A new Whoopi Goldberg documentary is in the works with Geeta Gandbhir (“The Perfect Neighbor”) on board to direct.
Imagine Documentaries and Message Pictures in association with One Hoe Productions will partner to tell Goldberg’s story. The untitled documentary will expand on her autobiography, “Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother and Me.” The film will offer an intimate look into the life of the comedian and actress, tracing Goldberg’s rise and told through the observational verité of her today. Goldberg goes behind the scenes as she reimagines her 1984 Broadway debut one-woman show “The Whoopi Monologues” for Lincoln Center, which is set to open later this summer. It will also follow her as she balances work with her producing partner of more than 30 years Tom Leonardis, developing new theater projects, spending time with her family and her new great-grandbaby, and building a quieter parallel life in Italy.
Gandbhir said, “Whoopi Goldberg is a brilliant and groundbreaking storyteller who has shaped the landscape of entertainment for years.” The two-time Oscar-nominated director added, “I, along with my partners Sam Pollard and Alisa Payne at Message Pictures, Whoopi’s long-time producing partner Tom Leonardis, President of Whoop, Inc, and Imagine Documentaries are honored to bring her story to life in this documentary.”
“Imagine is thrilled to reunite with my friend and longtime collaborator the exceptional Geeta Gandbhir, Tom Leonardis and Message Pictures on this extraordinary opportunity to celebrate the singular icon that is Whoopi Goldberg,” said Sara Bernstein, President of Imagine Documentaries. “The world needs more Whoopi!”
Goldberg made Oscar history over 30 years ago when she won the best supporting actress for her performance as psychic Oda Mae Brown in “Ghost.” She became the first Black woman to receive an Oscar in 50 years, after Hattie McDaniel became the first Black person to win in any category in 1940 (for supporting actress in “Gone With the Wind”). After that, only three Black people received the honor: Sidney Poitier (who won best actor in 1964 for “Lilies of the Field”), Louis Gossett Jr. (1983’s best supporting actor for “An Officer and a Gentleman”) and Washington (the best supporting actor in 1990 for “Glory”).
She is one of 22 people in entertainment to have achieved EGOT status. Aside from Oscar, Goldberg has two Emmys — she scored the first in 2002 for hosting the TV special “Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel” and another in 2009 for co-hosting “The View.” In 2002, she won a Tony for producing “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Aside from the documentary, and hosting “The View,” Goldberg and Leonardis are currently in development for “Sister Act 3” for Disney+ and. are executive producers on ABC/Hulu’s “Welcome to My Funeral” (working title), which celebrates the life of a healthy living person by means of a mock funeral with the pilot episode celebrating the life of Goldberg.
With her work, Goldberg continues to be a role model to many. Speaking with Variety, almost three decades after her historic Oscar win, Goldberg reflected on her proudest achievement: “That I’m still here. I didn’t fade away. I didn’t disappear. I’m still here and still here doing me.”
The documentary producers are Bernstein, Leonardis, Gandbihir, Payne, Meredith Kaulfers, Sam Pollard and Justin Wilkes. Executive producers are Brian Grazer and Ron Howard.
English (US) ·