13 Shocking Behind-the-Scenes Facts About ‘Overboard’ 1987
Billy was almost played by who?!
When it comes to 1980’s rom-coms, one film continues to reign supreme. Known for its fun yet slightly ridiculous plot, Overboard was first released to theaters in 1987. It follows Jonanna (Goldie Hawn), a rude rich woman who falls off a boat, gets amnesia and ends up falling in love with a single father named Dean (Kurt Russell), who convinces her she is the mother of his four kids. But it turns out the laughter and drama didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling, and we’ve found out the 13 best and most surprising facts about Overboard.
MUST READ: Cast of the Original ‘Overboard’ Then and Now: See Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and More
1. It was the second movie real-life couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell starred in together
Longtime partners Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell are best known for their team-up in Overboard, but they actually starred in the 1984 movie Swing Shift first.
After Overboard, the two starred in five more movies together: The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968), The Christmas Chronicles (2018) and The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two (2020).
MUST READ: Goldie Hawn Young: Incredible Retro Photos That You Have to See To Believe
2. There was a reference to another Kurt Russell movie in the film: Facts About Overboard
A year before Overboard was released, Russel starred in The Best of Times (1986). His character is married to Gigi and dates a football played known as “Dr. Death.”
In Overboard, the letters “G.G” are spray painted on the boys’ clubhouse, and they say “Dr. Death” is coming to rescue their mother, both in reference to The Best of Times.
3. Malcolm McDowell was referenced
As a tribute to actor Malcolm McDowell, the crew of Overboard added in a scarecrow that had a star-shaped patch on his right eye. This was a reference to the right eye makeup of the lead character Alex in A Clockwork Orange (1971) McDowell played.
4. Dean’s truck was used in another film: Facts About Overboard
In Overboard, Dean drives an old Dodge pickup, which was later used in the opening scene of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989), which starred actor Chevy Chase. Coincidentally, Hawn starred alongside Chase in the 1978 movie Foul Play. Obviously this is six degrees of … something.
MUST READ: ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ Cast, Then and Now
5. One actor starred in all of Garry Marshall’s films
Actor Hector Elizondo and director Garry Marshall were very close friends in real life. As a result, Elizondo starred in all 18 of Marshall’s films.
6. Hawn and Russell’s kids were always on set: Facts About Overboard
While filming Overboard, Hawn and Russell had young kids of their own and would often bring them to set. In fact, their youngest, Wyatt Russell, took his first steps on the sound stage.
Their most famous kids are Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson, both of whom went into show business as well.
7. There was also a reference to two other Hawn films
In the scene where Dean is reminding Joanna how they met, he tells her they used to hang out at Hank’s Donut World while she was in the Navy. This is a reference to Private Benjamin (1980), in which Hawn played Judy Benjamin, a high-strung lady who joined the Army.
There was also a reference to the 1971 film $. In Overboard, Hawn’s character Joanna says “Burn, Baby, burn!” and Hawn’s character in $, Dawn Divine, says the exact same thing.
8. Pee Wee Herman had a lot of mentions: Facts About Overboard
The fictional character Pee-Wee Herman (played by Paul Reubens) first appeared on screen in 1981. In this film, John has an obsession with Pee-Wee and, as a result, we see a t-shirt with Pee-Wee’s face on it when Joanna is waking the boys up for school.
There is also a reference to the 1985 film Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure when Grant is listening to the song “Tequila,” by The Champs, which was played when Pee Wee danced around the biker bar. The last reference is Captain Karl, the yacht captain. Captain Carl (different spelling, but the same character) was featured on the TV series Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. These can also be spotted throughout the film.
9. Overboard is based on two different films
While the idea of Overboard might seem original, it was actually loosely based on the 1958 comedy Houseboat and heavily influenced by a 1974 Italian movie called Swept Away.
10. Various family members made cameos: Facts About Overboard
Throughout filming, many cast and crew members had family members make small cameo appearances. Director Garry Marshall’s son, Scott , plays the Coast Guard spotter. Kurt Russell’s father, Bing Russell, also makes an appearance as the Sheriff.
11. A lot of the lines were improvised
Director Garry Marshall thought the cast was funny enough on their own, so he let them improvise a lot on set, leading to Joey talking in Pee-Wee Herman’s voice. Apparently Kurt Russell was the best at it, though, and this led to some of the movie’s funniest moments and lines.
12. It was remade in 2018: Facts About Overboard
The original film became such a cult classic that Hollywood decided to remake it in 2018. While it has the same premise, the roles are reversed. A wealthy man falls down off a boat and loses his memory, so a single mom takes him in with nothing but revenge on her mind for the way he treated her. It stars Eugenio Derbez , Anna Faris and Eva Longoria.
13. Some of the stars weren’t the production’s first choice
When it was time to cast the film, actor John Candy was considered for the role of Billy. However, he was working on Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) at the time, so the role went to Mike Hagerty instead.
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