In 2002, Whoopi Goldberg became one of a very elite group of artists to have won a Grammy (Whoopi Goldberg, 1985), an Academy Award (Ghost, 1991), a Golden Globe (The Color Purple, 1985, and Ghost, 1991), an Emmy (as host of AMC’s Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel, 2002, and a Daytime Emmy for The View in 2009) and a Tony (producer of Thoroughly Modern Millie, 2002). She is equally well-known for her humanitarian efforts on behalf of children, the homeless, human rights, education, substance abuse and the battle against AIDS, as well as many other causes and charities. Among her many charitable activities, Goldberg is a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations.
She has appeared in many films such as Jumpin’ Jack Flash; Sister Act; Corrina, Corrina; Boys on the Side; Eddie; The Associate; How Stella Got Her Groove Back; Girl, Interrupted; and Rat Race. She has voiced characters in such animated features as The Lion King, Racing Stripes, Doogal and Everyone’s Hero. In November 2010, she was part of Tyler Perry’s all-star film adaptation of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. Upcoming projects include a documentary on the legendary Moms Mabley, I Got Somethin’ to Tell You, which also marks Goldberg’s directorial debut; and Coach, a documentary short for ESPN, both of which premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival.
On television, she has appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation, hosted her own syndicated late-night talk show, starred in the NBC sitcom Whoopi, which she executive produced, as well as the television movies It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie and Showtime’s Good Fences, which she co-produced with co-star Danny Glover. She produced and appeared on Nick Jr.’s Whoopi’s Littleburg and guest starred opposite Benjamin Bratt in A&E’s The Cleaner. Goldberg most recently had recurring roles on ABC’s 666 Park Avenue, and in the FOX comedy series Glee. She currently appears on ABC’s The View, for which she has won a Daytime Emmy Award.
As she has in every other facet of her career, Goldberg has made her mark as a producer on television and on Broadway, including Sister Act: The Musical, which is currently playing throughout the world.
In 1992, Goldberg made her debut as an author with her first children’s book, Alice. Her second literary endeavor, simply entitled Book, became a bestseller in the U.S. and around the world. Hyperion Books published Goldberg’s Big Book of Manners in 2006 and launched the Sugar Plum Ballerinas book series for young readers in 2008 with Plum Fantastic, followed by Toeshoe Trouble, Perfectly Prima, Terrible Terrel, Sugar Plums to the Rescue! and Dancing Diva. Is It Just Me? Is her most recent book for adults.
Among her many awards and honors, Goldberg has placed prints of her hands, feet, and braids in the forecourt of the famed Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of the Kodak Theater.