Whoopi Goldberg: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 9, 2026

Facts

Also Known As	Caryn Elaine Johnson
Born	November 13, 1955 (age 71) • New York City • New York • (Born on this day)
Awards And Honors	Emmy Award • EGOT • Tony Awards (2002) • Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2001) • Academy Award (1991) • Golden Globe Award (1991) • Golden Globe Award (1986) • Grammy Award (1985) • Academy Award (1991): Actress in a Supporting Role • Golden Globe Award (1991): Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture • Golden Globe Award (1986): Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama • Grammy Award (1986): Best Comedy Recording • Tony Award (2002): Best Musical
Married To	David Claessen (1986–1988) • Alvin Martin (1973–1979) • Lyle Trachtenberg (1994–1995)
Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In)	"The Contradictions of Fair Hope" (2012) • "The Cleaner" (2009) • "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie" (1998) • "Toy Story 3" (2010) • "Whoopi" (2003–2004) • "An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn" (1997) • "Clara's Heart" (1988) • "Everybody Hates Chris" (2006) • "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" (2018) • "The Nanny" (1998) • "Tales from the Crypt" (1991) • "Big Stone Gap" (2014) • "Strong Medicine" (2000) • "Tracey Takes On..." (1997) • "A Very Sordid Wedding" (2017) • "Sister Act" (1992) • "Elena of Avalor" (2018–2020) • "Monkeybone" (2001) • "So Notorious" (2006) • "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2015) • "Fatal Beauty" (1987) • "Showboy" (2002) • "A Warrior's Tail" (2015) • "Furlough" (2018) • "Blizzard" (2003) • "Burglar" (1987) • "The Associate" (1996) • "A Different World" (1991) • "Naked in New York" (1993) • "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" (1998) • "Top Five" (2014) • "Homer and Eddie" (1989) • "Entourage" (2008) • "Theodore Rex" (1995) • "Captain Planet and the Planeteers" (1990–1992) • "Ghost" (1990) • "Kambakkht Ishq" (2009) • "The Wonderful World of Disney" (1997–1998) • "Citizen" (1982) • "Animals." (2017) • "Everyone's Hero" (2006) • "Beverly Hills Brats" (1989) • "Yamasong: March of the Hollows" (2017) • "Black Dog, Red Dog" (2015) • "Bear in the Big Blue House" (2003) • "Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist" (2002) • "Soapdish" (1991) • "Rat Race" (2001) • "Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2" (2004) • "The Long Walk Home" (1990) • "Just for Me Stories" (2001) • "Miles from Tomorrowland" (2016) • "Moonlighting" (1986) • "The Tick" (2017) • "Bogus" (1996) • "Pauly Shore Is Dead" (2003) • "If I Had Known I Was a Genius" (2007) • "Nobody's Fool" (2018) • "Cursed" (2001) • "A Little Bit of Heaven" (2011) • "9/11" (2017) • "Girl, Interrupted" (1999) • "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (1986) • "Jiminy Glick in Lalawood" (2004) • "Doogal" (2006) • "BoJack Horseman" (2018) • "Farce of the Penguins" (2006) • "Eddie" (1996) • "Glee" (2012–2014) • "Nightcap" (2016) • "The Muppets" (2011) • "Nashville" (2016) • "The Little Engine That Could" (2011) • "Liberty's Kids: Est. 1776" (2003) • "When We Rise" (2017) • "Robot Chicken" (2012) • "The 7D" (2014–2016) • "The Deep End of the Ocean" (1999) • "CBS Schoolbreak Special" (1989) • "Rio" (2017) • "Summer Camp Island" (2019–2020) • "Random Acts of Flyness" (2018) • "Absolutely Fabulous" (2002) • "Ask the StoryBots" (2016) • "Foxbusters" (1999–2000) • "666 Park Avenue" (2012) • "Moonlight and Valentino" (1995) • "D.C. Follies" (1988) • "The Player" (1992) • "Made in America" (1993) • "King of the Dancehall" (2016) • "The Pagemaster" (1994) • "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2006) • "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (2014) • "Kingdom Come" (2001) • "Corrina, Corrina" (1994) • "Madea Goes to Jail" (2009) • "More Dogs Than Bones" (2000) • "The Middle" (2012) • "Bagdad Cafe" (1990–1991) • "The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns" (1999) • "30 Rock" (2007–2009) • "Blue Bloods" (2016–2017) • "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1988–1993) • "Boys on the Side" (1995) • "The Stinky & Dirty Show" (2016–2019) • "Racing Stripes" (2005) • "The Little Rascals" (1994) • "The Rugrats Movie" (1998) • "Ghosts of Mississippi" (1996) • "Sarafina!" (1992) • "Pinocchio 3000" (2004) • "Littleburg" (2004) • "For Colored Girls" (2010) • "The Lion King" (1994) • "Suburgatory" (2012) • "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland" (2013–2014) • "The Telephone" (1988) • "Instinct" (2018) • "The Color Purple" (1985) • "Alegría" (1999) • "Celebrity Deathmatch" (2001) • "Saturday Night Live" (1998) • "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child" (1995–1997) • "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" (1993) • "Freedom: A History of US" (2003) • "Homie Spumoni" (2006)
Movies/Tv Shows (Directed)	"Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley" (2013)
Movies/Tv Shows (Writing/Creator)	"Whoopi" (2003–2004) • "Just for Laughs" (2009) • "Just for Kicks" (2006) • "The View" (2014–2020) • "Strong Medicine" (2000–2006)

Top Questions

Where was Whoopi Goldberg born?

Whoopi Goldberg was born in New York City, New York, United States.

Is Whoopi Goldberg married?

David Claessen (1986–1988), Lyle Trachtenberg (1994–1995), Alvin Martin (1973–1979)

When was Whoopi Goldberg born?

Whoopi Goldberg was born on November 13, 1955.

Photos

Whoopi Goldberg smiles in front of a red Fashion Group International step-and-repeat backdrop at the FGI Night of Stars 39th Annual Gala in New York City.

Whoopi Goldberg in a bright pink hat and jacket stands next to Patrick Swayze, who is leaning in to speak, in a scene from the film Ghost.

Whoopi Goldberg smiling and wearing glasses and a white embroidered top, standing in front of a Paramount 90th anniversary backdrop.

Whoopi Goldberg wearing a black hat, glasses, and a dark coat with a light scarf, standing on the red carpet in front of a backdrop reading Tisch.

Whoopi Goldberg as Celie in The Color Purple, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and glasses, looks up while holding an open book in a church setting.

See All Images →

Viola Davis stands at a microphone in a white and black gown, holding her Emmy Award while accepting the outstanding lead actress in a drama series honor.

Viola Davis

American actress

Jennifer Hudson smiling at the camera, wearing sparkling earrings and a dark, shimmering outfit, with her hair pulled back.

Jennifer Hudson

American actress and singer

Rita Moreno smiles and holds up her memoir featuring a black-and-white portrait of herself on the cover at a book signing event in Los Angeles.

Rita Moreno

Puerto Rican-born American actress, dancer, and singer

Mel Brooks in a tuxedo smiles widely and points at his Emmy Award trophy while posing in front of a blue Emmy Awards backdrop.

Mel Brooks

American director, producer, screenwriter, and actor

Meryl Streep smiles on the red carpet in a long red gown with a deep V neckline, holding a silver clutch at the Academy Awards.

Meryl Streep

American actress

Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange

American actress

James Earl Jones smiling and wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie and glasses at an event in 1997.

James Earl Jones

American actor

Cloris Leachman, 2007

Cloris Leachman

American actress

Helen Hayes dressed as Queen Victoria, seated with hands folded, wearing an ornate gown, lace collar, and a feathered headpiece.

Helen Hayes

American actress

Diane Wiest

Dianne Wiest

American actress

British actress Maggie Smith smiling, wearing a light-colored jacket over a dark top, with short gray hair, at an event in 2015.

Maggie Smith

British actress

Stephen Colbert

American actor and comedian

Laurence Fishburne wearing a black suit and light pink tie, looking slightly to the side, with a patterned backdrop behind him.

Laurence Fishburne

American actor

Billy Crystal smiling and wearing a dark jacket over a light shirt, photographed against a dark background.

Billy Crystal

American actor, writer, and comedian

Carol Burnett

Carol Burnett

American comedian and actress

Plummer, Christopher

Christopher Plummer

Canadian actor

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Patty Duke

American actress

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James Whitmore

American actor

Nicole Kidman poses on the red carpet in a pale blue gown and diamond necklace at the 94th Oscars, with geometric and Oscar statuette motifs in the background.

Nicole Kidman

American-born Australian actress

Kevin Spacey, wearing a tuxedo, stands onstage smiling and speaking at a microphone during the 2017 British Academy Britannia Awards in Beverly Hills.

Kevin Spacey

American actor

Empty movie theater and blank screen (theatre, motion pictures, cinema).

Oscar-Worthy Movie Trivia

USA 2006 - 78th Annual Academy Awards. Closeup of giant Oscar statue at the entrance of the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Hompepage blog 2009, arts and entertainment, film movie hollywood

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