Last Updated on March 2, 2024
Who Is Whoopi Goldberg?
Caryn Elaine Johnson, professionally known as Whoopi Goldberg, is an American actress, comedian, television personality, author, singer-songwriter, political activist, and businesswoman.
Caryn Johnson started her acting career by appearing in various stage performances in the early 80s. She was best known for her one-woman show, Spook Show. The show, whose title changed to Whoopi Goldberg, transferred to Broadway theater and run from 1984 to 1985.
After earning considerable fame through her Spook Show, Caryn Johnson decided to venture into the film industry full-time. Her debut and breakout role came in the 1985 drama film The Color Purple. Johnson continued with her stellar performance in the 90s films Ghost (1990), Sister Act (1992) and, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993).
In theater, Caryn Johnson has appeared in numerous Broadway productions. She starred in the Broadway revival of the ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’ musical by Stephen Sondheim. Her other notable Broadway appearance includes starring in the ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ play by August Wilson.
On television, Caryn Johnson is best known for her role as Guinan in the sci-fi series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Johnson has also worked as a co-host and moderator of the daytime talk show, The View, since 2007.
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Caryn Elaine Johnson |
Popular Name: | Whoopi Goldberg |
Gender: | Female |
Birth Date: | November 13, 1955 |
Age: | 67 years |
Parents: | Robert James Johnson Jr. and Emma Harris Johnson |
Siblings: | Clyde K. Johnson (deceased) |
Birth Place: | New York City, New York |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | African-American |
Education: | St Columba’s, Washington Irving High School, and Tisch School Of The Arts |
Marital Status: | Divorced; previously married to Alvin Martin (from 1973 until their divorce in 1979), David Claessen (from 1986 until their divorce in 1988), and Lyle Trachtenberg (from 1994 until their divorce in 1995) |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | N/A |
Children: | Alexandrea Martin (with her first husband Alvin Martin) |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | USD 65 million |
Source of Wealth: | Acting, Comedy, Television Show Hosting, Writing, Music & Album Sales, Activism, and Entrepreneurial Ventures |
Height: | 5′ 5″ (1.65 m) |
Weight: | 78 kg; In pounds: 172 lbs. |
Early Life and Acting Career
Caryn Elaine Johnson was born on November 13, 1955, in New York City, New York, to Robert James Johnson Jr. and Emma Harris Johnson. Her father was a Baptist clergyman, whereas her mother was a nurse and teacher.
Goldberg began her education at St Columba’s, a local catholic school. She later attended Washington Irving High School but never graduated from the institution.
In the 70s, Whoopi Goldberg traveled across California working several odd jobs, including as a bank teller, mortuary cosmetologist, bricklayer, etc.
In the 80s, Goldberg joined New York City’s HB Studio to train as an actress. She made her debut onscreen appearance in the 1982 avant-garde ensemble feature by filmmaker William Farley, titled ‘Citizen: I’m Not Losing My Mind, I’m Giving It Away.’ The following year, Goldberg created The Spook, a one-woman show made up of different character monologues.
Through the assistance of director Mike Nichols, Goldberg was able to transfer The Spook show to Broadway, changing its title to Whoopi Goldberg. The show debuted on Broadway on October 24, 1984 and run until March 10, 1985.
In 1985, Whoopi Goldberg landed her first and breakout film role in Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple. The film was a commercial and critical success, with most critics lauding Whoopi’s performance. Goldberg became one of the only few actors ever to have displayed amazing debut performances in movie history.
After establishing herself as a promising actress of her generation, it was only a matter of time before Whoopi Goldberg landed more film roles. Goldberg has since appeared in numerous acclaimed movies over the years, including:
• Jumpin’ Jack Flash (1986)
• Burglar (1987)
• Clara’s Heart (1988)
• Ghost (1990)
• Soapdish (1991)
• Sister Act (1992)
• The Player (1992)
• Sarafina! (1992)
• Made in America (1993)
• Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
• The Associate (1996)
• For Colored Girls (2010)
• Nobody’s Fool (2018)
• Furlough (2018)
In addition to movies, Whoopi Goldberg has also appeared in a number of television shows. Examples include HBO specials of Comic Relief, the situation comedy Bagdad Cafe, the sci-fi Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Whoopi Goldberg Show, and the series Everybody Hates Chris. More recently, Goldberg is known for hosting the daytime talk show, The View.
Other Ventures
Whoopi Goldberg has pursued numerous ventures outside the film industry. Goldberg has authored several children’s and non-fiction books.
They include:
• Whoopi’s Big Book of Manners (2006)
• Sugar Plum Ballerinas #1: Plum Fantastic (2008)
• Sugar Plum Ballerinas #2: Toeshoe Trouble (2009)
• Sugar Plum Ballerinas #3: Perfectly Prima (2010)
• Sugar Plum Ballerinas #4: Terrible Terrel (2010)
• Sugar Plum Ballerinas #5: CATastrophe (2011)
• Sugar Plum Ballerinas #6: Dancing Divas (2012)
• Alice (1992)
• Book (1997)
• Is It Just Me? Or Is It Nuts Out There? (2010)
• Whoopi’s Big Book of Relationships: If Someone Says “You Complete Me,” RUN! (2015)
Whoopi has also sung and composed numerous songs, including soundtracks to some of the movies she has starred in. She was involved in composing the soundtracks to the movies Sarafina (1992), Sister Act (1992), Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993), etc.
Currently, Goldberg is best known for her activism. She’s a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights and marijuana legalization.
Awards and Recognitions
Whoopi Goldberg has bagged quite a few prestigious awards over the years. She’s the only black woman ever to have won a Grammy, Oscar, Emmy, and Tony award.
Whoopi Goldberg’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Whoopi Goldberg had a net worth of $65 million. Goldberg has earned the vast majority of her wealth from acting, having appeared in over 150 films.
Besides the film and television industries, Goldberg has also earned her wealth from writing, singing, and songwriting.
Whoopi Goldberg is also a successful entrepreneur. In business circles, Goldberg is best known for being the co-founder of Whoopi & Maya, a company specializing in medical marijuana products for relieving menstrual cramps.
Lessons from Whoopi Goldberg
1. The sky is the limit
Whoopi Goldberg has been acting since the early 80s. Although she’s 65 years now, Goldberg hasn’t let her age slow her down. She continues to appear in award-winning films.
2. What doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger
In 1991, Whoopi Goldberg spoke about her abortions in the book ‘The Choices We Made: Twenty-Five Women and Men Speak Out About Abortion.’ In the book, Goldberg claims to have procured at least six abortions by the age of 25. That she survived these life-changing ordeals to emerge as one of the world’s most iconic actresses is clear proof that what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger.
3. Pursue happiness on your own terms
Whoopi Goldberg has been married three times. After divorcing her third husband in 1995, Goldberg vowed never to marry again, claiming that she’s happier unmarried and never really loved her former husbands.
Famous Quotes by Whoopi Goldberg
• An actress can only play a woman. I’m an actor, I can play anything.
• I am where I am because I believe in all possibilities.
• When you are kind to someone in trouble, you hope they’ll remember and be kind to someone else. And it’ll become like a wildfire.
• You know, be an actor because you love to act. Don’t be an actor because you think you’re going to get famous, because that’s luck.
• You’ve got to vote for someone. It’s a shame, but it’s got to be done.
Final Word
Whoopi Goldberg is an actress who has been around since 1982. Goldberg has appeared in over 150 films.
Besides acting, Whoopi has also enjoyed a successful comedy, acting, and business career. Her net worth is $65 million, as of 2023.