History of Whoopi Goldberg in Timeline
Whoopi Goldberg, born Caryn Elaine Johnson, is an acclaimed American entertainer renowned as an actor, comedian, author, and television personality. Her exceptional talent has earned her EGOT status, signifying her achievement of winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. Her contributions to American humor were further recognized in 2001 with the prestigious Mark Twain Prize.
1973: Marriage to Alvin Martin
In 1973, Whoopi Goldberg married drug counselor Alvin Martin.
May 9, 1974: Birth of Daughter Alexandrea Martin
On May 9, 1974, Whoopi Goldberg gave birth to her daughter, Alexandrea Martin, who would later become an actress and producer.
1977: Controversial Comments on Roman Polanski case
In 1977, Roman Polanski's rape conviction of a thirteen-year-old
1979: Divorce from Alvin Martin
In 1979, Whoopi Goldberg divorced Alvin Martin.
1985: Drama Desk Award
In 1985, Whoopi Goldberg received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show for her solo performance on Broadway.
1986: Marriage to David Claessen
In 1986, Whoopi Goldberg married cinematographer David Claessen.
1986: Golden Globe Award for The Color Purple
In 1986, Whoopi Goldberg won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her role in The Color Purple.
1987: Participation in the 1987 March on Washington
Whoopi Goldberg's high-profile support for LGBTQ rights and AIDS activism dates from the 1987 March on Washington, in which she participated.
1988: Divorce from David Claessen
In 1988, Whoopi Goldberg divorced David Claessen.
1990: Honorary Harlem Globetrotter
In 1990, Whoopi Goldberg was officially named an honorary member of the Harlem Globetrotters exhibition basketball team.
1991: Speaking Out About Abortion
In 1991, Whoopi Goldberg spoke out about her abortion experiences in The Choices We Made: Twenty-Five Women and Men Speak Out About Abortion, detailing her experience using a coat hanger to terminate a pregnancy at age 14 and having six or seven abortions by age 25.
1991: American Comedy Award for Ghost
In 1991, Whoopi Goldberg won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actress for her role in Ghost.
1991: Awards for Ghost
In 1991, Whoopi Goldberg won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in Ghost. She also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress for Ghost.
1991: Accepting Best Supporting Actress Award
Whoopi Goldberg has stated that she smoked marijuana before accepting the Best Supporting Actress award for Ghost in 1991.
1993: Danson's Friars Club Roast Controversy
In 1993, Ted Danson controversially 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 Sister Act
In 1993, Whoopi Goldberg won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Actress for her role in Sister Act.
1994: Marriage to Lyle Trachtenberg
In 1994, Whoopi Goldberg married union organizer Lyle Trachtenberg.
1995: Divorce from Lyle Trachtenberg
In 1995, Whoopi Goldberg divorced Lyle Trachtenberg.
1997: Anecdote in Trekkies
In 1997, according to an anecdote told by Nichelle Nichols in Trekkies, a young Whoopi Goldberg exclaimed, "Momma! There's a black lady on television and she ain't no maid!" upon seeing Nichols' character Uhura in Star Trek, which sparked Goldberg's lifelong Star Trek fandom.
1999: Awards for Supporting the Gay Community
In 1999, Whoopi Goldberg received the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Vanguard Award and the Women in Film Crystal Award for her work supporting the gay and lesbian community and expanding the role of women in the entertainment industry.
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.
2001: Hosting 'The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas' and portraying Death in 'Monkeybone'
In 2001, Whoopi Goldberg hosted 'The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas', a documentary short, and portrayed Death in the film 'Monkeybone'.
2002: Completing the EGOT
In 2002, Whoopi Goldberg achieved the EGOT status by winning 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 became the first Black woman to achieve this honor in 2002.
2002: Tony Award Win
In 2002, Whoopi Goldberg won a Tony Award as a producer of the Broadway musical Thoroughly Modern Millie.
2003: Return to Television and Broadway Stage
In 2003, Whoopi Goldberg returned to television with 'Whoopi', which was cancelled after one season. 2003 was also the year she starred as Ma Rainey in the Broadway revival of 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' and served as one of the show's producers.
July 2004: Controversy at John Kerry Fundraiser and Slim-Fast Fallout
In July 2004, Whoopi Goldberg faced controversy for making a sexual joke about President George W. Bush at a fundraiser for John Kerry, leading Slim-Fast to drop her from their ad campaign. Also in July 2004, she revived her one-woman show on Broadway.
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: Hosting 'Wake Up with Whoopi'
In August 2006, Whoopi Goldberg began hosting 'Wake Up with Whoopi', a nationally syndicated morning radio talk and entertainment program.
2006: Appearing at Comic Relief's 20th Anniversary
In 2006, Whoopi Goldberg appeared during the 20th anniversary of Comic Relief.
September 4, 2007: Debut as Moderator on The View
On September 4, 2007, Whoopi Goldberg became the new moderator and co-host of The View, replacing Rosie O'Donnell.
October 2007: Announcement of Retirement from Acting
In October 2007, Whoopi Goldberg announced on air that she was planning to retire from acting due to lack of roles.
February 18, 2008: The Naked Brothers Band on The View
On February 18, 2008, The Naked Brothers Band appeared on The View and were interviewed by Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd.
March 2008: End of hosting 'Wake Up with Whoopi'
In March 2008, Whoopi Goldberg finished hosting 'Wake Up with Whoopi', a nationally syndicated morning radio talk and entertainment program.
July 14, 2008: Announcing Performance in 'Xanadu'
On July 14, 2008, Whoopi Goldberg announced on 'The View' that she would be performing in the Broadway musical 'Xanadu' from July 29 to September 7.
November 13, 2008: Announcement of Producing 'Sister Act: The Musical'
On November 13, 2008, Whoopi Goldberg announced live on 'The View' on her birthday that she would be producing 'Sister Act: The Musical' at the London Palladium.
December 13, 2008: Guest appearance on 'The Naked Brothers Band'
On December 13, 2008, Whoopi Goldberg guest starred on 'The Naked Brothers Band', a Nickelodeon television series.
2008: Advocacy for Human Rights and Junior Eurovision Message
In 2008, Whoopi Goldberg moderated a panel on social networks and violent extremism at the Alliance of Youth Movements Summit, gave a message at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest stressing the importance of UNICEF.
2009: Moderating a 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: Controversial Comments on Roman Polanski case
In 2009, Whoopi Goldberg stated that Roman Polanski's rape conviction of a thirteen-year-old in 1977 was not "rape-rape".
2009: Daytime Emmy Award for The View
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: One-Night-Only Performance in 'The Lion King'
On January 14, 2010, Whoopi Goldberg made a one-night-only appearance at the Minskoff Theatre to perform in the musical 'The Lion King'.
April 1, 2010: Launch of Give a Damn Campaign
On April 1, 2010, Whoopi Goldberg joined Cyndi Lauper in the launch of her Give a Damn campaign, promoting awareness of discrimination against the LGBT community.
July 2010: Ride of Fame Honor
In July 2010, the Ride of Fame honored Whoopi Goldberg with a double-decker tour bus in New York City to celebrate her life's achievements.
August 29, 2010: Death of Mother Emma Johnson
On August 29, 2010, Whoopi Goldberg's mother, Emma Johnson, passed away after suffering a stroke. Goldberg temporarily left her role in the musical Sister Act in London at the time.
October 22, 2010: Return to Sister Act
On October 22, 2010, Whoopi Goldberg returned to perform in the musical Sister Act in London after taking a leave due to the death of her mother.
October 30, 2010: Closing of 'Sister Act' on West End
On October 30, 2010, the musical version of 'Sister Act', where Goldberg was playing Mother Superior in West End, closed.
2011: Cameo in The Muppets
In 2011, Whoopi Goldberg had a cameo appearance in The Muppets.
2011: Piers Morgan Interview
In a 2011 interview with Piers Morgan, Whoopi Goldberg stated she was never in love with the men she married and that she is more committed to her family than romantic relationships.
May 9, 2012: Membership in the National Rifle Association
On May 9, 2012, Whoopi Goldberg stated on an episode of The View that she is a member of the National Rifle Association of America.
2012: Guest Starring in The Middle
In 2012, Whoopi Goldberg guest starred as Jane Marsh, Sue Heck's guidance counselor, on The Middle.
2014: Portrayal in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
In 2014, Whoopi Goldberg portrayed a character in the superhero film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, appeared in Chris Rock's Top Five and starred in Big Stone Gap.
2015: Initial Defense and Subsequent Change of Stance on Bill Cosby Allegations
In 2015, Whoopi Goldberg initially defended Bill Cosby against rape allegations but later changed her stance, acknowledging the evidence pointed to guilt.
2015: Death of Brother Clyde
In 2015, Whoopi Goldberg's brother, Clyde, died of a brain aneurysm.
April 2016: Launch of Whoopi & Maya
In April 2016, Whoopi Goldberg co-founded Whoopi & Maya, a company specializing in medical cannabis products designed to alleviate menstrual cramps in women. Goldberg's personal experience with difficult periods and the relief she found in cannabis inspired her to start the company.
2016: Executive Producer of Strut
In 2016, Whoopi Goldberg executive produced a reality television series called Strut, based on transgender models.
May 2017: Support for Transgender Rights at GLAAD Media Awards
In May 2017, Whoopi Goldberg spoke in support of transgender rights at the 28th GLAAD Media Awards.
2017: Voice of Ursula in Descendants 2
In 2017, Whoopi Goldberg voiced Ursula, the Sea Witch in the TV movie Descendants 2.
2017: Speaker at the 2017 Women's March in New York City
In 2017, Whoopi Goldberg was a speaker at the Women's March in New York City.
2017: Disney Legend Award
In 2017, Whoopi Goldberg was named a Disney Legend for her contributions to the Walt Disney Company.
2018: Starring in 'Nobody's Fool' and 'Furlough'
In 2018, Whoopi Goldberg starred in Tyler Perry's film 'Nobody's Fool', and in the comedy-drama film 'Furlough'.
March 2019: Health Issues and Leave of Absence
In March 2019, Whoopi Goldberg revealed she was battling pneumonia and sepsis, causing her to take a leave of absence from The View.
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: Invitation to Reprise Role in 'Star Trek: Picard'
On January 22, 2020, Patrick Stewart invited Whoopi Goldberg on The View to reprise her role as Guinan in the second season of 'Star Trek: Picard', which she accepted. Also in 2020, it was announced that Goldberg would return in Sister Act 3.
February 2020: Whoopi & Maya ceasing operations
In February 2020, Whoopi Goldberg's company, Whoopi & Maya, which produced medical cannabis products for women, 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, where she spoke about her time working on Snow Buddies and raised money for the ASPCA.
2021: Starring and Producing the film Till
In 2021, Goldberg starred in the biographical film Till, focusing on the lynching of Emmett Till, and played Till's grandmother.
2021: Launch of Emma & Clyde
In 2021, Whoopi Goldberg launched a new line of cannabis products called "Emma & Clyde", named in honor of her late mother and brother.
January 31, 2022: Controversial Comments on the Holocaust and Suspension from The View
On January 31, 2022, Whoopi Goldberg made controversial comments on The View about the Holocaust not being about race, leading to widespread criticism, apologies, and a two-week suspension from the show.
2022: Views on Abortion Rights
After the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum, Whoopi Goldberg claimed that God would support abortion rights because he gave women freedom of choice.
2023: Cameo in The Color Purple and Supporting Roles in Ezra and Outlaw Posse
In 2023, Whoopi Goldberg appeared in a cameo role in the musical film The Color Purple, playing a midwife. She also took supporting roles in the drama Ezra and the western Outlaw Posse.
December 4, 2024: Return to Stage in Annie
On December 4, 2024, Whoopi Goldberg returned to the stage playing Miss Hannigan in the musical Annie, it will be a limited engagement at The Theater at Madison Square Garden to January 5, 2025.
2024: Supporting Roles in Outlaw Posse
In 2024, Whoopi Goldberg appeared in supporting roles in the western Outlaw Posse.
January 5, 2025: Return to Stage in Annie
On January 5, 2025, Whoopi Goldberg will finished in stage playing Miss Hannigan in the musical Annie, it was a limited engagement at The Theater at Madison Square Garden from December 4, 2024,.
June 13, 2025: Co-founding of AWSN
On June 13, 2025, Whoopi Goldberg announced on CBS Mornings that she had co-founded an all women's sports network (AWSN) that is streaming on Pluto TV.
November 17, 2025: Filming Italian Soap Opera Un Posto al Sole
On November 17, 2025, Whoopi Goldberg started filming the Italian soap opera Un Posto al Sole in a recurring role.
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