Honestly, if you haven’t seen it lately, Corrina, Corrina is one of those mid-90s gems that feels totally different when you watch it as an adult. Most people remember the poster—Whoopi Goldberg looking iconic—but the actual Corrina Corrina 1994 cast is a weirdly perfect mix of heavy hitters and character actors who just fit. It’s a 1950s period piece that deals with grief and racism without being a total "after-school special," mostly because the actors play it so low-key.
The Big Names: Goldberg and Liotta
You’ve got Whoopi Goldberg playing Corrina Washington. By 1994, Whoopi was a massive star, and she basically carries the movie with this quiet, smart dignity. She isn't doing the Sister Act comedy routine here. She’s a college graduate who can only find work as a maid because of the era’s segregation. It’s a subtle performance.
Then there’s Ray Liotta as Manny Singer. It’s kinda wild seeing him play a grieving, gentle jingle writer right in the middle of his "tough guy" era. This was only a few years after Goodfellas. Seeing him try to navigate being a single dad to a daughter who has stopped speaking is heartbreaking. Their chemistry—Liotta and Goldberg—is the engine of the movie. It’s a slow burn, and it’s surprisingly sweet without being too sappy.
The Real Star: Tina Majorino
The movie basically falls apart if the kid isn’t good. Tina Majorino played Molly Singer, and she was everywhere in the 90s (remember Waterworld or Andre?). In this film, she plays a 7-year-old who goes mute after her mom dies. She’s incredible. She has to do so much acting with just her eyes for the first half of the movie.
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Most child actors back then were either over-the-top "cute" or robotic. Majorino felt like a real kid dealing with a massive trauma. When she finally starts talking again because of Corrina, you actually believe the bond.
The Supporting Players You Forgot Were There
The deeper you look into the Corrina Corrina 1994 cast, the more "Oh, hey, it's that person!" moments you have.
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- Joan Cusack: She plays Jonesy, and she’s just as quirky as you’d expect. She brings that specific Cusack energy that lightens up some of the heavier scenes.
- Don Ameche: This was actually his final film. He plays Grandpa Harry. He died shortly after filming wrapped in 1993, so the movie is dedicated to him. There’s a certain weight to his performance knowing it was his goodbye to the screen.
- Jenifer Lewis: She plays Jevina, Corrina’s sister. If you want to see where that powerhouse energy started, look no further.
- Larry Miller: He plays Sid, Manny's friend. Miller is the king of playing that slightly annoying but well-meaning 90s guy.
- Brent Spiner: Yes, Data from Star Trek is in this. He plays Brent Witherspoon. It’s a small role, but it’s a fun Easter egg for sci-fi fans.
- Erica Yohn: She’s great as Grandma Eva, representing the traditionalist side of the family that isn't quite sure what to make of the new living arrangement.
Why the Cast Worked So Well
Director Jessie Nelson (who also wrote the script) based this on her own life to some extent. That’s probably why the characters feel lived-in. The film handles the interracial romance between Manny and Corrina with a lot of nuance. It doesn't ignore the danger or the social pressure of 1959, but it lets the actors focus on the friendship first.
The movie didn't blow up the box office—it made about $20 million—but it has lived on through cable and streaming because the performances are so grounded. It’s one of those "comfort movies" that actually has some teeth.
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What to Watch Next
If you just finished a rewatch and want more from this specific era or cast:
- Check out Tina Majorino in Napoleon Dynamite (she’s Deb!) to see how she transitioned into cult classic territory as an adult.
- Watch Ray Liotta in Field of Dreams for another "soft" Liotta performance that balances out his more violent roles.
- Look for Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple if you want to see the dramatic roots that allowed her to play Corrina with such depth.
The Corrina Corrina 1994 cast remains a masterclass in ensemble acting where everyone understood the assignment. They didn't try to outshine each other; they just built a very believable, very sad, and eventually very hopeful little world.