Career Timeline of Whoopi Goldberg: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Whoopi Goldberg built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Whoopi Goldberg, born Caryn Elaine Johnson, is an American actor, comedian, author, and television personality renowned for her versatile talent. Notably, she is one of the select few to have achieved EGOT status, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. In 2001, her contributions to American humor were recognized with the prestigious Mark Twain Prize.
1982: First Onscreen Appearance
In 1982, Whoopi Goldberg first appeared onscreen in "Citizen: I'm Not Losing My Mind, I'm Giving It Away".
1983: Stage Career Launch
In 1983, Whoopi Goldberg began her career on stage with her one-woman show, Spook Show.
1983: National Prominence
In 1983, Whoopi Goldberg came to national prominence with her one-woman show, "Moms", in which she portrayed Moms Mabley.
1983: Creation of The Spook Show
In 1983, Whoopi Goldberg created "The Spook Show", a one-woman show composed of different character monologues.
October 24, 1984: Whoopi Goldberg Show
On October 24, 1984, Whoopi Goldberg's Broadway show opened, titled "Whoopi Goldberg".
1984: One-woman show
In 1984, Whoopi Goldberg continued performing her one-woman show, "Moms", in which she portrayed Moms Mabley.
1984: Broadway Debut
In 1984, Whoopi Goldberg's "Spook Show" transferred to Broadway under the title "Whoopi Goldberg", showcasing her talent to a wider audience.
March 10, 1985: Whoopi Goldberg Show (end)
On March 10, 1985, Whoopi Goldberg's Broadway show closed.
1985: Busiest Female Star
Between 1985 and 1988, Whoopi Goldberg was the busiest female star, making seven films.
1985: Film Breakthrough
In 1985, Whoopi Goldberg had her film breakthrough with her role as Celie in Steven Spielberg's "The Color Purple," earning her a Golden Globe Award.
1985: Drama Desk Award
In 1985, Whoopi Goldberg received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show for her solo performance on Broadway.
1985: Lead Role in The Color Purple
In 1985, Whoopi Goldberg starred in "The Color Purple", earning critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award.
1986: Jumpin' Jack Flash
In 1986, Whoopi Goldberg acted in Jumpin' Jack Flash.
1986: Golden Globe Win for The Color Purple
In 1986, Whoopi Goldberg won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her role in The Color Purple.
1987: Film Releases
In 1987, Whoopi Goldberg starred in Burglar and Fatal Beauty, and The Telephone.
1987: Participated in March on Washington
In 1987, Whoopi Goldberg's high-profile support for LGBT rights and AIDS activism dates from the March on Washington, in which she participated.
1988: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Between 1988 and 1993, Whoopi Goldberg had a recurring role on Star Trek: The Next Generation as Guinan.
January 1990: Bagdad Cafe Sitcom
In January 1990, Whoopi Goldberg starred in the situation comedy "Bagdad Cafe" with Jean Stapleton.
1990: Academy Award Win
In 1990, Whoopi Goldberg won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as an eccentric psychic in the film "Ghost", marking a significant achievement in her career.
1991: Awards for Ghost
In 1991, Whoopi Goldberg received multiple awards for her performance in Ghost, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
1991: Speaking Out About Abortion
In 1991, Whoopi Goldberg spoke out about her abortion experiences in the book The Choices We Made: Twenty-Five Women and Men Speak Out About Abortion, revealing she had multiple abortions.
1991: American Comedy Award
In 1991, Whoopi Goldberg won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actress in Ghost.
May 29, 1992: Sister Act Film Release
On May 29, 1992, the film Sister Act was released, grossing well over US$200 million.
1992: Starring in Sister Act
In 1992, Whoopi Goldberg starred in the comedy "Sister Act", achieving significant commercial success.
1993: Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
In 1993, Whoopi Goldberg starred in "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" and hosted "The Whoopi Goldberg Show".
1993: Sister Act 2
In 1993, Whoopi Goldberg starred in "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit", becoming the highest-paid actress at the time.
1993: American Comedy Award
In 1993, Whoopi Goldberg won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Actress in Sister Act.
1993: Star Trek: The Next Generation (end)
In 1993, Whoopi Goldberg's role as Guinan ended in "Star Trek: The Next Generation".
1994: Corrina, Corrina
From 1994 to 1995, she appeared in Corrina, Corrina, The Lion King (voice), Theodore Rex, The Little Rascals, The Pagemaster (voice), Boys on the Side, and Moonlight and Valentino.
1994: First Time Hosting the Oscars
In 1994, Whoopi Goldberg became the first black woman to host the Academy Awards ceremony, starting with the 66th Oscar telecast.
1994: The Lion King
In 1994, Whoopi Goldberg voiced a role in The Lion King.
1995: Corrina, Corrina
From 1994 to 1995, she appeared in Corrina, Corrina, The Lion King (voice), Theodore Rex, The Little Rascals, The Pagemaster (voice), Boys on the Side, and Moonlight and Valentino.
1996: Ghosts of Mississippi
In 1996, Whoopi Goldberg acted in Ghosts of Mississippi.
1996: Muppets Tonight
In 1996, Whoopi Goldberg guest-starred on Muppets Tonight.
1996: Film Releases
In 1996, Whoopi Goldberg starred in four motion pictures: Bogus, Eddie, The Associate, and Ghosts of Mississippi. She also replaced Nathan Lane in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
October 1997: Book Release
In October 1997, Whoopi Goldberg and ghostwriter Daniel Paisner cowrote Book, a collection featuring Goldberg's insights and opinions.
1998: Center Square on Hollywood Squares
In 1998, Whoopi Goldberg became the "Center Square" on Hollywood Squares and took supporting roles in several films.
1999: Hosted the Academy Awards
In 1999, Whoopi Goldberg hosted the Academy Awards ceremony.
1999: GLAAD Vanguard Award
In 1999, Whoopi Goldberg received the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Vanguard Award for her continued support of the LGBTQ+ community.
1999: Ransome
In 1999, Whoopi Goldberg voiced Ransome in the British animated children's show Foxbusters by Cosgrove Hall Films.
2000: Performed in Golden Dreams
In 2000, Whoopi Goldberg performed the role of Califia, the Queen of the Island of California, for a theater presentation called Golden Dreams at Disney California Adventure Park.
February 8, 2001: Golden Dreams Opened
On February 8, 2001, the show Golden Dreams opened in Disney California Adventure Park, featuring Whoopi Goldberg as Califia, the Queen of the Island of California.
2001: Film Roles
From 1998 to 2001, Goldberg took supporting roles in How Stella Got Her Groove Back with Angela Bassett, Girl, Interrupted with Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie, Kingdom Come, and Rat Race with an all-star ensemble cast.
2001: Mark Twain Prize
In 2001, Whoopi Goldberg became the first African-American female to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
2001: Hosted "The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas"
In 2001, Whoopi Goldberg hosted the documentary short "The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas". She also portrayed Death in the movie Monkeybone in 2001.
2002: Completed EGOT
In 2002, Whoopi Goldberg completed the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards) when she received the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Special as a producer of "Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel" and the Tony Award for Best Musical for producing "Thoroughly Modern Millie". She is the first Black woman to be an EGOT recipient.
2002: Hosted the Academy Awards
In 2002, Whoopi Goldberg hosted the Academy Awards ceremony.
2002: Departure from Hollywood Squares
In 2002, Whoopi Goldberg left the series Hollywood Squares, where she had served as executive producer and was nominated for four Emmy Awards.
2003: Starred in "Whoopi" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"
In 2003, Whoopi Goldberg starred in the TV series "Whoopi", though it was canceled after one season. Also in 2003, she returned to the stage in the Broadway revival of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom", playing Ma Rainey.
July 2004: Controversy at John Kerry Fundraiser
In July 2004, Whoopi Goldberg was involved in controversy for making a sexual joke about President George W. Bush at a fundraiser for John Kerry. This resulted in Slim-Fast dropping her from their ad campaign.
July 2006: Host of Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour
In July 2006, Whoopi Goldberg became the main host of the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour, appearing in video clips for the guests.
August 2006: Hosted "Wake Up with Whoopi"
From August 2006, Whoopi Goldberg hosted "Wake Up with Whoopi", a nationally syndicated morning radio talk and entertainment program.
September 4, 2007: Became Moderator of The View
On September 4, 2007, Whoopi Goldberg became the new moderator and co-host of "The View", replacing Rosie O'Donnell.
October 2007: Announced Retirement from Acting
In October 2007, Whoopi Goldberg announced her planned retirement from acting, citing a lack of roles.
2007: Co-hosting The View
Since 2007, Whoopi Goldberg has co-hosted and moderated "The View", later winning a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host.
February 18, 2008: The Naked Brothers Band on The View
On February 18, 2008, The Naked Brothers Band performed on The View and the band members were interviewed by Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd.
March 2008: End of Hosting "Wake Up with Whoopi"
In March 2008, Whoopi Goldberg's nationally syndicated morning radio talk and entertainment program, "Wake Up with Whoopi" ended.
July 14, 2008: Announced Performance in "Xanadu"
On July 14, 2008, Whoopi Goldberg announced she would perform in the Broadway musical "Xanadu" from July 29 to September 7.
November 13, 2008: Announced Production of "Sister Act: The Musical"
On November 13, 2008, Whoopi Goldberg announced she would be producing, along with Stage Entertainment, the premiere of "Sister Act: The Musical" at the London Palladium.
December 13, 2008: Guest Starred on The Naked Brothers Band
On December 13, 2008, Whoopi Goldberg guest starred on The Naked Brothers Band, a Nickelodeon rock- mockumentary television series.
2008: Message at Junior Eurovision Song Contest and Contributor for wowOwow.com
In 2008, Whoopi Goldberg gave a message at the beginning of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and became a contributor for wowOwow.com.
2008: Moderated panel at Alliance of Youth Movements Summit
In 2008, Whoopi Goldberg moderated a panel at the Alliance of Youth Movements Summit on how social networks can be used to fight violent extremism.
2009: Moderated panel at the UN on human rights
In 2009, Whoopi Goldberg moderated a panel at the UN on human rights, children and armed conflict, terrorism, and reconciliation.
2009: Daytime Emmy Award Win
In 2009, Whoopi Goldberg won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host for her work on The View, sharing the award with her co-hosts.
January 14, 2010: Performed in "The Lion King"
On January 14, 2010, Whoopi Goldberg made a one-night-only appearance at the Minskoff Theatre to perform in the mega-hit musical "The Lion King".
April 1, 2010: Joined Cyndi Lauper's Give a Damn Campaign
On April 1, 2010, Whoopi Goldberg joined Cyndi Lauper in the launch of her Give a Damn campaign to bring a wider awareness of discrimination of the LGBT community.
October 22, 2010: Return to Sister Act Performance
On October 22, 2010, Whoopi Goldberg returned to her performance in the musical Sister Act in London, after briefly leaving due to her mother's death.
October 30, 2010: "Sister Act" closed
On October 30, 2010, "Sister Act" show closed.
2010: Starred in "For Colored Girls" and voiced "Toy Story 3"
In 2010, Whoopi Goldberg starred in the movie "For Colored Girls" and voiced Stretch in "Toy Story 3".
2011: Made a cameo in "The Muppets"
In 2011, Whoopi Goldberg had a cameo in "The Muppets".
2011: Tony Award Nomination
In 2011, Whoopi Goldberg received her third Tony Award nomination for the stage adaptation of "Sister Act."
2012: Guest starred on "The Middle"
In 2012, Whoopi Goldberg guest starred as Jane Marsh, Sue Heck's guidance counselor on "The Middle".
2014: Portrayed a character in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"
In 2014, Whoopi Goldberg portrayed a character in the superhero film "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". She also appeared as herself in Chris Rock's "Top Five" and starred in "Big Stone Gap".
April 2016: Launched Whoopi & Maya
In April 2016, Whoopi Goldberg co-founded Whoopi & Maya, a company that made medical cannabis products for women seeking relief from menstrual cramps.
2016: Executive Produced "Strut"
In 2016, Whoopi Goldberg executive produced the reality television series "Strut", which aired on Oxygen.
May 2017: Spoke in Support of Transgender Rights
In May 2017, Whoopi Goldberg spoke in support of transgender rights at the 28th GLAAD Media Awards.
2017: Voiced Ursula in "Descendants 2"
In 2017, Whoopi Goldberg voiced Ursula, the Sea Witch and Uma's mother, in the TV movie "Descendants 2".
2017: Speaker at Women's March in New York City
In 2017, Whoopi Goldberg was a speaker at the Women's March in New York City and was such again at the following year's event.
2017: Disney Legend
In 2017, Whoopi Goldberg was named a Disney Legend for her contributions to the Walt Disney Company.
2018: Starred in "Nobody's Fool" and "Furlough"
In 2018, Whoopi Goldberg starred in Tyler Perry's film "Nobody's Fool" and the comedy-drama film "Furlough".
2019: Voice role in "Into the Woods"
In 2019, Whoopi Goldberg's voice was used for the role of the Giant's Wife in the Hollywood Bowl production of "Into the Woods".
January 22, 2020: Invited to reprise Guinan role in "Star Trek: Picard"
On January 22, 2020, Patrick Stewart invited Whoopi Goldberg to reprise her role as Guinan in "Star Trek: Picard", and she accepted.
February 2020: Whoopi & Maya Ceased Operations
In February 2020, Whoopi Goldberg's medical cannabis company Whoopi & Maya announced that it was ceasing operations.
January 24, 2021: Guest on The George Lucas Talk Show
On January 24, 2021, Whoopi Goldberg appeared as a guest on The George Lucas Talk Show to raise money for the ASPCA.
2021: Launched "Emma & Clyde" cannabis products
In 2021, Whoopi Goldberg announced the launch of a new line of cannabis products, "Emma & Clyde", named for her late mother and brother.
2021: Starred in and Produced "Till"
In 2021, Whoopi Goldberg starred in and produced the biographical film "Till", which focuses on the abduction and lynching of Emmett Till.
January 31, 2022: Controversial Holocaust Comments
On January 31, 2022, Whoopi Goldberg made controversial comments on The View about the Holocaust not being about race, resulting in widespread criticism and a subsequent two-week suspension from the show. She apologized twice, once on Twitter and again on air the following day.
2022: Star Trek: Picard
In 2022, Whoopi Goldberg reprised her role as Guinan in "Star Trek: Picard".
2023: Sister Act Box Office
In 1992, the film Sister Act grossed well over US$200 million, equivalent to $434 million in 2023.
2023: Appeared in "The Color Purple" and "Ezra"
In 2023, Whoopi Goldberg appeared in a cameo role in the musical film "The Color Purple" and took supporting roles in the drama "Ezra".
December 4, 2024: Played Miss Hannigan in "Annie"
On December 4, 2024, Whoopi Goldberg returned to the stage playing Miss Hannigan in the musical "Annie" as part of a limited engagement at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
2024: Supporting role in "Outlaw Posse"
In 2024, Whoopi Goldberg took a supporting role in the western "Outlaw Posse".
