By Jagmohan Singh Barhok

Whoopi Goldberg came into prominence with blockbuster ‘The Color Purple’ (1986), directed by Stefen Spielberg (of ‘Jurassic Park’ fame). The film also starred Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Avery and Adolph Caesar. Oprah Winfrey also made her film debut with this film. The film invited mixed reactions from different quarters, mostly positive ones. It highlighted the social stigma of an American -African woman Celie Harris played by Whoopi Goldberg who becomes victim of social injustices like racism, casteism, poverty, physical & sexual harassment & atrocities of women, prevalent in the society.

The film did wonder at the box office collecting close to US$ 100 million against a relatively moderate budget of $15 million.The film received 11 Oscars nominations failing to win a single in the end. Akosua Busia,daughter of a former Prime Minister of Ghana, enacts Nettie Harris, Danny Glover features as Albert & Adolph Caesar as former’s father. Leonard Jackson plays an incestuous father.The film was later included on the list of top inspirational movies.The film also paved way for Goldbergs successful career in the days that followed. She & Oprah Winfrey worked hard and achieved new heights of success making others to follow suit.

Whoopi later won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing an eccentric psychic in the 1990 movie ‘Ghost’, directed by Jerry Zucker. Winner of a Grammy & a Tony Award, & married thrice, Whoopi Whoopi Goldberg, comedian & occasional TV host, was born on 13 November 1955 in New York, USA.