Whoopi Goldberg's Real Name: Caryn Elaine Johnson

Quick answer: Whoopi Goldberg's documented original name is Caryn Elaine Johnson. Encyclopaedia Britannica records that she was born on November 13, 1955, in New York, New York, and that she was the first Black woman to win an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony). She is an American comedian, actress, and producer whose work ranges from dramatic leads to The View (Britannica; Encyclopedia.com).

Real name and early life

The Library of Congress heading is "Goldberg, Whoopi, 1955-," with variants including "Johnson, Caryn Elaine, 1955-." Britannica lists the original name Caryn Elaine Johnson. A Current Biography yearbook citation in the Library of Congress record gives a 1950 birth year in New York City, while later sources, including Britannica, People (via the Library of Congress), and the African American National Biography, use November 13, 1955. This page follows the 1955 date while noting the earlier conflict. Britannica says she spent her early years in a Manhattan housing project, began performing at age eight with a children's theater group, and later sang in Broadway choruses. She moved to California in 1974, worked in theater, and established herself as a stand-up comedian. Encyclopedia.com profiles likewise record the birth name Caryn E. Johnson and a New York City origin.

Career highlights

Goldberg developed The Spook Show, a one-woman stage piece noted for humor, satire, and drama, and toured with it in the United States and Europe. It became the Broadway show Whoopi Goldberg, which debuted in 1984; in 1985 she won a Grammy Award for the show's recording. Her Hollywood debut was Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple (1985), which brought an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe Award. In Ghost (1990), opposite Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, she won the Academy Award and a Golden Globe for best supporting actress. Sister Act (1992) was another hit. She hosted the Academy Awards on several occasions, starred in the sitcom Whoopi (2003–04), and in 2007 became a cohost of The View. A 2002 Daytime Emmy for hosting Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel, together with a Tony Award the same year for producing Thoroughly Modern Millie, completed her EGOT. She later produced the musical Sister Act (2011–12) and appeared on Broadway in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2003) and Xanadu (2008).

Name notes for searchers

Caryn Elaine Johnson is the documented original name; she is known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg. Searchers looking for the star of Ghost or a cohost of The View are usually aiming at the same person.