Origins & Early Life

Caryn Elaine Johnson (born November 13, 1955), known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg (), is an American actor, comedian, author, and television personality. She is one of 28 entertainers to receive the EGOT, consisting of an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar (Academy Award), and a Tony Award. Her other accolades include a BAFTA and two Golden Globes. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2001, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2010, and the Disney Legend Award in 2017.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Goldberg began her career on stage with a series of one-woman shows, and a recording of her Broadway show Whoopi Goldberg (1984–1985) won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. For playing a mistreated woman in the Deep South in Steven Spielberg's period drama The Color Purple (1985), she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She followed this with leading roles in the comedy Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986) and the drama Clara's Heart (1988), and played Guinan in the science fiction series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1988–1993). Her portrayal of an eccentric psychic in the romantic fantasy Ghost (1990) won the Academy Award for Best Supporting...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akira Toriyama — Contemporary (Born in 1955) (1955): Pioneering manga artist, creator of Dr. Slump and the global phenomenon, Dragon Ball.
• Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud — Contemporary (Born in 1955) (1955): Saudi billionaire, investor, and influential member of the House of Saud.
• Albert Einstein — Contemporary (Died in 1955) (1955): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for the theory of relativity and E=mc2.
• Alexander Grothendieck — Shared historical date (11-13 · Died) (2014): Pioneering figure in modern algebraic geometry and category theory.
• Alexander Suvorov — Shared historical date (11-13 · Born) (1730): Brilliant Russian general whose victories defined military prowess in the late 18th century.
• Alexander Fleming — Historical peer (Died in 1955) (1955): Pioneering microbiologist known for the discovery of penicillin, revolutionizing medicine.
• Alexandros Papagos — Historical peer (Died in 1955) (1955): Greek military leader and politician who served as Prime Minister of Greece (1952-1955).
• Aaliyah — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Pioneering R&B artist known for redefining urban pop and hip hop sounds.
• Ahmad Shah Massoud — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Afghan military leader, known as the "Lion of Panjshir", fought against foreign occupations.
• Ali Hassan al-Majid — Historical peer (Died in 2010) (2010): Notorious Iraqi military figure, cousin of Saddam Hussein, known for brutal repression.
• 1955 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1955
• November 13 (11-13) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 13