Caryn Elaine Johnson

1955 - Whoopi Goldberg, born on the 13th of November in the Chelsea section of Manhattan as Caryn Elaine Johnson. She worked in a funeral parlor and as a bricklayer while taking small parts on Broadway. She moved to California and worked with improv groups, including Spontaneous Combustion, and developed her skills as a stand-up comedienne.

1985 - First came to prominence with her starring role in The Color Purple. She received much critical acclaim, and an Oscar nomination for her role and became a major star as a result.

1986 - 1988 - Off-beat to formulaic comedies like Burglar, The Telephone, and Jumpin' Jack Flash were filmed by her.

1990 - She made her mark as a household name and a mainstay in Hollywood for her Oscar-winning role in the box office smash Ghost.

1992 - She received another smash hit role in Sister Act. 

1996 - Alternated between lead roles in straight comedies such as Eddie and The Associate.

1998 - Frequently hosts the Academy Awards. She also is an author, with the book "Book."

2003 - Returned to television starring in the NBC comedy, Whoopi.

2006 - The radio program Wake Up With Whoopi premiered.