Whoopi Goldberg (born November 13, 1955, in New York City, New York, U.S.) is an American actress, comedian, author, and television host. She began performing in theater and one-woman stage shows before gaining national attention for her distinctive comedic voice and storytelling ability. Her early work quickly established her as a unique talent.
She achieved breakthrough success with The Color Purple and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Ghost. Other notable works include Sister Act, Sister Act 2, The Lion King, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Known for humor, warmth, and versatility, she became one of the few entertainers to achieve EGOT status.
She has continued appearing in films and television while serving as a longtime co-host of The View. Beyond entertainment, she has been active in humanitarian and social causes and has authored several books. With decades of influence across film, television, theater, and comedy, she remains one of America’s most recognizable cultural figures.