Caryn Elaine Johnson

Caryn Elaine Johnson, better known by her stage name Whoopi Goldberg, is an American actress, comedian, author, and television host. She has been active in the entertainment industry since the 1980s, appearing in numerous films and television shows, including The Color Purple, Ghost, and The View. Johnson's career has been marked by her unique blend of humor and social commentary, which has earned her numerous awards and nominations, including Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Emmy Awards. She has also been recognized for her work as a United Nations goodwill ambassador and her advocacy for various social and political causes, including LGBT rights and women's rights.

● Early Life

Caryn Elaine Johnson was born on November 13, 1955, in New York City, New York, to Emma Johnson and Robert James Johnson. She grew up in the Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, where she attended Washington Irving High School and later studied at New York University. Johnson's early life was marked by her experiences with dyslexia and her involvement in the New York City theater scene, where she performed in various Off-Broadway productions, including The Spook Show and The Blake Street Hawkeyes. She was also influenced by the works of Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, and George Carlin, which shaped her comedic style and social commentary.

● Career

Johnson's career in comedy began in the 1980s, when she started performing stand-up comedy in New York City and Los Angeles. She gained recognition for her unique style, which blended humor with social commentary, and soon landed her first film role in Citizen: I'm Not Losing My Mind, I'm Giving It Away (1982). Johnson's breakthrough role came in 1985, when she played the lead in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple, alongside Danny Glover, Adolph Caesar, and Desreta Jackson. The film earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and established her as a rising star in Hollywood. Johnson has since appeared in numerous films, including Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986), Burglar (1987), and Clara's Heart (1988), and has worked with directors such as Mike Nichols, Barry Sonnenfeld, and Chris Columbus.

● Filmography

Johnson's filmography includes a wide range of genres, from comedy to drama to science fiction. Some of her notable films include Ghost (1990), Sister Act (1992), Made in America (1993), and Corrina, Corrina (1994). She has also appeared in Star Trek: Generations (1994), The Player (1992), and Monkeybone (2001), and has lent her voice to animated films such as The Lion King (1994) and Toy Story 3 (2010). Johnson has worked with actors such as Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Mel Gibson, and Tom Hanks, and has been a part of various film franchises, including Star Trek and Toy Story.

● Awards and Nominations

Throughout her career, Johnson has received numerous awards and nominations for her work in film and television. She has been nominated for Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Emmy Awards, and has won awards such as the BAFTA Award for Best Actress and the Screen Actors Guild Award. Johnson has also been recognized for her work as a United Nations goodwill ambassador and her advocacy for various social and political causes, including LGBT rights and women's rights. She has received awards such as the GLAAD Media Award and the NAACP Image Award, and has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

● Personal Life

Johnson has been married three times, to Alvin Martin, David Claessen, and Lyle Trachtenberg. She has one daughter, Alexandrea Martin, who is also an actress and has appeared in films such as Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) and American Intellectuals (2005). Johnson is a longtime resident of New York City and New Jersey, and has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the Children's Defense Fund. She has also been a vocal advocate for LGBT rights and women's rights, and has supported organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign and the National Organization for Women. Johnson has been recognized for her philanthropic work, including her support for the 9/11 attacks victims and her advocacy for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Category:American actresses