As the acclaimed actor and comedian Whoopi Goldberg celebrates her 70th birthday, it's the perfect time to reflect on a career filled with groundbreaking roles and memorable performances. From her Oscar-nominated film debut 40 years ago to her Academy Award win just five years later, Goldberg has consistently proven her versatility and power on screen.
From Breakthrough to Oscar Glory
Goldberg's journey in film began in spectacular fashion. Her debut performance in Steven Spielberg's 1985 adaptation of 'The Color Purple' earned her an Academy Award nomination. She had told author Alice Walker she was willing to play any part, even 'the dirt on the floor', but landed the lead role of Celie, an abused young woman in early 20th-century Georgia.
Just five years later, she made history with her Oscar-winning turn in 'Ghost'. This victory made her only the second Black female performer to win an Academy Award, following Hattie McDaniel's win half a century earlier. The role of Oda Mae Brown, the fraudulent medium who becomes a genuine conduit for Patrick Swayze's murdered character, nearly passed her by with Tina Turner initially favoured for the part.
A Career of Diverse Characters
Goldberg's filmography showcases her remarkable range. In Robert Altman's Hollywood satire 'The Player' (1992), she delivered a riotous performance as a sceptical Pasadena police detective perpetually amused by Tim Robbins' shifty studio executive.
Her role in 'Sister Act' (1992) became her second biggest hit, grossing $231 million worldwide despite the part originally being offered to Bette Midler. As Deloris, the singer hiding in a convent after witnessing a murder, Goldberg created an enduringly popular character that spawned both a sequel and stage adaptation.
Beyond the Spotlight: Supporting Excellence
Goldberg's supporting roles often provided the emotional anchor for entire films. In 'The Long Walk Home' (1990), she delivered a subtle performance as a dutiful servant in 1950s Alabama, brilliantly deploying stoicism to portray the reality for Black women of that era. As she later explained: 'It's restrained because that's what those women had to do. They were mad, but they had to work to support their families.'
In 'Girl, Interrupted' (1999), her soothingly understated performance as head nurse Valerie provided the emotional grounding over which younger co-stars including Angelina Jolie, Winona Ryder and Brittany Murphy could soar.
Throughout her career, Goldberg has broken barriers and challenged conventions. Her interracial romance with Ted Danson in 'Made in America' (1993) came just six years after a love scene between Goldberg and Sam Elliott was cut from 'Fatal Beauty'. In 'Boys on the Side' (1995), she played Jane, a lesbian musician navigating friendship and identity in a road movie that, while imperfect in its representation, allowed Goldberg to 'bring the goods' as always.
From the wacko project 'Monkeybone' (2001), where she played Death with an exploding head, to her tenacious detective in 'The Deep End of the Ocean' (1999), Goldberg has consistently chosen interesting, varied roles that showcase her unique talent and irreverent spirit.
