Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an American actor, comedian, author, and television personality whose work spans film, theater, and daytime television.
The Color Purple: A 1985 film adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel, directed by Steven Spielberg. Goldberg made her film debut as Celie, earning an Academy Award nomination.
Whoopi Goldberg (one-woman show): A 1983 Broadway solo show in which Goldberg performed characters she had developed in theater. Its success brought her work to director Mike Nichols and a wider audience.
Alice Walker: An American novelist, poet, and activist whose 1982 novel The Color Purple won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Walker created Celie, the character Goldberg portrayed in the film adaptation.
EGOT: The distinction of winning competitive Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards. Goldberg achieved EGOT status across film, television, music, and theater.
Ghost: A 1990 romantic fantasy film directed by Jerry Zucker. Goldberg won an Academy Award for her supporting role as Oda Mae Brown.
Mike Nichols: An American theater and film director known for works including The Graduate and Angels in America. Nichols directed Goldberg’s Broadway show and helped bring it to film.
Steven Spielberg: An American film director and producer known for films including Jaws and Schindler’s List. Spielberg directed Goldberg’s film debut in The Color Purple.
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress: An annual Academy Award recognizing an outstanding performance in a supporting role. Goldberg won it for Ghost, becoming the second Black woman to win an acting Oscar.
Sister Act: A 1992 comedy film about a singer hiding in a convent under witness protection. Goldberg starred as Deloris Van Cartier, one of her best-known comic roles.
Whoopi Goldberg (film): A 1985 film adaptation of Goldberg’s Broadway one-woman show, directed by Mike Nichols. The film preserved the solo performance that preceded her major Hollywood roles.