Whoopi Goldberg was born “Caryn Elaine Johnson” on November 13, 1955 in New York, New York. Her father Robert was a minister; her mother Emma was a housewife. She has a brother, Clyde Johnson. Caryn often had a problem with flatulence. It earned her the nickname of “Whoopie Cushion.” Later, when she entered into show business, Johnson kept the first word, added “Goldberg” to it, and “Whoopi Goldberg” was born. Her mother said her new name needed to sound Jewish so she could become wealthy. Read this interesting article and find out some little known facts about Whoopi Goldberg that will make you exclaim, Really?”
Growing Up Fast
Whoopi Goldberg attended the St. Columba Church Parish School in New York. She then went to the Washington Irving High School, but she soon dropped out. The teenager became a heroin addict. A little known fact about Whoopi Goldberg is that she began a relationship with her drug counselor, Alvin Martin. They married in 1973. Their daughter Alexandra was born the same year. The couple divorced six years later.
Employment
Just like most other actresses, Whoopi Goldberg worked a variety of jobs before she became a celebrity. She laid bricks, was a make-up artist at a mortuary and she worked as a bank teller.
Her Big Break
Whoopi Goldberg is known for her humorous creativity. She used her talents to develop “The Spook Show” in 1983. In this performance, Goldberg would make-up characters and do monologues. Her show hit Broadway where Steven Spielberg saw it and was impressed. He gave Goldberg a starring part in The Color Purple. The movie was released in 1985, and Whoopi Goldberg was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Leading Actress. She didn’t win that award, but she did win the Golden Globe. A little known fact about Whoopi Goldberg is that she holds the honor of being one of ten people who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony Award, including the Daytime Emmy Awards.
Her Career
Since The Color Purple, Whoopi Goldberg has acted in more than a hundred more films. Some of the most notable are: Jumpin’ Jack Flash (1986), Ghost (1990), Sister Act (1992), Made in America (1993), Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) and Star Trek: Generations (1994). (Daughter Alexandra had a bit part in Sister Act 2.)
Whoopi Goldberg- the five-foot-five-inch black woman, who is easily identified by her dreadlocks, the absence of eyebrows and her small, round glasses- is an author. In 1997, she penned “Book”, which is a collection of her thoughts and opinions. It was published by Avon in 1998.
Another little known fact about Whoopi Goldberg is that she also wrote “Whoopi’s Big Book of Manners”. It’s a children’s book that was published by Hyperion Books in 2006.
In August of 2007, Goldberg became a talk show co-host when she joined ABC’s “The View.”
Her Personality
It’s no secret that Whoopi Goldberg is outspoken and opinionated. She supports the Gay and Lesbian Alliance, human rights and the war against AIDS, among other causes. Sometimes, her mouth gets her in trouble. As was the case in 2004 when Whoopi was a spokes person for the Slim-Fast weight-loss plan. A little known fact about Whoopi Goldberg is that the company dropped her after she made a speech at a political rally. Goldberg made fun of President Bush. She even used his last name as a sexual reference.
Personal Life
Despite being diagnosed with Dyslexia and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Whoopi Goldberg has become successful in the entertainment world. She also suffers from aviophobia. So, instead of flying from place to place, Goldberg takes a bus.
It may be hard to imagine, but another little known fact about Whoopi Goldberg is that she became a grandmother in 1989. Her granddaughter, Amarah Skye, was born on Whoopie’s birthday. Her grandson, Jerzey, was born in 1995.
