"Whoopi Goldberg, born Caryn Elaine Johnson, is a multi-talented American entertainer celebrated for her work as an actor, comedian, author, and television personality. Her exceptional career has garnered numerous awards, including the prestigious EGOT, making her one of only 19 individuals to achieve this distinction. This remarkable accomplishment encompasses an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. Furthermore, her comedic brilliance was recognized with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2001."
November 13, 1955: Birth of Whoopi Goldberg
On November 13, 1955, Caryn Elaine Johnson, who would later be known as Whoopi Goldberg, was born in Manhattan, New York City.
1973: Marriage to Alvin Martin
Whoopi Goldberg married drug counselor Alvin Martin in 1973.
May 9, 1974: Birth of Alexandrea Martin
Whoopi Goldberg gave birth to her daughter, Alexandrea Martin, on May 9, 1974.
1979: Divorce from Alvin Martin
Whoopi Goldberg and Alvin Martin divorced in 1979.
1983: Creation of "The Spook Show"
Whoopi Goldberg developed her one-woman show, "The Spook Show," in 1983, which served as a springboard for her career.
1983: Career Beginnings and "Spook Show"
Whoopi Goldberg's career began in 1983 with her one-woman show, "Spook Show," which showcased her comedic and acting talents.
October 24, 1984: Broadway Opening of "Whoopi Goldberg"
Whoopi Goldberg's one-woman show, retitled "Whoopi Goldberg," opened on Broadway on October 24, 1984.
1984: "Spook Show" on Broadway
In 1984, "Spook Show" moved to Broadway under the title "Whoopi Goldberg," further solidifying her presence in the entertainment industry.
March 10, 1985: Closing Night of "Whoopi Goldberg" on Broadway
After a successful run, "Whoopi Goldberg" closed on Broadway on March 10, 1985.
1985: Grammy Award Win
Whoopi Goldberg won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording for "Whoopi Goldberg: Direct from Broadway" in 1985.
1985: Breakthrough in "The Color Purple"
Whoopi Goldberg's breakthrough film role came in 1985 with her portrayal of Celie in Steven Spielberg's "The Color Purple," earning her critical acclaim.
1985: Drama Desk Award Win
Whoopi Goldberg received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show for her solo Broadway performance in 1985.
1986: Marriage to David Claessen
Whoopi Goldberg married cinematographer David Claessen in 1986.
1986: Golden Globe Win for "The Color Purple"
Whoopi Goldberg won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her performance in "The Color Purple" in 1986.
1988: Divorce from David Claessen
Whoopi Goldberg and David Claessen divorced in 1988.
January 1990: Goldberg stars in Bagdad Cafe and The Long Walk Home
In January 1990, Whoopi Goldberg starred with Jean Stapleton in the CBS situation comedy Bagdad Cafe, which was inspired by the 1987 film of the same name. Simultaneously, she portrayed a woman in the US civil rights movement in the film The Long Walk Home.
1990: Academy Award for "Ghost"
In 1990, Whoopi Goldberg won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as a psychic in the film "Ghost."
1990: Honorary Harlem Globetrotter
Whoopi Goldberg was named an honorary member of the Harlem Globetrotters exhibition basketball team in 1990.
1991: Best Supporting Actress Win
Whoopi Goldberg won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in "Ghost" in 1991.
1991: BAFTA and Golden Globe Win for "Ghost"
Whoopi Goldberg won both a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Ghost" in 1991.
1991: American Comedy Award Win for "Ghost"
Whoopi Goldberg won the American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actress for her role in "Ghost" in 1991.
1991: Shared Abortion Experience
Whoopi Goldberg shared her experience with abortion in the book "The Choices We Made: Twenty-Five Women and Men Speak Out About Abortion", published in 1991.
May 29, 1992: Release of Sister Act
On May 29, 1992, the film Sister Act was released. It grossed well over US$200 million (equivalent to $434 million in 2023), and Whoopi Goldberg was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance.
1992: "Sister Act" Success
Whoopi Goldberg starred in the comedy "Sister Act" in 1992, which became a box office hit and further cemented her star power.
1993: "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit"
Whoopi Goldberg reprised her role in the sequel "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" in 1993, demonstrating her comedic range.
1993: American Comedy Award Win for "Sister Act"
Whoopi Goldberg won the American Comedy Award for Funniest Actress for her role in "Sister Act" in 1993.
1993: Friars Club Roast Controversy
Whoopi Goldberg wrote jokes for Ted Danson's controversial Friars Club roast in 1993, where he appeared in blackface, and defended him amidst the media backlash.
1994: First black woman to host the Academy Awards
In 1994, Whoopi Goldberg became the first black woman to host the Academy Awards ceremony, starting with the 66th Oscar telecast.
1994: Marriage to Lyle Trachtenberg
Whoopi Goldberg married union organizer Lyle Trachtenberg in 1994.
1995: Divorce from Lyle Trachtenberg
Whoopi Goldberg and Lyle Trachtenberg divorced in 1995.
1996: Broadway Revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
In 1996, Whoopi Goldberg replaced Nathan Lane as Pseudolus in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Her performance was well-received for its modern style.
October 1997: Publication of Book
In October 1997, Whoopi Goldberg and ghostwriter Daniel Paisner co-wrote a book titled Book, a collection featuring Goldberg's insights and opinions.
1998: Hollywood Squares Center Square
In 1998, Whoopi Goldberg gained a new audience when she became the 'Center Square' on Hollywood Squares, hosted by Tom Bergeron. She also served as executive producer, earning four Emmy Award nominations.
1999: GLAAD and Women in Film Awards
Whoopi Goldberg received both the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Vanguard Award and the Women in Film Crystal Award in 1999.
2000: Performance in "Golden Dreams" at Disney California Adventure Park
Whoopi Goldberg took on the regal role of Califia, the Queen of the Island of California, in a theatrical production called "Golden Dreams" at Disney California Adventure Park in 2000. This show, depicting the history of California, premiered on February 8, 2001, as part of the park's opening.
February 8, 2001: Premiere of "Golden Dreams"
"Golden Dreams," the Disney California Adventure Park show in which Whoopi Goldberg starred, officially premiered to the public on February 8, 2001.
2001: Hosted The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas
In 2001, Whoopi Goldberg hosted the documentary short The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
2001: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
In 2001, Whoopi Goldberg was honored with the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
2001: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Whoopi Goldberg was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2001, becoming the first African-American woman to receive this honor.
2002: Tony Award Win
Whoopi Goldberg won a Tony Award as a producer of the Broadway musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie" in 2002.
2003: Starred in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
In 2003, Whoopi Goldberg returned to the stage, starring as blues singer Ma Rainey in the Broadway revival of August Wilson's historical drama Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at the Royale Theatre.
July 2004: Controversy at John Kerry Fundraiser
In July 2004, Whoopi Goldberg was involved in controversy at a fundraiser for John Kerry at Radio City Music Hall in New York when she made a sexual joke about President George W. Bush. As a result, Slim-Fast dropped her from their ad campaign.
July 2006: Host of Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour
In July 2006, Whoopi Goldberg became the face of the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour, appearing in various video clips displayed on monitors throughout the tram ride, much to the delight of guests.
September 4, 2007: New Moderator and Co-Host of "The View"
Whoopi Goldberg stepped into the role of moderator and co-host on "The View" on September 4, 2007, succeeding Rosie O'Donnell. Although her debut attracted a slightly smaller audience than O'Donnell's, the show experienced a 7% viewership increase within two weeks under her leadership.
2007: Co-host of "The View"
In 2007, Whoopi Goldberg began her tenure as co-host and moderator of the daytime talk show "The View."
July 14, 2008: Announcement of Broadway Performance in "Xanadu"
On July 14, 2008, Whoopi Goldberg delighted "The View" audience by announcing her upcoming role in the Broadway musical "Xanadu" from July 29 to September 7.
September 2008: Closure of "Golden Dreams"
The curtain closed on Whoopi Goldberg's performance in "Golden Dreams" at Disney California Adventure Park in September 2008, making way for the upcoming Little Mermaid ride.
November 13, 2008: Announcement of "Sister Act: The Musical" Production
Coinciding with her birthday on November 13, 2008, Whoopi Goldberg shared exciting news on "The View." She revealed her plans to produce the premiere of "Sister Act: The Musical" at the London Palladium in collaboration with Stage Entertainment.
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.
2009: Daytime Emmy Award Win
Whoopi Goldberg and her co-hosts on "The View" won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host in 2009.
2009: Controversial Remarks on Roman Polanski Case
Whoopi Goldberg sparked controversy in 2009 when she expressed her opinion that Roman Polanski's 1977 conviction for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old was not "rape-rape," aiming to distinguish it from forcible rape. Her remarks ignited debate and criticism.
January 14, 2010: Guest Appearance in "The Lion King"
Whoopi Goldberg graced the stage of the Minskoff Theatre on January 14, 2010, for a special one-night-only performance in the wildly popular musical "The Lion King."
April 1, 2010: Support for Cyndi Lauper's "Give a Damn" Campaign
Whoopi Goldberg joined forces with Cyndi Lauper on April 1, 2010, to launch the "Give a Damn" campaign, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about discrimination against the LGBT community and encouraging allyship.
July 2010: Ride of Fame Honoree
In July 2010, Whoopi Goldberg was honored with a double-decker tour bus in New York City by the Ride of Fame for her lifetime achievements.
August 29, 2010: Death of Emma Johnson
Whoopi Goldberg's mother, Emma Johnson, died on August 29, 2010, after suffering a stroke.
October 22, 2010: Return to "Sister Act" Performance
Whoopi Goldberg returned to her performance in the musical "Sister Act" on October 22, 2010, after taking time off following her mother's death.
October 30, 2010: Closing Night of "Sister Act" in London's West End
After a successful run, though briefly interrupted due to a family emergency, Whoopi Goldberg's time as the Mother Superior in the West End production of "Sister Act" concluded on October 30, 2010.
2010: Starred in For Colored Girls and Voiced Stretch in Toy Story 3
In 2010, Whoopi Goldberg starred in the Tyler Perry movie For Colored Girls and voiced the character Stretch in the Disney/Pixar animated movie Toy Story 3. Both films received critical acclaim.
2011: Tony Award Nomination for "Sister Act"
Whoopi Goldberg received a Tony Award nomination in 2011 for her role in the stage adaptation of "Sister Act."
2011: Interview with Piers Morgan
In a 2011 interview with Piers Morgan, Whoopi Goldberg shared her perspective on marriage, stating her lack of desire to remarry.
2011: Recurring Role on Glee
In 2011, Whoopi Goldberg had a recurring role on the television series Glee as Carmen Tibideaux, a renowned Broadway performer and opera singer.
May 9, 2012: Public Announcement of NRA Membership
During an episode of "The View" that aired on May 9, 2012, Whoopi Goldberg surprised many by revealing her membership in the National Rifle Association.
2015: Shifting Stance on Bill Cosby Allegations
Initially, in 2015, Whoopi Goldberg defended Bill Cosby against rape allegations, questioning the lack of arrests or trials. However, as more information emerged, she revised her position, acknowledging the mounting evidence pointing towards Cosby's guilt. She also advocated for eliminating the statute of limitations on rape cases.
2015: Death of Brother, Clyde
Whoopi Goldberg's brother, Clyde, passed away from a brain aneurysm in 2015.
April 2016: Launch of Whoopi & Maya, a Medical Cannabis Company
Whoopi Goldberg, inspired by her own experiences with menstrual discomfort, co-founded Whoopi & Maya in April 2016. The company focused on providing women with medical cannabis products designed to alleviate period pain.
2016: Executive Producer of "Strut"
In 2016, Whoopi Goldberg took on the role of executive producer for the reality television series "Strut," a show centered around transgender models from Slay Model Management in Los Angeles, which aired on Oxygen.
May 2017: Advocacy for Transgender Rights at GLAAD Media Awards
In May 2017, Whoopi Goldberg used her platform at the 28th GLAAD Media Awards to speak out in support of transgender rights, further solidifying her commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy.
2017: Voice Acting in "Descendants 2"
Whoopi Goldberg lent her voice to the character of Ursula, the iconic Sea Witch and Uma's mother, in the 2017 TV movie "Descendants 2."
2017: Named a Disney Legend
Whoopi Goldberg was named a Disney Legend in 2017 for her significant contributions to the Walt Disney Company.
2017: Women's March Speaker
In 2017, Whoopi Goldberg was a speaker at the Women's March in New York City.
2018: Starring Roles in "Nobody's Fool" and "Furlough"
Whoopi Goldberg had a busy 2018, starring in two films. She appeared alongside Tiffany Haddish, Omari Hardwick, Mehcad Brooks, Amber Riley, and Tika Sumpter in Tyler Perry's "Nobody's Fool." Additionally, she graced the screen in the comedy-drama "Furlough" with Tessa Thompson, Melissa Leo, and Anna Paquin.
March 2019: Health Issues and Hiatus
In March 2019, Whoopi Goldberg announced that she was battling pneumonia and sepsis, leading to a break from "The View".
2019: Voice Acting in "Into the Woods"
Whoopi Goldberg showcased her vocal talents in 2019 by taking on the role of the Giant's Wife in a Hollywood Bowl production of the musical "Into the Woods."
January 22, 2020: Return to "Star Trek: Picard" and Role in "The Stand"
On January 22, 2020, a momentous event occurred for Whoopi Goldberg when Patrick Stewart extended an invitation on "The View" for her to reprise her beloved role as Guinan in the second season of "Star Trek: Picard," an offer she eagerly accepted. In the same year, she took on the role of 108-year-old Mother Abagail in "The Stand," a CBS All Access miniseries adapted from Stephen King's 1978 novel.
February 2020: Closure of Whoopi & Maya
In February 2020, Whoopi Goldberg and her business partner made the difficult decision to cease operations of their medical cannabis company, Whoopi & Maya.
January 24, 2021: AmAIRican Grabbuddies Fundraiser
On January 24, 2021, Whoopi Goldberg appeared alongside Tom Everett Scott on The George Lucas Talk Show to raise funds for the ASPCA.
2021: Launch of "Emma & Clyde" Cannabis Product Line
Whoopi Goldberg ventured back into the cannabis industry in 2021 with the launch of "Emma & Clyde," a new line of products named in honor of her late mother and brother.
January 31, 2022: Suspension from "The View" Over Holocaust Remarks
On January 31, 2022, Whoopi Goldberg's comments on "The View" regarding the Holocaust ignited widespread condemnation. Her assertion that the Holocaust was not rooted in race but rather "man's inhumanity to man" and that it involved "white people doing it to white people" sparked outrage. Despite subsequent apologies, her remarks led to a two-week suspension from the show.
2022: Comments on Abortion Rights
Following the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum, Whoopi Goldberg voiced her support for abortion rights.