10. Girl, Interrupted (1999)
Also known as: Winona, Overshadowed. Angelina Jolie steals the show as one of Ryder’s fellow patients in a late-1960s U.S. psychiatric hospital, earning an Oscar for her performance. But don’t overlook Whoopi Goldberg’s role as Valerie, the calm and understated head nurse. Alongside Vanessa Redgrave and Jeffrey Tambor as other staff members, she provides the emotional foundation that allows the younger cast—including Elisabeth Moss and Brittany Murphy—to shine.
9. Made in America (1993)
Goldberg plays the owner of an African bookstore whose daughter (Nia Long) seeks out her sperm donor father (Ted Danson). The parents start off disliking each other but eventually fall in love. Despite over-the-top moments and some unfortunate slapstick involving a runaway elephant, Goldberg manages to maintain her dignity. The film has its odd scenes, like Danson looking at a baby photo of his daughter and musing, “Funny thing, sperm,” or Goldberg telling him to “smell me” before their first kiss. Yet the kiss itself is significant—interracial romance was still largely taboo in 1993, as seen when a love scene between Goldberg and Sam Elliott was cut from Fatal Beauty just six years earlier.
8. Boys on the Side (1995)
A sweet-and-spicy road movie directed by Herbert Ross (Steel Magnolias) and written by Don Roos (The Opposite of Sex). Goldberg plays Jane, a musician leaving New York after a breakup, who hits the road with Robin (Mary-Louise Parker), who has HIV, and Holly (Drew Barrymore), fleeing an abusive relationship. As a lesbian character in the 1990s, Jane’s sexuality is questioned by the straight characters, but Goldberg delivers a standout performance regardless.
7. The Long Walk Home (1990)
Set in 1950s Alabama, this film is part of Goldberg’s trilogy of maid and housekeeper roles (alongside Clara’s Heart and Corrina, Corrina). She gives a subtle and powerful performance as a dutiful servant in a household where the matriarch (Sissy Spacek) is just beginning to recognize racial injustice. Goldberg fought to keep scenes of her character’s family in the final cut. Her restrained portrayal reflects the real-life composure Black women had to maintain, even when facing racism, to support their families.
6. Monkeybone (2001)
Goldberg plays Death, stationed at a desk in the purgatory-like Down Town, where a cartoonist (Brendan Fraser) finds himself trapped. Sporting an eye patch, a hat that’s a mix of tricorn and stovepipe, and a pen-filled breast pocket, she carries on unfazed even when her head explodes—simply requesting a new one to be screwed on, reminiscent of Return to Oz. It’s an offbeat role for Goldberg but business as usual for director Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline).
5. The Deep End of the Ocean (1999)
Michelle Pfeiffer plays a mother devastated by the disappearance of her three-year-old son, while Goldberg is the determined detective who stays on the case and becomes a family friend over the years. In one of her most nuanced scenes early on, she pulls back from Pfeiffer’s grateful embrace and explains, “Look, I’m Black, I’m a woman, I’m a detective supervisor, and I’m gay. Did you know that? So I alw4. Sister Act (1992)
Whoopi Goldberg shines as Deloris, a singer who goes into hiding at a convent after witnessing a murder, bringing chaos and laughter to the nuns. The film became her second-biggest hit, earning $231 million worldwide and inspiring a sequel and stage adaptation. It features a lively soundtrack—including a playful twist on “My Guy” turned into “My God”—and great chemistry with co-star Maggie Smith. Goldberg even joked to Smith on set, “You’re Maggie Smith! What are you doing in this movie?”
3. The Color Purple (1985)
Goldberg made a powerful film debut in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel, earning an Oscar nomination for her role as Celie, a mistreated young woman in early 1900s Georgia. Though she initially told Walker she’d take any part, “even the dirt on the floor,” she landed the lead. While Spielberg softened the book’s exploration of lesbian themes, Goldberg and co-star Oprah Winfrey delivered performances that felt seasoned and authentic. Goldberg later made a cameo in the 2023 remake produced by Winfrey.
2. The Player (1992)
In Robert Altman’s sharp Hollywood satire, Goldberg stands out as a sharp, unflappable detective investigating a studio executive played by Tim Robbins. While many stars appear as themselves, Goldberg’s character brings humor and wit—even swinging a tampon casually in front of the suspect. Her casting subtly undercuts the film’s tension, much like Altman’s later choice of Stephen Fry in Gosford Park.
1. Ghost (1990)
Goldberg won an Oscar for her role as Oda Mae Brown, a fraudulent psychic who becomes the reluctant bridge between a murdered man (Patrick Swayze) and his grieving girlfriend (Demi Moore). She was only the second Black woman to win an Academy Award, setting her on the path to achieving EGOT status. Though Tina Turner was initially favored for the part, Goldberg fought for the role and won over the skeptical screenwriter. Her irreverent energy and iconic line readings—like “Molly, you in danger, girl”—kept the film from becoming overly sentimental.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Whoopi Goldberg at 70 focusing on her top 10 movies
General Beginner Questions
1 Who is Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an iconic and awardwinning American actress comedian author and television host best known for her powerful roles in films like Ghost and The Color Purple
2 Why is her career at 70 being celebrated
Reaching 70 is a major milestone and its a chance to look back and honor her incredible decadeslong career her groundbreaking achievements and the timeless movies she has given us
3 What makes her such an important actress
She is one of the few entertainers to have won an Emmy a Grammy an Oscar and a Tony She broke barriers for Black women in Hollywood with her unique talent and versatile roles
Questions About the Movie List
4 What is typically ranked as her 1 movie
The Color Purple is almost universally ranked as her number one film It was her breakout role and earned her an Academy Award nomination
5 Did she win an Oscar for The Color Purple
No she did not win for The Color Purple but she did win a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Ghost
6 Is Sister Act on the list
Absolutely Sister Act and often its sequel Sister Act 2 Back in the Habit are almost always high on the list They are beloved classics that showcase her comedic genius
7 What other kinds of movies are on the list besides comedies
The list is diverse It includes dramas like The Color Purple and Ghost historical films like The Long Walk Home and even voice work like The Lion King
8 Are there any underrated movies that might surprise people
Yes films like The Long Walk Home about the Montgomery bus boycott and Claras Heart are critically acclaimed but sometimes less known to the general public and they often make these lists
Advanced Practical Questions
