Life in Film: Whitney Houston

A look back at the legend's acting career.

Whitney Houston - Today, the late, great Whitney Houston would have celebrated her 59th birthday.  Here, we take a look at Whitney's epic career through her life in film.   (Photo Credit: Sony Records)

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Remembering Whitney -Today would be Whitney Houston's 59th birthday. And in memory of "The Voice," here are some of her most memorable quotes.

Photo By Sony Records

Gimme a Break! (1984) - A year before her explosive pop music debut, Whitney made her acting debut. She had a cameo on the hit TV sitcom Gimme a Break!, playing college student Rita. (Photo: Alan Landsburg Productions)

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Gimme a Break! (1984) - A year before her explosive pop music debut, Whitney made her acting debut. She had a cameo on the hit TV sitcom Gimme a Break!, playing college student Rita. (Photo: Alan Landsburg Productions)

Silver Spoons (1985) - With her self-titled debut LP topping the pop charts and videos in heavy rotation, Whitney also guest-starred on an episode of Silver Spoons. Playing herself, she sang "Saving All My Love for You." (Photo:  Embassy Television)

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Silver Spoons (1985) - With her self-titled debut LP topping the pop charts and videos in heavy rotation, Whitney also guest-starred on an episode of Silver Spoons. Playing herself, she sang "Saving All My Love for You." (Photo: Embassy Television)

The Bodyguard (1992) - Once established as the reigning queen of pop, next came film offers. Whitney made her big-screen debut in the The Bodyguard. She played Rachel Marron, a star who is stalked by a crazed fan and hires a bodyguard (Kevin Cosner) to protect her. While the movie is a huge hit, the soundtrack yields her acclaimed signiture single "I Will Always Love You." (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)

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The Bodyguard (1992) - Once established as the reigning queen of pop, next came film offers. Whitney made her big-screen debut in the The Bodyguard. She played Rachel Marron, a star who is stalked by a crazed fan and hires a bodyguard (Kevin Cosner) to protect her. While the movie is a huge hit, the soundtrack yields her acclaimed signiture single "I Will Always Love You." (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Waiting to Exhale, Saturday at 7P/6C - Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon, Angela Bassett and the late Whitney Houston relax, relate and release. Encore presentation on Sunday at 3P/2C.(Photo: Twentieth Century Fox Pictures)

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Waiting to Exhale (1995) - In Whitney's desire to show her acting chops, the pop icon starred in the film adaptation of Terry McMillan's hit novel Waiting to Exhale. Alongside acting heavyweights like Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine, Whitney played a successful television producer who believes one day her married lover (Dennis Haysbert) will leave his wife for her. (Photo: Twentieth Century Fox Film)

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The Preacher's Wife (1996) - In this remake of the 1947 film The Bishop's Wife, Whitney stars as Julia, choir singer and wife of the Rev. Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance). Denzel Washington also stars in the film. (Photo: Mundy Lane Entertainment)

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The Preacher's Wife (1996) - In this remake of the 1947 film The Bishop's Wife, Whitney stars as Julia, choir singer and wife of the Rev. Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance). Denzel Washington also stars in the film. (Photo: Mundy Lane Entertainment)

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997) - In this updated, multi-racial version of the fairy tale, Whitney starred as the fairy godmother alongside an all-star cast, including Brandy Norwood and Whoopi Goldberg. (Photo:  BrownHouse Productions)

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Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997) - In this updated, multi-racial version of the fairy tale, Whitney starred as the fairy godmother alongside an all-star cast, including Brandy Norwood and Whoopi Goldberg. (Photo: BrownHouse Productions)

The Princess Diaries (2001) - With her power on the pop charts, Whitney wanted to exert some power at the movie theater as well. Whitney produced this film about a socially awkward but very smart 15-year-old girl who discovers that she is the princess of a small European country. The Princess Diaries starred Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway. (Photo: Disney)

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The Princess Diaries (2001) - With her power on the pop charts, Whitney wanted to exert some power at the movie theater as well. Whitney produced this film about a socially awkward but very smart 15-year-old girl who discovers that she is the princess of a small European country. The Princess Diaries starred Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway. (Photo: Disney)

Being Bobby Brown (2001) - The pop queen's golden touch even extended to reality TV. The hit series Being Bobby Brown may have centered on Whitney's R&B star ex-husband, but the show's true star, hands down, was Whitney. Through the series, she introduced the popular phrase, "Hell-to-the-naw!" (Photo:  Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Being Bobby Brown (2001) - The pop queen's golden touch even extended to reality TV. The hit series Being Bobby Brown may have centered on Whitney's R&B star ex-husband, but the show's true star, hands down, was Whitney. Through the series, she introduced the popular phrase, "Hell-to-the-naw!" (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Boston Public (2002) - In 2002, Whitney graced the small screen again, guest appearing in an episode of Boston Public. To promote her LP Just Whitney, the pop diva — playing herself —performed the single "Try It on My Own" on the show. (Photo: 20th Century Fox Television)

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Boston Public (2002) - In 2002, Whitney graced the small screen again, guest appearing in an episode of Boston Public. To promote her LP Just Whitney, the pop diva — playing herself —performed the single "Try It on My Own" on the show. (Photo: 20th Century Fox Television)

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The Cheetah Girls (2003) - Whitney executive produced this hit TV series about four teen girls aiming to take the world by storm with their music. (Photo: Disney Channel)

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The Cheetah Girls (2003) - Whitney executive produced this hit TV series about four teen girls aiming to take the world by storm with their music. (Photo: Disney Channel)

Photo By Photo: Disney Channel

Sparkle (2012) - Before the pop legend's untimely death, she finished filming the remake of the 1976 cult classic Sparkle. In this updated version, Whitney will portray the role of Emma, the mother of three singing sisters. The film's cast also includes Derek Luke and Jordin Sparks.  Sparkle is in theaters Friday, August 17. (Photo: Sony Pictures)

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Sparkle (2012) - Before the pop legend's untimely death, she finished filming the remake of the 1976 cult classic Sparkle. In this updated version, Whitney will portray the role of Emma, the mother of three singing sisters. The film's cast also includes Derek Luke and Jordin Sparks. Sparkle is in theaters Friday, August 17. (Photo: Sony Pictures)