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There was no way the 90s film Ghost could have been anything but a blockbuster. Remember the romantic crooning of the Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody? It immediately conjures images of that iconic scene of a topless, six-pack Patrick Swayze seducing the innocent, pixie-haired Demi Moore on a potter’s wheel.
Sexiness personified!
Sure, that was awesome – but for me, it was Whoopi Goldberg’s memorable, loud, hat-wearing role as a psychic that really brought the soul to Ghost and made me a Goldberg fan. For good.
And surely you haven’t forgotten how Goldberg made a bunch of conservative nuns dance and sing to her tune in Sister Act?
Today is that very fabulous Whoopi Goldberg’s birthday. To honour the funny lady on her special day, The Quint tells you why she is so awesome!
She Rocked the African Queen Look at the Oscars
We apologise Cate Blanchett, but Goldberg effortlessly stole your ‘Elizabeth I’ thunder at the 71st Academy Awards in 1999. The white African queen speaking with an English accent is a royal treat to watch even today.
And the Oscar Goes to...
This has got to be one of the most beautiful speeches ever delivered at the Oscars. Goldberg gave a stunning speech at the 63rd Annual Academy Awards in 1991after receiving her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Ghost.
Do you know what ‘cracked’ her up? Take a look at the space below...
This!
That’s correct! The funny lady was on an emotional roll (er, no pun intended) because she had smoked a big, fat joint before her Oscar speech.
And that’s why weed (oops) love her for her honest confession.
Bra-vo!
It’s surprisingly liberating to read that Goldberg needs no support system. Literally! The actress has confessed that she hasn’t worn a bra in 40 years.
I haven’t worn a bra in 40 years. I’ve always been uncomfortable in them. I could never find one that sat comfortably and it always killed me in the back. So I just stopped wearing them.Whoopi Goldberg
You Sexy Beast!
If the English accent wasn’t enough to crack you up, Goldberg made a grand entry at the 74th Academy Awards dressed as a Vegas show girl.
The woman just knows how to tickle your funnybone – and ruffle a few feathers along the way.
She Taught us the Price of Being Ourselves
In the simplest, humblest and most honest manner Goldberg has taught us the cost of being ourselves. The American actor knows that many find her “weird” – but she has no qualms about accepting it and in fact, proudly flaunts her individuality.
We, of course, love her for it!
Sh-EGOT Swag
Goldberg is the only African American woman to win the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) – the Big Four awards.
Oscar: Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Ghost, 1990.
Daytime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Special Class Special – Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel (Host) 2002,
Outstanding Talk Show Host – The View, 2009.
Grammy Awards: Best Comedy Recording – Whoopi Goldberg: Original Broadway Show Recording, 1985.
Tony Awards: Best Musical – Thoroughly Modern Millie, 2002.
Kudos!
(This story was first published on 13 November 2015 and has been reposted from The Quint’s archives on Whoopi Goldberg’s birthday.)
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