating world of these heavenly portrayals
Actors are constantly seeking impactful roles, and a select few have had the opportunity to portray the ultimate force: God.
One of the most well-known depictions of God is Morgan Freeman's character in Bruce Almighty. In an interview with The Washington Post in 2011, Freeman described it as the most unconventional role he had ever been offered. "To be asked to play God – just think about that. To sit and ponder the concept of portraying God, you know?" he reflected.
Rather than the concept of portraying a higher power, what truly captivated him was a well-written script. Freeman expressed his lack of hesitation, stating, "I had this thought that someone would approach me to play God, and I wouldn't accept unless it was amusing, unless it had a comedic tone to it. That way, it becomes lighthearted and playful."
Keep scrolling to discover other notable actors who have assumed the role of God in various movies and television series throughout the years.
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Actors Who Played God in Movies and TV Shows: Jodie Turner-Smith, Alanis Morissette and More
Actors are always looking for influential roles, but a few have gotten to play the ultimate powerhouse: God.
Morgan Freeman's portrayal as God in Bruce Almighty is perhaps the most famous. In 2011, he told The Washington Post that it was the "most unusual" role he had ever been offered. "Imagine being asked to play God," he said, reflecting on the idea. However, it wasn't the idea of playing a higher power that drew him to the role, but rather the strength of the script. At the time, Freeman explained that he had no reservations about taking on the role, as long as it had a comedic twist. "If it's funny, if it's a comedy, then it becomes possible to play God in a lighthearted and humorous way," he shared.
Scroll down for a look at more stars who have played God over the years in both movies and TV shows:
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Jodie Turner Smith
The actress made her appearance in the 2023 fourth and final season of Netflix's Sex Education. In the show, God appears to Eric, a teenager who is grappling with his identity as an openly gay Christian. During their encounter, Turner-Smith's character urges Eric to embrace and accept others for who they truly are.
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Alanis Morissette
Four years after "You Oughta Know" made Morissette a household name, she took on the role of God in the 1999 film Dogma.
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Morgan Freeman
Freeman played God in both Bruce Almighty (2003) and Evan Almighty (2007).
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Dennis Haysbert
Haysbert temporarily stepped away from his Allstate Insurance ad campaigns to embody the role of God in the fifth season of Lucifer, broadcasted on Netflix from 2020 to 2021. After numerous mentions of the protagonist's father throughout the show, viewers were finally introduced to the unexpectedly relaxed divine figure.
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Frances McDormand
The Oscar winner voiced God in Prime Video's Good Omens season 1 in 2019, and she made a cameo in the second season four years later.
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Rob Benedict
Chuck Shirley, a prophetic author, was first introduced in the fourth season of Supernatural. However, it was later revealed that he is actually an all-knowing being. In the later seasons of The CW series, Benedict portrayed God as a villain. The series concluded in 2021.
When asked about his villainous role, Benedict expressed initial concerns about being disliked by viewers. However, as an actor, he found it exciting to play such a character. Being involved in the show, especially during its final season, was a fulfilling and relevant experience for him, particularly after participating in conventions for many years. Despite portraying a cruel and capricious god, Benedict expressed his happiness in being a part of it.
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Octavia Spencer
In the 2017 film adaptation of William Paul Young's popular book The Shack, Spencer takes on the role of God. He mentioned to The Los Angeles Daily News that because he grew up in a Southern Baptist background, he was accustomed to perceiving God as a man. However, Spencer expressed no hesitation in portraying God since the author's intention was not to claim that God is a black woman. In his perspective, God provides what each individual needs, so if someone requires the image of God as a black woman for their own personal reasons, their blessings may manifest in that form.
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Steve Buscemi
During Miracle Workers season 1, the actor portrayed God with a comedic twist. In a 2019 interview with Collider, Buscemi explained, "His character is more childlike, spoiled, and uncertain of himself." As an actor known for portraying flawed characters, this role feels fitting. The actor emphasized that he wouldn't want to play a traditional depiction of God, but rather Simon Rich's interpretation, which adds an enjoyable dimension to the portrayal.
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Whoopi Goldberg
The View host has portrayed a divine role on multiple occasions. Initially, she assumed the role of the higher power in the film It's a Very Muppet Christmas Movie (2002). Subsequently, she took on a more somber portrayal in the romantic drama A Little Bit of Heaven (2011), embodying a serious interpretation.
In this article
Alanis Morissette
Frances McDormand
Jodie Turner-Smith
Morgan J Freeman
Octavia Spencer
