Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Goldberg in 2024 | |
| Born | Caryn Elaine Johnson November 13, 1955 New York City, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouses | Alvin Martin
(m. 1973; div. 1979)David Claessen
(m. 1986; div. 1988)Lyle Trachtenberg
(m. 1994; div. 1995) |
| Partners |
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| Children | Alexandrea Martin |
Biography
Whoopi Goldberg is an American actress, comedian, author, and television host, celebrated for her versatility, charisma, and trailblazing career across stage and screen. She was born Caryn Elaine Johnson on November 13, 1955, in New York City. Raised in a housing project in Manhattan, Goldberg overcame poverty and early struggles with dyslexia to pursue a career in the performing arts.
She began her career on stage, developing a one-woman show that showcased her sharp wit and ability to inhabit multiple characters. That performance caught the attention of director Steven Spielberg, who cast her in the lead role of The Color Purple (1985). Her powerful performance as Celie earned her an Academy Award nomination and launched her into stardom.
Goldberg went on to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the eccentric psychic Oda Mae Brown in Ghost (1990). She is one of only a few entertainers to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award—a rare achievement known as EGOT.
Her film credits include Sister Act, The Lion King (voice of Shenzi), The Associate, and Corrina, Corrina. She also made history as the first Black woman to host the Academy Awards solo and has been a co-host of the daytime talk show The View since 2007.
Beyond entertainment, Goldberg is an outspoken advocate for civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice, often using her platform to speak on political and humanitarian issues.
Known for her honesty, humor, and fearless individuality, Whoopi Goldberg has carved out a unique space in American culture. Whether performing dramatic roles, making audiences laugh, or speaking her mind on live TV, she continues to break barriers and inspire generations of artists and activists.
Music (likes)
BBC's Desert Island Discs (2009)
- Lovely Day – Bill Withers
- Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile) – Van Morrison
- Shamas-Ud-Doha – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
- Who Knows Where The Time Goes? – Judy Collins
- Superstition – Stevie Wonder
- Quimbara – Celia Cruz
- Me & Mr Jones – Amy Winehouse
- The Flower Duet – Joan Sutherland & Jane Berbié [1]
Literature (likes)
Miscellaneous
- Letters to a Young Poet - Raine Maria Rilke [1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Whoopi Goldberg". Desert Island Discs. 10 May 2009. BBC.