Her performance as Oda Mae Brown in Ghost (1990) is ranked #95 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.
Holds an honorary degree from Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pa.
In the "Absolutely Fabulous" (1992) series episode "Gay," she played a woman who arranges marriages. In her guest-starring role in "The Nanny" (1993) (episode "The Pre-Nup"). she played a wedding planner.
Is an active pro-abortion campaigner, having undergone the procedure herself at the age of 14.
Is an avid Fiesta Ware (china) collector.
Is dyslexic.
Is one of 9 African-American actresses to receive a Best Actress Oscar nomination. The others in chronological order are: Dorothy Dandridge, Diana Ross, Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Gabourey Sidibe and Viola Davis.
Is one of five African-American actresses to have won an Academy Award. The others, in chronological order, are Hattie McDaniel for Gone with the Wind (1939), Halle Berry for Monster's Ball (2001), Jennifer Hudson for Dreamgirls (2006) and Mo'Nique for Precious (2009).
Is one of two African-American actresses (the other being Viola Davis) to have been nominated for an Academy Award in both the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories.
Is part-owner of Mary's Kitchen, a country store/kitchen in Malibu, California. It is staffed by "New Yorkers" and certain furnishings were imported from New York because Whoopi wanted a touch of home in Malibu.
Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1991
Mother of actress Alex Martin.
Once worked in a mortuary where her job was applying makeup to corpses.
One of only four actresses who won the quadruple crown of acting: The Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy.
Owns a cat named Oliver.
Performed all her own singing in the "Sister Act" movies. Her co-stars have claimed that they were surprised at her vocal ability.
She is one of only 10 individuals who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award (counting Daytime Emmy Awards).
She studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village in New York City.
She was awarded The Annual Kennedy Centre Mark Twain Prize for Comedy.
She was inspired to become an actress by watching Nichelle Nichols's portrayal of Uhura on "Star Trek" (1966).