Michael J. Fox accompanied her to the 1986 Academy Awards when she was nominated for The Color Purple (1985).
1985: Listed as one of 12 Promising New Actors of 1985 in "John Willis's Screen World," Vol. 37.
1985: Won a Grammy for Best Comedy Performance Single or Album, Spoken or Musical for "Original Broadway Show Recording.".
1994: Became the very first woman to host the Academy Awards solo.
2000: Broke up with boyfriend of five years Frank Langella.
2002: Won a Tony as a producer for Best Musical, "Thoroughly Modern Millie.".
Asked Gene Roddenberry for a role in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) because she was a big fan. She was given role of "Guinan", the head of the Ten-Forward lounge. Her character was named for legendary entertainer / nightclub owner Texas Guinan.
Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 184-186. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387.
Born at 12:48pm-EST.
Daughter: Alexandrea; Granddaughters: Amarah and Jerzey.
Did a private stand-up comedy routine entitled "If E.T. landed in Oakland" in front of, among others, Steven Spielberg and Michael Jackson, which eventually won her the lead in The Color Purple (1985), which Spielberg directed.
Discovered by director Mike Nichols.
Dropped out of high school and became addicted to heroin. She ended up marrying her drug counselor. She cleaned up and later divorced him. In 1974 she moved to California and helped found the San Diego Repertory Company, where she used the name, Whoopi Cushion. Before making it as an actress, she worked as a bank teller, a bricklayer and in a mortuary.
Good friends with Patrick Stewart and Marlon Brando.
Granddaughter Amarah Skye was born on her 34th birthday.
Grandmother to Amarah Skye (b. 1989), Jerzey (b. 1995) and Mason (b. 1998), via daughter Alex Martin.
Has a brother who is seven years older than her.
Has a tattoo of Woodstock (the bird from the Charles M. Schulz's "Peanuts" cartoon strip) on her shoulder.
Has her own production company, One Ho Productions, which backs most of her movies and television projects.
Has over 4 different action figures modeled after her character, Guinan, from the "Star Trek" series and the films.