Whoopi Ends Theatre Run After Her Mother Suffers A Stroke

Filed under: Stage News,Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg has quit the London theatre production of Sister Act and flown back to the U.S. after discovering her mother has suffered a stroke.

The actress – who starred in the 1992 movie that inspired the West End musical – was due to headline the show until the end of August.

But the 54 year old brought short her run on Friday to make a transatlantic dash to visit her ailing mum Emma in hospital.

A statement from the show’s producers reads,

“The thoughts and sincere best wishes of the producers and the entire ‘Sister Act’ company are with her at this difficult time.”

Goldberg is also producing Sister Act, which is due to open on Broadway in 2011.

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Whoopi In Talks To Return To Sister Act

Filed under: Movie News,Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg has had a religious promotion – she’s in talks to return to the stage as the Mother Superior in London musical Sister Act.

The actress-turned-TV personality played Doloris and Sister Mary Clarence in the 1992 movie and its sequel the following year and now she’s slated to take on the role portrayed by Dame Maggie Smith in the film.

Goldberg will reportedly join the cast of the West End show for the production’s final run in October.

The actress is the co-producer of the musical, which is set to transfer to Broadway.

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Goldberg Warns About Twitter Impostor

Filed under: Twitter,Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg has warned fans not to be fooled by a Twitter.com account set up in her name, insisting an impostor has been posting messages on her behalf.

The Oscar winner was stunned to discover someone had been pretending to ‘tweet’ as her online because she has never had any desire to join the celebrity micro blogging craze.

And she is keen to spread the word about the fake Whoopi.

Goldberg says,

“I need everybody on Twitter to know there is someone pretending to be me. I have no account… I don’t ever wanna (sic) be on Twitter. The person who is answering your questions is a fake. Let everybody know. I’m not on Twitter.”

CLICK HERE to follow Gomez on Twitter!

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Barbara Walters to Have Heart Surgery

Filed under: Get Well,Whoopi Goldberg

“The View” host Barbara Walters announced on her show Monday that she was going to take some time off to have heart surgery.

The 80-year-old veteran journalist will undergo a heart valve replacement and only told her co-hosts shortly before the show aired. “I thought it best not to talk about it too far in advance,” Walters said.

“You scared?” asked Whoopi Goldberg on the show. “Oh, only you would ask that question,” Walters laughed. “I don’t think I’m really scared; I’m glad it’s going to be over with. It’s going to be taken care of.” Walters admitted she’s known about it for several months and praised her doctors for helping her.

The recovery process could take some time, but Walters promises to come “roaring back” in September. Watch her on-air announcement here.

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Anna Paquin: “I’m Bisexual”

Filed under: Anna Paquin,Elton John,Kelly Osbourne,Sharon Osbourne,Whoopi Goldberg

Anna Paquin has come out of the closet.

The True Blood star says “I’m bisexual, and I give a damn,” in a new online public service announcement for the Give a Damn Campaign, aimed at promoting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

Now 27, Paquin dated actor Kieran Culkin in 2007, and has never discussed her sexuality with the press. She became engaged to True Blood costar Stephen Moyer, 40, in August 2009. The couple hasn’t yet announced their wedding date.

“We always take the p— out of each other and are silly with each other, and it is great,” Brit actor Moyer has said. “We’re very, very happy. She’s the best.”

Launched Thursday, the “Give a Damn” campaign — featuring Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg, Sharon andKelly Osbourne, Wanda Sykes and others — is part of singer Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund.

“In my life I’ve crossed paths with many different people and I’ve seen firsthand what it means to be discriminated against,” Lauper says. “As a straight person, I have a responsibility to stand up for gay and transgender people each and every day. We all have to get involved; we all have to give a damn.”

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Goldberg Toasts Birthday On Air With Kool & The Gang

Filed under: Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg had a ball celebrating her 54th birthday on Friday – she was treated to a special performance by Kool & The Gang.

The Oscar winner toasted the milestone on her U.S. TV talk show The View by inviting one of her favorite authors, Stephen King, to drop by for a chat.

But it was the musical dedication from the beloved R&B band which had the actress dancing and singing along, beaming from ear to ear.

Kool & The Gang performed their 1980 disco classic Celebration, with lead vocalist James ‘J.T.’ Taylor changing the lyrics to honor Goldberg, singing: “A celebration to Whoopi Goldberg and all The View/We gonna celebrate and party with you.”

The show’s guests then joined the studio audience to sing Happy Birthday to Goldberg, before she was presented with a custom-made three-tiered cake by TV chef Duff Goldman.

Happy Birthday Whoopi!

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Goldberg Undergoes Ear Surgery

Filed under: Get Well,Whoopi Goldberg

Actress Whoopi Goldberg underwent minor surgery on her ear last week to fix a mystery ailment.

The Ghost star let slip the information during Monday’s taping of TV talk show The View, which she co-hosts, when she revealed she’d missed the breaking news story last Thursday about the six-year-old boy who was thought to have taken off in a homemade balloon.

News networks halted programming to follow the balloon across Colorado but Goldberg was not watching – she was lying on the operating table.

She said,

“I wasn’t watching the news because I was trying to have an operation on my earlobe.”

No further information is available as of this writing. Get well soon!

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Fey Invites Goldberg Back Onto 30 Rock

Filed under: Tina Fey,Whoopi Goldberg

Comedienne Tina Fey cornered Whoopi Goldberg on U.S. TV on Thursday to entice her back onto hit comedy 30 Rock.

Fey made an appearance on The View, the talk show the Ghost star co-hosts, and presented the idea to a surprised Goldberg.

The Oscar winner previously made a cameo on 30 Rock in 2007, and Fey is so keen to have her return to the program, she’s already written the script for Goldberg’s next guest spot.

Fey said,

“Who we’re hoping to get back on the show this year is Whoopi. There’s a spot for you if you wanna come back? I’m putting the pressure on you on live TV!

“There’s an episode coming up where (main character) Tracy (Morgan) wants to win an Egot, which is an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony (award) and Whoopi has done that in real life so he’s seeking your advice in how to do that.”

Goldberg, who was taken aback by the offer, admitted she’d welcome negotiations, responding, “Well, let’s make some time and talk.”

Goldberg is one of only 10 Hollywood stars who have achieved all four top accolades throughout their career – others include Audrey Hepburn, Mel Brooks and John Gielgud.

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Goldberg Under Fire Over Polanski Comments

Filed under: Legal Issues,Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg has come under fire for suggesting Roman Polanski’s sex with a 13 year old girl was not “rape-rape”.

The director was arrested in Switzerland on Saturday and is currently fighting extradition to the U.S. over his 1977 conviction for unlawful sex with a minor.

The acclaimed director fled the U.S. before he was sentenced, claiming the judge in the case reneged on a plea bargain deal. He later settled in France.

Talking of his arrest on U.S. show The View, the Ghost actress insisted she believes the incident wasn’t rape in the strict meaning of the term.

She said,

“It was something, but I don’t believe it was rape-rape.

“He went to jail and when they let him out he was like, ‘This guy’s gonna give me 100 years. I’m not staying.’

“We’re a different kind of society, we see things differently. Would I want my 14 year old having sex? Not necessarily, no.”

However, the comments have caused outrage with The Frisky women’s website founder Amelia McDonnell, who brands Goldberg “an apologist for rape”.

I agree with Whoopi. This Polanski thing was a railroad job from the beginning. You have a party in the Hollywood Hills at Jack Nicholson’s, of course booze and drugs are flowing. This girl gets fucked up and Polanski has sex with her. Ok, I got that much, she was 13, NO NO NO, not good not supposed to happen. However if you listen to people like actress Angelica Houston (Nicholson’s Girlfriend a the time) no one knew this girl was 13. Still no excuse but when you listen to news reports they say he got her drunk and “drugged her”.

Finally, he did 42 days in jail. He had a plea agreement (right or wrong) that he would be let off with time served, night before Judge under public pressure decides he’s going to sentence him to 50 years. He bolts. Let’s face it, there are hard core pedophiles out there not getting 50 years. What he did was wrong, but I don’t believe it was RAPE either.

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