Trivia
Early years:
It was 12:48 PM, EST when Whoopi Goldberg was born.
When Whoopi was a small child, her father, a preacher, abandoned his family.
She has a brother named Clyde K. Johnson who is seven years her elder.
Their father, Robert James Johnson (preacher) died May 25, 1993, of stomach cancer and complications from HIV.
Nickname: Da Whoop
Is dyslexic.
She has ADHD.
Worked as a dishwasher at a restaurant called “Big Kitchen” at 3003 Grape St in San Diego.
Once worked in a mortuary where her job was applying makeup to corpses.
Once underwent jobs as a bricklayer, a bank teller and a funeral parlor make-up artist before her career took off.
Carrier Trivia:
She was inspired to become an actress by watching Nichelle Nichols’s portrayal of Uhura on “Star Trek” (1966).
Whoopi Goldberg first made her acting debut when she was eight years old, at the Helena Rubinstein Children’s Theatre at the Hudson Guild.
Whoopi took small parts on Broadway during the time she had a job as a bricklayer and worked in a funeral parlor.
Whoopi Goldberg was discovered by director Mike Nichols.
Watching Nichelle Nichols portray the character Uhura on the 1966 version of Star Trek is what inspired Whoopi Goldberg to become an actress.
When she was a teenager, she lied about her age in order to be able to sing in the choruses of the Broadway shows, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar and Pippin.
In her younger days, Whoopi Goldberg was a member of the improvisational comedy groups, Spontaneous Combustion, and The Blake Street Hawkeyes.
Acquired the lead role in “The Color Purple” (1985) after carrying out a private stand-up routine entitled “If E.T. landed in Oakland” in front of the film’s director, Steven Spielberg, and Michael Jackson among others.
Did a private stand-up comedy routine entitled “If E.T. landed in Oakland” in front of, among others, Steven Spielberg and Michael Jackson, which eventually won her the lead in The Color Purple (1985), which Spielberg directed.
Listed as one of twelve Promising New Actors of 1985 in John Willis’ Screen World, Volume 37.
She won a Grammy for “Whoopi Goldberg: Direct From Broadway.”
Was chosen as one of the twelve Promising New Actors of 1985 in John Willis’s Screen World.
Won a Grammy for Best Comedy Performance Single or Album, Spoken or Musical for “Original Broadway Show Recording.”.
Was accompanied by Michael J. Fox to attend the 1986 Academy Awards in which she landed nomination for her role in “The Color Purple” (1985).
Asked Gene Roddenberry for a role in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987) because she was a big fan. She was given role of “Guinan”, the head of the Ten-Forward lounge. Her character was named for legendary entertainer / nightclub owner Texas Guinan.
In the late 1980’s, Whoopi Goldberg headlined the popular Comic Relief television specials, along with fellow comedians Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, who supported charities aiding the homeless.
Her character in “Ghost” (1990), Oda Mae Brown, ranked the 95th in Premiere Magazine’s list of 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.
During a period in the 1990s, Whoopi was the highest-paid actress of all time.
She was a member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1991.
Was one of the eulogists at Gene Roddenberry’s funeral in 1991, along with other Star Trek stars Nichelle Nichols and Patrick Stewart.
Was the second African American woman to win an Oscar. The first was Hattie McDaniel.
In the “Absolutely Fabulous” (1992) series episode “Gay,” she played a woman who arranges marriages. In her guest-starring role in “The Nanny” (1993) (episode “The Pre-Nup”). she played a wedding planner.
Underwent training in singing under the guidance of Seth Riggs to prepare for her role in “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit” (1993).
Was mentioned Female Star of the Year at the 1993 ShoWest Convention.
When Whoopi Goldberg starred in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, back in 1993, she was considered the highest paid actress in history.
Performed all her own singing in the “Sister Act” movies. Her co-stars have claimed that they were surprised at her vocal ability.
Whoopi Goldberg was inducted into the Academy of Achievement in 1994.
Took over the role of Pseudolus from Nathan Lane in the 1997 Broadway revival of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”
Was listed as one of Essence Magazine’s Women of the Year in 1999.
Was presented Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for Humor by 2001.
Whoopi Goldberg was the recipient of the Mark Twain Award for American Humor in 2001.
The first woman to host the Academy Awards on her own. She hosted them in 2002, 1999, 1996 and 1994.
Won a Tony as a producer for Best Musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador by UNICEF in 2003.
On July 14, 2004, weight loss company Slim-Fast dropped Whoopi Goldberg as its spokesperson following controversy over inappropriate remarks directed at President Bush during one of her comedy routines.
In October 2007, Goldberg announced on the air that she would be retiring from acting because she is no longer sent scripts, saying, “You know, there’s no room for the very talented Whoopi. There’s no room right now in the marketplace of cinema. Being a Black intellectual with a Jewish surname finally caught up to me.”
Since 2007, Whoopi Goldberg has been a co-host of ABC’s morning talk show, The View.
Was portrayed as the Genie from Disney’s “Aladdin” in part one of a dream scene entitled “Where a Whole New World Awaits” in the “Disney Dream Portrait Series” ads, shot by photographer Annie Leibovitz, unveiled on January 24, 2008.
Has her own production company, One Ho Productions, which backs most of her movies and television projects.
Has over 4 different action figures modeled after her character, Guinan, from the “Star Trek” series and the films.
Is a big fan of “Star Trek” series, even once asked its creator, Gene Roddenberry, for a role in “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” She finally was given one as Guinan, a bartender in the Ten-Forward lounge.
Is one of only 7 African-American actresses to receive a Best Actress Oscar nomination. The others in chronological order are: Dorothy Dandridge, Diana Ross, Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Angela Bassett and Halle Berry.
One of only four actresses who won the quadruple crown of acting: The Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy.
She has starred in over 150 films.
She is one of only 10 individuals who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award (counting Daytime Emmy Awards).
She was awarded The Annual Kennedy Centre Mark Twain Prize for Comedy.
Whoopi Goldberg decided to renew her one woman show, The Spook Show, on the 20th anniversary of it’s first success at New York’s Lyceum Theater.
In 2008 Whoopi commenced plans to produce a musical version of Sister Act to the theatre scene in London.
In October 2008, Whoopi Goldberg released Sugar Plum Ballerinas, a children’s book that she wrote.
Trivia – Various Subjects:
Trade Mark – Dreadlocks – Wire-rimmed sunglasses – No eyebrows.
She lost her virginity when she was 13.
Height: 5′ 5″ (1.65 m)
Mother of actress Alex Martin born 1973.
Grand daughter: Amarah Skye who was born on Whoopi’s 34th birthday in 1989.
Grand son: Jerzey Martin was born 1995.
Dropped out of high school and became addicted to heroin. She ended up marrying her drug counselor. She cleaned up and later divorced him.
In 1974 she moved to California and helped found the San Diego Repertory Company, where she used the name, Whoopi Cushion.
Her brother Clyde K. Johnson is Goldberg’s personal driver on film sets.
Has published two books entitled “Alice” (1992) and “Book” (1997).
Has a tattoo of Woodstock (the bird from the Charles M. Schulz’s “Peanuts” cartoon strip) on her shoulder.
Because Whoopi Goldberg suffers from aviophobia (fear of flying), she travels to different locations by bus.
Relationships: Frank Langella (actor; October 1995-early 2000), Ted Danson (actor; 1992-1994), Timothy Dalton (actor; 1990-1991), Eddie Gold (director of photography; 1987-1990), David Schein (playwright, actor; 1980-1985)
Whoopi Goldberg is a fan of the show, The Young and The Restless.
Whoopi was a featured speaker at Stanford University’s Centennial celebration in 1991.
Whoopi Goldberg has been married and divorced three times, to Alvin Martin (married 1973 – 1979), whom she had one child with, David Claessen (married September 1, 1986 – October, 1988), and Lyle Trachtenburg (married October 1, 1994 – October, 1995).
She is the author of Whoopi’s Big Book of Manners.
Is a left-handed person.
During the “Got Milk?” campaign, Whoopi Goldberg was the campaign’s spokesmodel.
Is an avid Fiesta Ware (china) collector.
Is part-owner of Mary’s Kitchen, a country store/kitchen in Malibu, California. It is staffed by “New Yorkers” and certain furnishings were imported from New York because Whoopi wanted a touch of home in Malibu.
Has kept a hairless cat called Oliver.
Is good friends with Patrick Stewart.
Has a rose named after her by a horticulturist as an honor to her.
Her most favorite TV series is “The Young and The Restless.”
Whoopi Goldberg helped in the founding of the San Diego Repertory Company.
Received an honorary degree from Wilson College, which is located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
