Whoopi Goldberg

November 13, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

American actress, writer, and television personality Whoopi Goldberg was born on November 13, 1955. Goldberg has received various honors, including a Tony Award, an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and an Academy Award. In 2001, she was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Goldberg’s career spans four decades. In 1983, she started her stage career, and today, she is one of the highest-paid actors in the world. We will help you celebrate Goldberg’s special day right here.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Caryn Elaine Johnson

Nickname:

Whoopi Goldberg, Da Whoop, Shuttle Head

Birth date:

November 13, 1955

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

5' 5"

Relationship Status:

Single

Net Worth:

$60 million

Background

Whoopi Goldberg’s real name is Caryn Elaine Johnson. She was born on November 13, 1955. Her father is Robert James Johnson, Jr., a Baptist clergyman who passed away in 1993. Goldberg’s mother is Emma Johnson, who worked as a nurse and teacher. Goldberg described her mother as a strong and wise woman who raised her as a single parent in the Chelsea-Elliot Houses in New York City. Her mother passed away in 2010, and she grew up with her older brother, Clyde, who passed away in 2015. Goldberg attended St. Columba Catholic School in New York and Washington Irving High School but dropped out before graduation.

Goldberg claimed that her first stage name, Whoopi, was inspired by a whoopee cushion. In 2011, she claimed her second name, Goldberg, stating that it was part of her family and heritage. Goldberg started her career in 1983 with her show titled, “Spook Show.” It was later transferred to Broadway under the title “Whoopi Goldberg” and ran from 1984 to 1985. Goldberg won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for recording this show. That same year, she got her breakthrough role as ‘Celie’ in the drama film, “The Color Purple.” For this performance, she took home the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama.

On stage, Goldberg has starred in the revivals of the musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (1966) and the play “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (2003). She was one of the producers of the musical titled “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (1999), where she earned a Tony Award.

Career timeline

1982

The First On-screen Appearance

Goldberg makes an appearance in the avant-garde ensemble feature by William Farley, “Citizen: I’m Not Losing My Mind.”

1992

The Golden Globe Nominee

Goldberg is nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance in “Sister Act.”

1994

The Academy Awards host

Goldberg becomes the first black woman to host the “Academy Awards.”

2001

The Hollywood Walk of Fame

Goldberg gets honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on her 46th birthday.

Why We Love Whoopi Goldberg

She is hardworking
Goldberg has appeared in countless movies. Her best feat was when she made seven films in three years.
She is talented
Goldberg has appeared in a number of films in a variety of roles. Her career spans four years.
She founded ‘Whoopi & Maya’
Goldberg and her partner, Maya Elisabeth, founded ‘Whoopi & Maya’ in 2016, which eventually shut down in 2020. This company makes medical cannabis products for women seeking relief from menstrual cramps.

5 Surprising Facts

She became a “junkie”
Goldberg started using drugs not long after she dropped out of high school.
She has learning dyslexia
Goldberg was already an adult when she was diagnosed with dyslexia.
She was a mortuary cosmetologist
Before fame, Goldberg landed a job as a funeral parlor makeup artist.
She was the busiest female star
Goldberg made seven films from 1985 to 1988, making her the busiest female star.
She was married to David Claessen
While Goldberg was starring in “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” she began a relationship with Claessen and they married in 1986.