If you’re wondering when was Whoopi Goldberg born, the short answer is November 13, 1955. But honestly, just pinning a date on a calendar doesn't really tell you who she is or why she’s basically the queen of the EGOT. She didn't just appear on The View one day as a fully formed icon.
She was born Caryn Elaine Johnson in New York City. Specifically, she grew up in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. It wasn't exactly a life of glitz and glamour from the jump. Raised in a public housing project by her mother, Emma Harris—who was a total powerhouse working as both a nurse and a teacher—Whoopi’s early years were shaped by the grit of 1950s and 60s New York. Her father, Robert James Johnson Jr., was a clergyman, but he wasn't really in the picture much during her upbringing.
The Early Days and That Famous Name
It’s kinda wild to think about, but Whoopi Goldberg wasn't always "Whoopi."
She actually dropped out of high school at 14. She struggled with dyslexia at a time when people didn't really understand what that was, which made traditional schooling a nightmare. She spent her teen years navigating the counterculture of the late 60s, even battling drug addiction before getting clean with the help of her first husband and drug counselor, Alvin Martin. They had a daughter, Alexandrea, in 1973, but the marriage didn't last.
By the mid-70s, she headed west to California. This is where the magic happened.
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While performing with improv groups like Spontaneous Combustion, she realized "Caryn Johnson" didn't quite fit the vibe she was going for. The name "Whoopi" literally came from a whoopee cushion. Seriously. She’s joked in interviews that if you're a bit gassy on stage, you just let it go. Her friends started calling her "Whoopi Cushion," and it stuck.
Her mother, ever the voice of reason, told her that nobody would take a "Cushion" seriously in Hollywood. She suggested "Goldberg" to give the name some "Jewish weight," and thus, a legend was born.
Why November 13, 1955, Changed Everything
The reason people still search for when was Whoopi Goldberg born isn't just about trivia. It’s about the timeline of a woman who broke every single rule in the industry.
When she burst onto the scene in the early 80s with her one-woman "Spook Show," she wasn't what Hollywood expected. She didn't look like the leading ladies of the time. She had dreadlocks, a sharp tongue, and a range that could make you sob one minute and howl with laughter the next.
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- 1985: She lands the lead in The Color Purple. Steven Spielberg took a massive chance on a stand-up comic, and she delivered a performance that earned her an Oscar nomination.
- 1991: She wins the Academy Award for Ghost. She was only the second Black woman ever to win an acting Oscar, following Hattie McDaniel.
- 2002: She completes the EGOT. By winning a Tony for producing Thoroughly Modern Millie, she entered an elite club that most actors only dream of.
More Than Just a Date of Birth
Today, Whoopi is 70 years old. She’s still a constant presence on our screens, mostly as the moderator of The View, where she’s been since 2007.
She’s also a massive activist. She’s been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2003 and has spent decades fighting for human rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and homelessness awareness through things like Comic Relief.
Most recently, in 2025 and 2026, she’s been candid about her health journey, advocating for wellness and being open about her use of weight-loss medications. She’s always been an open book—sometimes to a fault—but that’s why people love her. She doesn't do the "polished celebrity" thing. She’s just Whoopi.
Quick Facts for the Record
- Birth Name: Caryn Elaine Johnson
- Birth Date: November 13, 1955
- Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York
- Height: 5'5" (roughly)
- Major Achievement: First Black woman to achieve EGOT status
If you're looking to dive deeper into her history, her 2024 memoir Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me is probably the best place to start. It goes way beyond the basic facts of her birth and gets into the heart of the woman who survived the projects of Chelsea to become a global icon.
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The next time someone asks about her age or when she started out, you can tell them she’s a Scorpio born in '55 who’s been shaking up the world since she was eight years old at the Hudson Guild Theater. She isn't just an actress; she’s a cultural shift.
Your Next Steps for Exploring Whoopi’s Legacy
To truly appreciate the career that started back in 1955, you should watch her original 1985 Broadway show (often available on streaming). It’s raw, it’s uncomfortable, and it shows exactly why she became a star. After that, look into the work of the Innocence Project, an organization she’s championed for years, to see how she uses her platform for criminal justice reform today.