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Though
best known as an outspoken comedienne, Whoopi Goldberg is
also a talented dramatic actress. By virtue of her distinctive
appearance and a persona that is both no-nonsense and empathic,
Goldberg has emerged as one of the most recognizable celebrities
of the '80s and '90s.
Born Caryn Johnson on November 13, 1955 in New York City,
Goldberg began her long career when she was eight years
old, performing with New York's Helena Rubenstein Children's
Theater. She then went on to study with the Hudson Guild
children's arts program and attended the prestigious High
School for the Performing Arts. After graduating, Goldberg
occasionally won small parts in Broadway productions such
as Hair, Pippin and Jesus Christ Superstar, but also supported
herself doing odd jobs like bricklaying and serving as a
funeral parlor make-up artist. In 1975, Goldberg moved West
and helped found the San Diego Repertory Theater, where
she appeared in a number of plays, including Brecht's Mother
Courage and Marsha Norman's Getting Out.
After several stints with the Spontaneous Combustion improvisational
troupe and work in avant-garde productions at Berkeley's
Blake Street Hawkeyes theater, Goldberg devised The Spook
Show, a one woman satirical production in which she played
several characters. The show, which originated in San Francisco,
eventually toured the U.S. and Europe, earning acclaim and
the attention of director Mike Nichols. Nichols went on
to direct a 1984 Broadway version of the show, which earned
Goldberg Drama Desk and Theatre World awards, as well as
a Grammy for the album recording
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