Whoopi Goldberg

Is one of 6 African-American actresses to have won an Academy Award. The others, in chronological order, are Hattie McDaniel for Gone with the Wind (1939), Halle Berry for Monster's Ball (2001), Jennifer Hudson for Dreamgirls (2006), Mo'Nique for Precious (2009) and Octavia Spencer for The Help (2011).

She was inspired to become an actress by watching Nichelle Nichols's portrayal of Uhura on "Star Trek" .

She was inspired to become an actress by watching Nichelle Nichols's portrayal of Uhura on "Star Trek" (1966).

Dropped out of high school and became addicted to heroin. She ended up marrying her drug counselor. She cleaned up and later divorced him. In 1974 she moved to California and helped found the San Diego Repertory Company, where she used the name, Whoopi Cushion. Before making it as an actress, she worked as a bank teller, a bricklayer and in a mortuary.

1985: Won a Grammy for Best Comedy Performance Single or Album, Spoken or Musical for "Original Broadway Show Recording.".

Michael J. Fox accompanied her to the 1986 Academy Awards when she was nominated for The Color Purple .

Did a private stand-up comedy routine entitled "If E.T. landed in Oakland" in front of, among others, Steven Spielberg and Michael Jackson, which eventually won her the lead in The Color Purple , which Spielberg directed.

1985: Listed as one of 12 Promising New Actors of 1985 in "John Willis's Screen World," Vol. 37.

Michael J. Fox accompanied her to the 1986 Academy Awards when she was nominated for The Color Purple (1985).

Did a private stand-up comedy routine entitled "If E.T. landed in Oakland" in front of, among others, Steven Spielberg and Michael Jackson, which eventually won her the lead in The Color Purple (1985), which Spielberg directed.

1985: Listed as one of 12 Promising New Actors of 1985 in "John Willis's Screen World," Vol. 37.

1985: Won a Grammy for Best Comedy Performance Single or Album, Spoken or Musical for "Original Broadway Show Recording.".

Asked Gene Roddenberry for a role in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" because she was a big fan. She was given role of "Guinan", the head of the Ten-Forward lounge. Her character was named for legendary entertainer / nightclub owner Texas Guinan.

Asked Gene Roddenberry for a role in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) because she was a big fan. She was given role of "Guinan", the head of the Ten-Forward lounge. Her character was named for legendary entertainer / nightclub owner Texas Guinan.

Grandmother to Amarah Skye (b. 1989), Jerzey (b. 1995) and Mason (b. 1998), via daughter Alex Martin.

Her performance as Oda Mae Brown in Ghost is ranked #95 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.

Her performance as Oda Mae Brown in Ghost (1990) is ranked #95 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.

Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1991

Was one of the eulogists at Gene Roddenberry's funeral in 1991, along with other Star Trek stars Nichelle Nichols and Patrick Stewart.

Was one of the eulogists at Gene Roddenberry's funeral in 1991, along with other Star Trek stars Nichelle Nichols and Patrick Stewart.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 184-186. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387.

In the "Absolutely Fabulous" series episode "Gay," she played a woman who arranges marriages. In her guest-starring role in "The Nanny" (episode "The Pre-Nup"). she played a wedding planner.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 184-186. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387.

In the "Absolutely Fabulous" (1992) series episode "Gay," she played a woman who arranges marriages. In her guest-starring role in "The Nanny" (1993) (episode "The Pre-Nup"). she played a wedding planner.

1994: Became the very first woman to host the Academy Awards solo.

2000: Broke up with boyfriend of five years Frank Langella.

2002: Won a Tony as a producer for Best Musical, "Thoroughly Modern Millie.".

The first woman to host the Academy Awards on her own. She hosted them in 2002, 1999, 1996 and 1994.

2002: Hosted the Oscar ceremonies.

2002: Won a Tony as a producer for Best Musical, "Thoroughly Modern Millie.".

Worked as a Dishwasher at a restaurant called "Big Kitchen" at 3003 Grape St in San Diego.