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 a highly acclaimed American actor, comedian, author, and television personality. She has achieved EGOT status, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award, a rare accomplishment. She also received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2001, recognizing her significant contributions to comedy and entertainment. Goldberg is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry with a career spanning decades.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1985: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show

In 1985, Whoopi Goldberg received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show for her solo performance on Broadway.

1985: Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording

In 1985, Whoopi Goldberg won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording for "Whoopi Goldberg: Original Broadway Show Recording".

1986: Golden Globe for The Color Purple

In 1986, Whoopi Goldberg won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her role in "The Color Purple".

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1991: Smoking marijuana before accepting Academy Award

In 1991, Whoopi Goldberg has stated that she smoked marijuana before accepting the Best Supporting Actress award for Ghost.

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1991: Golden Globe and BAFTA Award for Ghost

In 1991, Whoopi Goldberg won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in "Ghost".

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1991: American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actress in Ghost

In 1991, Whoopi Goldberg won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actress for her role in "Ghost".

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1993: Defense of Ted Danson's blackface performance

In 1993, Ted Danson appeared in blackface during his Friars Club roast. Whoopi Goldberg wrote some of his jokes for the event and defended Danson after a media furor.

1993: American Comedy Award for Funniest Actress in Sister Act

In 1993, Whoopi Goldberg won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Actress for her role in "Sister Act".

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1999: Awards for supporting the LGBTQ+ Community and Women in Film

In 1999, Whoopi Goldberg received the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Vanguard Award for her continued work in supporting the gay and lesbian community, as well as the Women in Film Crystal Award.

2001: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

In 2001, Whoopi Goldberg became the first African-American female to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

2002: Tony Award for Thoroughly Modern Millie

In 2002, Whoopi Goldberg won a Tony Award as a producer of the Broadway musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie".

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2009: Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host

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.

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October 22, 2010: Return to Sister Act performance

On October 22, 2010, Whoopi Goldberg returned to perform in the musical "Sister Act" in London after leaving to attend to her mother's death.

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2015: Defense and change of stance on Bill Cosby allegations

In 2015, Whoopi Goldberg initially defended Bill Cosby against rape allegations, questioning the lack of arrest or trial. Later in 2015, she changed her stance, acknowledging the evidence pointing to Cosby's guilt and supported removing the statute of limitations for rape cases.

2017: Named a Disney Legend

In 2017, Whoopi Goldberg was named a Disney Legend for her contributions to the Walt Disney Company.

January 31, 2022: Controversial comments about the Holocaust

On January 31, 2022, Whoopi Goldberg made controversial statements on "The View" claiming the Holocaust was not about race. She apologized on Twitter later that day and then on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert", which drew further criticism. Goldberg was later suspended from "The View" for two weeks.

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