Photo: Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty; CBS/Getty

Of all the classic characters he has played and all the iconic films in which he is a part, Luis Guzmán says he’s recognized mostly for a role he never portrayed.
During a recent interview onThe Rich Eisen Show, the actor, 66, explained that for decades, he has been confused for the late Rick Aviles, who played Willie Lopez in the filmGhost.
“To this day, you and I could be walking through an airport, a mall —today— and someone would go, ‘Why did you killPatrick Swayze? What was it like working withWhoopi [Goldberg]?’ If I had a nickel since that began — I would probably own this studio, an island and a couple of private planes. I swear.”
Guzmán, who currently stars in theNetflixseriesWednesday, based onThe Addams Family, told Eisen he was never offered theGhostrole. And, for a while, he did correct fans who approached him — but after one specific encounter, he gave up.
“I was in Detroit one time, changing planes, and a 90-year-old lady comes up to me: ‘Oh, my god. I loved you inGhost.’ I felt so bad, and I explained, ‘No, no. That was someone else.’ And then she goes, ‘So what might I have seen you in?’ And I go, ‘Did you ever seeThe Count of Monte Cristo?’ And she says, ‘I love that movie. That was such a great movie!’ And I said, ‘Well, I was Jacopo.’ And then she goes, ‘No, you wasn’t in that!’ "
Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty

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These days, Guzmán said he happily welcomes the kudos and Swayze chastising, noting, “From that moment on, I said, ‘I’m always going to be the guy inGhost.’ "
source: people.com