Whoopi Goldberg is highly decorated in the entertainment industry. The View host is one of the few who have achieved EGOT status. She’s won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. But the comedian, 70, isn’t ready to retire yet. She announced an exciting new chapter in her life and fans can’t wait. Keep reading for all the details.
Whoopi Goldberg Explains Stage Name In Memoir
Whoopi Goldberg has starred in some of the most iconic movies of our generation. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as psychic Oda Mae Brown in the 1990 movie Ghost. Some of her other acting credits include The Color Purple and the Sister Act movies.
She pivoted to talk show host in 2007 when she joined The View. But Whoopi Goldberg didn’t leave acting behind. She recently fulfilled a lifelong dream by starring on a soap opera. After decades in the industry, Whoopi Goldberg has a story or two.
She gave a rare inside glimpse into her upbringing in her 2024 memoir, Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me. Among the revelations was that Whoopi Goldberg isn’t her real name. It’s a stage name she took early in her career. “Once I started getting parts in plays, I wanted a name that sounded more interesting. Caryn Johnson wasn’t it,” the actress wrote about why she decided to change her name.
“Some people at the Rep called me Whoopi because I would sometimes let loose with a fart,” she revealed. “I added ‘Cush-ione’ to it, with a French pronunciation. Then, I got a review written by journalist Welton Jones. It was a good one, so I sent it to my mother.” Her mother wasn’t impressed by the stage name that could be mistaken for “Whoopi Cushion.”
Her mother had a strong influence on changing the name to “Whoopi Goldberg.” The comedian’s mother told her that “Goldberg” was one of the many names used in the family. So, Caryn Johnson became Whoopi Goldberg and the rest is history.
The View Host Announces Exciting New Chapter
Whoopi Goldberg shared a lot about her life in her memoir, but she has more to tell. She revealed on The View that a documentary is in the works about her life. The actress said on the talk show that the documentary will be produced by her friend, director Gheeta Gandbhir.
“I have been me for a very long time, so, if you want to know who I went out with, when, what color he was … it’s all there. So, there’s not a lot that I think is going to be interesting. But I think of myself very differently than other people do. So, it’s an opportunity to learn more about me,” Whoopi Goldberg said about why she’s doing a documentary now.
She added, “The biggest misconception is that I am one thing. I am many things. I think many different ways, and sometimes I’m right, and sometimes I’m wrong … I’ve been an open book for this very reason.”
Whoopi Goldberg didn’t share many details about the documentary. Check back with TV Shows Ace for more on the exciting project.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
