African Celebrities: Whoopi Goldberg

Caryn Elaine Johnson, best known as Whoopi Goldberg is an American, Comedienne, singer-songwriter, actress, political activist, author and talk show host. She was born on 13th November, 1955 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. She is the daughter of Emma Harris, a nurse and teacher, and Robert James Johnson, Jr., a clergyman. Whoopi Goldberg was raised by her mother whom she described her as stern, strong and wise woman after her father had left the family.

Her stage name, Whoopi, was taken from a Whoopee cushion and she adopted the traditionally German/Jewish surname Goldberg as a stage name because her mother felt that Johnson was not Jewish enough to make her a star.

Whoopi Goldberg has been married three times; She got married to Alvin Martin the father of her daughter Alexandrea Martin in 1973 and they divorced in 1979. She remarried in 1986 to Cinematographer David Claessen and they divorced in 1988; and in 1994 Whoopi got married again to the actor Lyle Trachtenberg and divorced in 1995.

Whoopi Goldberg has one daughter Alexandrea Martin and three grandchildren, Amarah Skye, Jerzey and Mason.

Whoopi is one of the few entertainers who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award.