Whoopi Goldberg Interview

If you love comedy and film, like I do, Whoopi Goldberg has to be one of your favorite actresses and comediennes. She really needs no introduction, but after my interview with the star, i realized there are some things you may not know about the award winning comic.

Caryn Elaine Johnson, the incomparable Whoopi Goldberg, has had a brilliant career that includes receiving the quadruple crown of acting: Oscar, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy! What a journey for a hard working woman who, early in her career, took small parts on Broadway, while supplementing her income by working in a funeral parlor applying makeup to corpses and as a bricklayer.

Old Blue Eyes put it best: “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!” Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Whoopi, born in Chelsea in Manhattan, has conquered the world with her amazing talents and accomplishments. Some of my personal favorites include her movie and TV roles in The Color Purple, Ghost, Sister Act, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Comic Relief, and The View, amongst many other great leading roles and comedic performances.

Whoopi was the first woman to host the Academy Awards by herself, went on to entertain us on Oscar night a total of four times, and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Even though she is fearless in front of the camera and on stage, Whoopi hates to fly and travels by personal bus – telling Jay Leno once that it takes 42 hours of non-stop travel to go from New York City to L.A. this way. You may remember a recent scandal on The View, as Whoopi was forced to fly and had to drug herself to get through it. As a result, the queen of funny looked a little disoriented. Of course, she immediately bounced back and continues to be the fan favorite on the show.

But with all of her accomplishments, Whoopi is also known the world over for her advocacy and support of human rights, including vocally encouraging straight people to stand up and support the GLBT community to stop discrimination.

So when I heard Whoopi was coming to perform at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, as part of their Comedy Planet series, I jumped at the chance to interview this remarkable Oscar winning actress and comedienne. Check out what Whoopi had to say.

What are you looking forward to the most about your upcoming show in Miami?

Getting onstage and seeing what my brain tells my mouth to say.

You have such an amazing career. Did you ever dream it would be this way when you were an up and coming comedienne and actress?

I was raised by a woman who told me that anything was possible. But I don’t think anyone expected all of this, least of all me.

What do you enjoy the most about doing stand-up comedy?

I’ll let you know if I ever do stand-up. I’ve never done set-ups and punch-lines, it’s not my thing. I just like to talk about things I see and my observations of the world around me.

Why did you decide to become an actress?

If I didn’t, the voices inside my head would have gotten me into a lot of trouble.

Who have been your favorite co-stars and why?

There have been so many; I couldn’t even remember all of them. I recently got together with the cast of “The Color Purple” for a 25th anniversary reunion on Oprah. It was great to see all of them again. I worked with Neil Patrick Harris on a movie called “Clara’s Heart” when he was 12. It’s been fun watching him grow up in this business and becoming the person and performer he is.

How did it feel to win your Oscar? What went through your mind the moment you heard you had won?

My mind went blank. It was surreal.

What do you like the most about being on The View?

Hot topics.

How do you really feel about Bill O’Reilly today?

I respect Bill and he respects me. Even if we don’t always agree.

How is it working with Barbara Walters?

Barbara is the queen.

You have been very supportive of the gay and lesbian Community. Why do you feel it is so important to be so supportive?

It would never occur to me not to.

What do you think about the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?

Finally.