Whoopi Goldberg (born November 13, 1955, in New York, New York, USA) is an American comedian, actress, and producer who has worked in theater, film, television, and music. Her work ranged from important main roles to contentious comedic roles, and she was a talented actor with a varied repertoire. She rose to prominence as a co-host of the television talk show The View.
If you are a fan of Whoopi Goldberg, make sure to read the complete article to dig into the life of the American public figure.
Who Is Whoopi Goldberg?
Caryn Elaine Johnson professionally known as Whoopi Goldberg is one of the popular American faces. She is a multi-talented personality. Whoopi is an actor, producer, and writer.
Goldberg made her Broadway debut in 1983 with her one-woman show Spook Show, in which she performed as Whoopi Goldberg from 1984 to 1985. She won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for the concert’s recording. In 1985, she earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture–Drama for her role as Celie, a mistreated woman in the Deep South, in Steven Spielberg’s historical drama The Color Purple.
For her role as an eccentric clairvoyant in the romantic fantasy film Ghost, she earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Golden Globe (1990). She was the highest-paid actress at the time after acting in the comedy Sister Act (1992) and its sequel, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993). Jumpin’ Jack Flash (1986), Clara’s Heart (1988), Soapdish (1992), and Ghosts of Mississippi are among her other features (1996). She has also lent her voice to characters in The Lion King (1994) and Toy Story 3 chevaliers (2010).
On Broadway, Goldberg has been in revivals of Stephen Sondheim’s musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and August Wilson’s play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. She won a Tony Award for producing the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. In 2011, she received her third Tony Award nomination for the stage adaptation of Sister Act. (2011). Goldberg portrayed Guinan in the science fiction series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1988-1993) and Star Trek: Picard (1993). (1993). (2022). Since 2007, she has co-hosted and moderated the daytime talk show The View, for which she has won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host. She has hosted the Academy Awards four times.
Whoopi Goldberg’s Early life
Caryn Elaine Johnson was born in Manhattan, New York City, on November 13, 1955, to Emma Johnson, a nurse, and teacher, and Baptist pastor Robert James Johnson Jr. . She grew up in the Chelsea-Elliot Houses, a public housing development in New York City.
Goldberg was raised by her mother, who was described as a “stern, harsh, and knowledgeable woman” who raised her as a single mother with her brother Clyde.
She attended a local Catholic school, St Columba’s. Her ancestors came from Faceville, Georgia, Palatka, Florida, and Virginia, to name a few places. She had graduated from Washington Irving High School.
In 2011, she revealed that she had a stage name.” “I just know I’m Jewish,” she adds. “My mother did not call me Whoopi, but Goldberg is my name—part it’s of my family, part of my heritage, just like being black.” I’m not doing anything. Even though I don’t go to the temple, I remember the holidays.” She asserted the following: “People would question, ‘Come on, are you Jewish?’ ‘Would you ask that of me if I were white?’ I generally respond. ‘I have my doubts.'” Her mother, Emma Johnson, reportedly thought her daughter’s surname was “not Jewish enough” for her to become a star.
A little Goldberg was watching Star Trek and yelled, according to Nichelle Nichols’ recollection in Trekkies (1997) “Mama!” she exclaimed when she saw Nichols’ portrayal. There’s a black woman on TV who isn’t a maid!” Goldberg’s lifelong passion for Star Trek was kindled by this, and she went on to request and receive a recurring guest-star role as Guinan on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
In the 1970s, Goldberg moved to San Diego, where she worked as a waiter, and then to Berkeley, where she worked as a bank teller, a mortuary cosmetologist, and a mason, among other odd jobs.
Whoopi Goldberg’s Acting career
1980s
She appeared in the avant-garde ensemble film Citizen: I’m Not Losing My Mind, I’m Giving It Away, directed by William Farley (1982). It was taped during this run and shown on HBO in 1985 as Whoopi Goldberg: Direct from Broadway. She featured in three films between 1985 and 1988: Jumpin’ Jack Flash (1986), Fatal Beauty (1987), and Clara’s Heart (1988). (1988). Goldberg co-hosted multiple HBO Comic Relief specials with fellow comedians Robin Williams and Billy Crystal.
She starred in William Farley’s The Avant-Garde ensemble film Citizen: I’m Not Losing My Mind, I’m Giving It Away (1982). During this run, it was recorded and shown on HBO in 1985 as Whoopi Goldberg: Direct from Broadway. Between 1985 and 1988, she appeared in three films: Jumpin’ Jack Flash (1986), Fatal Beauty (1987), and Clara’s Heart (1988). (1988). With fellow comedians Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, Goldberg co-hosted many HBO Comic Relief programmes.
Cinderella, A Knight in Camelot, and Call Me Claus were all adapted for ABC television. She played Ransome in Cosgrove Hall Films’ British animated children’s programme Foxbusters. According to AC Nielsen EDI, she was the actress who appeared in the most theatrical pictures throughout the 1990s.
2000s
She starred in the Nickelodeon children’s television show Whoopi’s Littleburg, which was discontinued after one season. With Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett, Goldberg co-narrated the HBO documentary Unchained Memories (2003).
2010s
She starred with Janet Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, Thandie Newton, Loretta Devine, Anika Noni Rose, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, and Macy Gray in Tyler Perry’s 2010 film For Colored Girls. She also voiced Stretch in the Disney/Pixar animated film Toy Story 3 the same year. She starred in The Middle as Jane Marsh, Sue Heck’s guidance counselor, in 2012. In Disney XD’s The 7D, she played the Magic Mirror. She starred in the hit film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 2014.
2020s
Patrick Stewart requested Goldberg to reprise her role as Guinan during the second season of Star Trek: Picard during an appearance on The View on January 22, 2020. She accepted his offer right away. Goldberg also played Mother Abagail, a 108-year-old lady, in The Stand, a CBS All Access miniseries based on Stephen King’s 1978 novel of the same name. Goldberg was expected to reprise her role in Sister Act 3 in 2020, with Tyler Perry producing. The film will premiere on Disney+. Goldberg will also appear in Chinonye Chukwu’s biographical film Till, which he wrote and directed.
As Mother of Olms, Goldberg will appear as a guest star in the Disney Channel programme Amphibia.
Whoopi Goldberg’s Personal Life
Whoopi Goldberg has been married three times. She was married to her previous lover Alvin Martin from 1973 to 1979. She was married to filmmaker David Claessen from 1986 to 1988, then to union organizer Lyle Trachtenberg from 1994 to 1995. Whoopi Goldberg’s third husband is Lyle Tratchenberg.
In 2011, she told Piers Morgan that she had never loved the men she had married. Whoopi Goldberg’s daughter, Alexandrea Martin, was born in 1973 and is also an actress and producer. Through Alexandrea, Whoopi has three grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.