Whoopi Goldberg, the iconic actress and cohost of “The View,” has revealed the interesting story behind how she got her stage name in her new memoir, “Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother and Me.” In the book, Goldberg shared that she originally went by her birth name, Caryn Johnson, but felt it wasn’t interesting enough for her budding acting career.
During her time working in various stage shows, Goldberg explained that she earned the nickname “Whoopi” because she would occasionally let out a fart. She added “Cushione” to the name with a French pronunciation. When her first review was published, her mother, Emma Harris, questioned the name change, leading to a humorous conversation about the origins of the name.
Goldberg’s mother suggested she choose a more substantial name if she wanted to be taken seriously in the industry. She recommended taking a name from the family tree, which is how Goldberg ultimately became her last name.
The memoir is a tribute to Goldberg’s late mother and brother, Clyde K. Johnson, who passed away in 2010 and 2015, respectively. Goldberg dedicated the book to anyone facing challenges or dealing with loss, emphasizing the importance of love and navigating life’s complexities.
“Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me” is now available for readers to delve into Goldberg’s personal journey and the story behind her famous stage name.