The truth behind the ghost boy in “Three Men and a Baby”
Remember the 1987 hit comedy film Three Men and a Baby, starring Tom Selleck, Ted Danson, and Steve Guttenberg?
The film about the trio of bachelors trying to figure out how to raise a baby girl dropped off at their doorstep has been subject to an urban legend since its release 30 years ago.
For years, a rumour persisted that a “ghost boy” could be spotted in one of the scenes. The urban legend is based on the myth that a boy died in the loft where scenes from the movie were filmed.
But actors from the film have confirmed that the rumours are just not true. However, the film gladly ran with the urban legend as it helped with video sales of the film (as people wanted to rewatch the scene to spot the ghost.)
Selleck addressed the myth on The Tonight Show in February earlier this year.
"This was a big deal for video sales and all, and maybe Disney made it up—the story was that this kid died in the house where we shot the movie, this little boy," Selleck told Jimmy Fallon. "But we shot on a soundstage, they built a set and all ... I saw it, and it looks a little spooky but the story is ridiculous."
The human figure in question is actually a cardboard cutout of Danson. The cutout was intended to be part of a storyline that involved Danson's character, but it was cut from the final film.
Margaret Colin, the actress that played Rebecca in the film, also dismissed the urban legend in a recent segment of Entertainment Weekly: The Show. "For years, people believed there was a ghost on the set of Three Men and a Baby," said Colin. "Spoiler alert: it's not a ghost — it's a cutout. Of Ted Danson. In a tuxedo," said Colin. "Rent the movie again, see for yourself. Go ahead."
Rewatch the scene again in the video above and have a look for yourself. We hope this means the urban legend can be laid to rest.