Whoopi Goldberg Headshot

Whoopi Goldberg

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Whoopi Goldberg BIO

Goldberg began her career on stage in 1983 with her one-woman show, Spook Show, which transferred to Broadway under the title Whoopi Goldberg, running from 1984 to 1985. She won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for the recording of the show. Her film breakthrough came in 1985 with her role as Celie, a mistreated woman in the Deep South, in Steven Spielberg's period drama film The Color Purple, for which she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. For her role as an eccentric psychic in the romantic fantasy film Ghost (1990), she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and a second Golden Globe Award. She starred in the comedy Sister Act (1992) and its sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993), becoming the highest-paid actress at the time. She also starred in Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986), Clara's Heart (1988), Soapdish (1991), Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), and Till (2022). She also is known for voicing roles in The Lion King (1994), and Toy Story 3 (2010).

On stage, Goldberg has starred in the Broadway revivals of Stephen Sondheim's musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and August Wilson's play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. She won a Tony Award as a producer of the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. In 2011 she received her third Tony Award nomination for the stage adaptation of Sister Act (2011). She made her West End stage debut in a special limited run as Mother Superior in "Sister Act: The Musical" in 2011.

Whoopi has also produced numerous series, specials and movies for television, as well as theatrical productions on Broadway and around the world, including the Tony Award-winning "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and the Tony-nominated "Sister Act: The Musical."

On television, Goldberg portrayed Guinan in the science fiction series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1988-1993), and Star Trek: Picard (2022). Since 2007, she has co-hosted and moderated the daytime talk show The View, for which she won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host. She has hosted the Academy Awards ceremony four times.

Whoopi Goldberg Photos

Whoopi Goldberg STAGE CREDITS

[Los Angeles]
Hollywood Bowl Revival, 2019
Giant

[Off-Broadway]
Roundabout Concert Production, 2017
Applegate

[Off-Broadway]
New York Premiere Production, 2016
Performer [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Radio City Musical Hall Production, 2015
Statue of Liberty (voice)

[West End]
Original London Production, 2009
Mother Superior [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2007
Aphrodite [Replacement]

Calliope [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Stephen Sondheim Tribute Benefit, 2005
Performer

[Broadway]
The 20th Anniversary Show, 2004
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2003
Ma Rainey

[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2002
Fanny Brice

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Prologus [Replacement]

Pseudolus [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1984
Performer

Whoopi Goldberg Productions

 
[West End, 2022]
Producer
 
[US Tour, 2012]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Producer
 
[West End, 2009]
Producer
 
[US Tour, 2003]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Producer
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2000]
Producer
 
[New York, 1999]
Producer

Writing

Playwright

Whoopi Goldberg Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama League Awards - 2011 - Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Whoopi Goldberg

Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Musical

Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act


winner
Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Musical

Whoopi Goldberg, Thoroughly Modern Millie


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1985 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Whoopi Goldberg, Whoopi Goldberg


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1985 - Best Debut Performance

Whoopi Goldberg, Whoopi Goldberg


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1985 - Performance

Whoopi Goldberg, Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg Videos

Whoopi Goldberg News


El Capitan Theatre Presents ONE NIGHT ONLY Featuring SISTER ACT, MRS. DOUBTFIRE, And More


Join the El Capitan Theatre for 'One Night Only' from April 27-30, as it brings back four cherished favorites to the big screen. Don't miss this unique cinematic experience.

12th Annual NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS to Take Place at Joe's Pub in June


The 12th annual “Night of a Thousand Judys” – the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center written and hosted by Justin Elizabeth Sayre – will be performed at Joe’s Pub. Learn more about the event and see how to purchase tickets.

Review: GHOST: THE MUSICAL at Music Theatre of Connecticut


GHOST: THE MUSICAL closes 37th season at Music Theatre Of Connecticut with a heartwarming story.

Casey Donovan to Star as Deloris Van Cartier in SISTER ACT Musical in Australia


Casey Donovan has been confirmed to lead the cast of the most heavenly of musicals, Sister Act, when it opens at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney from August and the Regent Theatre in Melbourne from November.

National Dance Institute To Host 48th Annual Gala At Ziegfeld Ballroom


National Dance Institute (NDI) will return to the Ziegfeld Ballroom for its Annual Gala on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Garden Of Dreams Talent Show Returns To Radio City Music Hall Next Month


On the heels of a record-setting Garden of Laughs fundraiser, the annual Garden of Dreams Talent Show will return to Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 7:00PM.

Review: DAMN YANKEES at Desert Theatricals


What did our critic think of DAMN YANKEES at Desert Theatricals?

Kathy Griffin Brings Her Live Tour To Madison This Month


Kathy Griffin is returning to the stage with her brand-new standup comedy show tour, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the PTSD-List.

WAITRESS, FAT HAM & More Set for San Francisco Playhouse 2024/25 Season


San Francisco Playhouse has revealed its 22nd season, to be presented September 2024 to September 2025. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

Grand Jury and Audience Award Films Announced at 27th Sonoma International Film Festival


Luminaries such as Golden Globe®-winner Beau Bridges, actor/director John Cameron Mitchell, actor Scoot McNairy, chef Susan Feniger, musician Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation, and more than 150 filmmakers, distinguished press, and industry guests converged on the award-winning wine country film festival March 20-24.

Review: THE COLOR PURPLE at Theater Latte Da


What did our critic think of THE COLOR PURPLE at Theater Latte Da?

Active Voice Productions To Screen LOCKDOWN 2022 In Support of Arizona Theatre Matters


Active Voice Productions will present its award-winning comedy, LOCKDOWN 2020, in a pay-what-you-like online screening to support Arizona Theatre Matters.

Review Roundup: Laurence Fishburne in LIKE THEY DO IN THE MOVIES


Laurence Fishburne's Like They Do In The Movies, directed by Leonard Foglia, just celebrated its opening night at PAC NYC. Check out what the critics are saying about the new show.

Review: SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL, Dominion Theatre


Sister Act The Musical’s tagline is “A Divine Musical Comedy” but whether the gods were for or against the film or this later version is debatable.

Broadway Licensing Global Acquires Works of John Leguizamo


Broadway Licensing Global has acquired all works by playwright and actor, John Leguizamo. Learn more aboutt he titles here!

WP Gala Will Honor Sutton Foster, LaChanze, and Anne Quart; Hosted by Eden Espinosa


The honorees have been revealed for the WP Theater 2024 Annual Gala, which include Sutton Foster, LaChanze, and Anne Quart. The event will be hosted by Eden Espinosa  at The Edison Ballroom on Monday, May 20, 2024.

Photo: Whoopi Goldberg Visits SPAMALOT on Broadway


Check out a photo of Whoopi Goldberg visiting Spamalot on Broadway! Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Kennedy Center Teams Up With Netflix To Stream Mark Twain Prize


The Kennedy Center collaborates with Netflix to stream the Mark Twain Prize, and sets the cast. Get the latest updates on this exciting partnership and the star-studded cast lineup. This year's program will feature a cast of leading performers, including Dave Burd aka “Lil Dicky,” Dave Chappelle, Jimmy Fallon, Tiffany Haddish, and more.

National Asian American Theatre Co. Announces New National Partners and Upcoming Productions for 2024-'25


NAATCO partners with new organizations to increase Asian American representation in the arts and has announced upcoming Off-Broadway productions.

Feature: Sanne Wallis De Vries en April Darby Spelen Hoofdrollen in Musical SISTER ACT!


Sanne Wallis de Vries en April Darby gaan de hoofdrollen spelen in Sister Act. De internationale hitmusical, die eerder al groot succes behaalde in Nederland, keert terug en is vanaf november te zien door het hele land. April Darby kruipt in de rol van discodiva Deloris en Sanne Wallis de Vries neemt de rol van Moeder Overste op zich. 

Whoopi Goldberg FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Whoopi Goldberg been in?

Whoopi Goldberg has appeared on Broadway in 7 shows.

How many West End shows has Whoopi Goldberg been in?

Whoopi Goldberg has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Whoopi Goldberg's first West End show?

Whoopi Goldberg's first West End show was Sister Act which opened in 2009

What awards has Whoopi Goldberg been nominated for?

Whoopi Goldberg has been nominated for several prestigious awards in the theater industry, including Unique Contribution to the Theatre at the Drama League Awards, Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "Sister Act" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie," Outstanding Solo Performance at the Drama Desk Awards for Whoopi Goldberg, Best Debut Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Whoopi Goldberg, and Performance at the Theatre World Awards for Whoopi Goldberg.

What awards has Whoopi Goldberg won?

Whoopi Goldberg has won several awards for her contributions to the theater, including the Unique Contribution to the Theatre from the Drama League Awards, Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "Thoroughly Modern Millie," Outstanding Solo Performance at the Drama Desk Awards, Best Debut Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and a Performance award from the Theatre World Awards.

How many shows has Whoopi Goldberg written?

Whoopi Goldberg has written 1 shows including Whoopi (Playwright).

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