Whoopi Goldberg is a humans rights advocate and the television host for the longstanding talk show The View. She’s a talented actress and comedian all rolled up in one. She’s won Grammy Awards throughout her career too.

In the Beginning

Whoopi Goldberg was born on November 13, 1955 in New York City. She had a younger brother named Clyde. Their mother, Emma, raised them both in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. They lived in a housing project.

Whoopi’s father left the family to their own devices early on. Her mother worked several jobs including nursing and teaching in order to provide for her children. Whoopi changed her named when she made the decision the name she was born with was to boring.

At one point she had to drop of high school. She did not know it at the time, but she had dyslexia. This made it difficult for her to study and is why she eventually dropped out when she was only seventeen years old.

In 1974, Whoopi moved to California. She lived in various places in California for seven years including Los Angels, San Diego, and San Francisco. At one point she even worked as a mortuary beautician while she pursued her career in show business. While she was residing in San Franciso, she was able to win a Bay Area Theatre Award due to her portrayal of Moms Mabley.

She moved back to New York in 1983. Getting another break in her career when she starred in The Spook Show. Using her own comedy material at the time which addressed the racial issues in America using wit, style, and profundity.

Career Accomplishments

Whoopi Goldberg won a Grammy Award in 1985 for her role in a popular play in 1983. She saw a lot of success after he role in the film The Color Purple in 1985. In the 1990s she was the highest paid actress at the time. She’s won the top honors for a person in her profession. Along with an Oscar and a Mark Twain Award for American Humor. There are millions of Americans who tune into her TV program called The View as well.

Most Known For

Whoopi Goldberg has appeared in more than 80 TV productions and films throughout her career. Perhaps her best well known and celebrated performance is the one she did for The Color Purple. Her television series, The View, is also widely popular as well. Millions of Americans are known to tune in to see the show each day.

Current Personal Life

Whoopi was married for a while in the early 1970s to a man who had previously been her drug counselor. They had one child named Alexandrea, but divorced in 1974. In 1986, she marred a the camera man David Claessan. In 1988 the two split up. In the early 1990s, Whoopi did have a high profile romance going on with the actor Ted Danson.

Whoopi did go on to earn a Ph. D. in literature from New York University. She received an honorary degree too from Wilson College located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Where Are They Now

Whoopi has continued to pursue other creative endeavors after her time on The View. She was the director the documentary released in 2013 called Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley. The film explores her career life of being one of the first successful African-American women to be in stand-up comedy.

Whoopi’s career is long and varied. She’s made a dent in the industry, and has set a strong example for overcoming obstacles early in life for other women.