Close

Wonderwall

Whoopi Goldberg reveals story behind her name

Wonderwall, Wednesday, January 30, 2013, 1:21pm (PST)

  • Radar Online

    She was born Caryn Elaine Johnson, but has become a household name as Whoopi Goldberg.

    And on Tuesday night's edition of "Watch What Happens Live," Whoopi was asked by a caller, "How and when did you get the nickname Whoopi?"

    "I'm a farter," Whoopi said nonchalantly. "You know, when you work in the theater, sometimes you do quick changes and you're running around and sometimes you're just letting go.

    PHOTOS: 10 Celebrities Having Really Bad Hair Days

    "And it became, that was the joke: Whoopi." (As in the classic Whoopee Cushion.)

    "Because I was a farter," said the always candid star, who has admitted to having hot flashes on the set of "The View."

    PHOTOS: Celebs With Tattoos

    The caller also asked what Whoopi's real name was. While she did not give the full answer, Whoopi, 57, indicated that Goldberg was a "family name."

    Host Andy Cohen said, "Thank you for your call. You got a really good answer out of that call!"

    Watch What Happens Live airs Sundays through Thursday at 11/10c on Bravo.

    MORE ON WONDERWALL

    Fashion don'ts

    Celebs who've removed romantic tattoos

    Christina Aguilera's worst looks

Wonderwall Video

  • Celebs Gone Social for June 17, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for June 14, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for June 12, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for June 10, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for June 7, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for June 5, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for June 3, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 31, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 29, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 24, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 22, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 20, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 17, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 15, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 13, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 10, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 8, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 6, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 3, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for May 1, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 29, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 26, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 24, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 22, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 19, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 17, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 15, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 12, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 10, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 8, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 5, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 3, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for April 1, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 29, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 27, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 25, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 22, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 20, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 18, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 15, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 13, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 11, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 8, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 6, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 4, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for March 1, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 27, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 25, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 22, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 20, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 15, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 13, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 11, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 8, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 6, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 4, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Feb. 1, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 30, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 28, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 25, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 23, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 18, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 21, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 16, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 14, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 11, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 9, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 7, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 4, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Jan. 2, 2013
  • Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 28, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 26, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 21, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 19, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 17, 2012
  • CGS: Best TMI Tweets of 2012
  • CGS: Best Bikini TwitPics of 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 14, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 12, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 10, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 7, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 5, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Dec. 3, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 30, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 28, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 26, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 21, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 19, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 16, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 14, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 12, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 9, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 7, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 5, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Nov. 2, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 31, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 29, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 26, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 24, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 22, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 19, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 17, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 15, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 12, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 10, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 8, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 5, 2012
  • Celebs Gone Social for Oct. 1, 2012
Celebs Gone Social for June 5, 2013
Jessica Simpson shows off her "loves" and gets silly on today's Celebs Gone Social hosted by Wonderwall Editor Chris Gardner.
Show Comments
When using Facebook Connect your image and name may display on Wonderwall. All Privacy Settings are controlled by Facebook
aa