Biografía

As of 2023, she is one of only six actresses who have won an Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy, also known as the EGOT. The other five in order are: Helen Hayes, Rita Moreno, Audrey Hepburn, Whoopi, Jennifer Hudson and Viola Davis.

Michael J. Fox accompanied her to the 1986 Academy Awards when she was nominated for El color púrpura (1985).

Has performed all her own singing in the Sister Act movies. Her co-stars have claimed that they were surprised at her vocal ability.

Was the second African-American woman to receive an Academy Award. The first was Hattie McDaniel.

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.

[on critics, on the Queen Latifah Show (1999)] You can say whatever you want about me, but talk about my daughter and I'll beat your ass up.

[while hosting the The 71st Annual Academy Awards (1999)] Bichos: Una aventura en miniatura (1998). Wasn't that the Linda Tripp Story?

My family is Jewish, Buddhist, Baptist and Catholic. I don't believe in man-made religions.

I'm a big old egotistical baby and that's okay. I can accept it.

[on Alice Walker, author of "The Color Purple", on her efforts to get a role in the film (El color púrpura (1985)) that was made from it] I told her I would play a Venetian blind, dirt on the floor, anything.