In a revealing new memoir, popular actress Whoopi Goldberg, 68, uncovers her turbulent years during the 1980s as a “high-functioning” cocaine addict while crafting some of her most memorable performances in Hollywood. “Bits And Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, And Me” provides a stark look into her struggles with addiction amidst a thriving career.
Goldberg, who achieved fame and critical acclaim with her role in the 1985 film “The Color Purple,” directed by Steven Spielberg, openly discusses how she managed her addiction while working on major film sets. Despite her personal battles, she continued to show up on time and perform, but acknowledges the increasing difficulty as her addiction progressed. She recounts periods of being sloppy at work, which raised her awareness of her deteriorating condition.
The actress remembers being welcomed at gatherings with a selection of Quaaludes offered right at the entrance, allowing guests to choose at will. She describes how cocaine was freely available, spread out for anyone’s use on tables and bathroom countertops.
Goldberg points out that attendees were confident that law enforcement wouldn’t target the residence of a renowned producer or actor, resulting in a laid-back atmosphere where all participants freely indulged.
One of the pivotal moments in her life, as detailed in the memoir, occurred when a maid discovered her snorting cocaine. This jarring encounter, where she found herself with cocaine smeared across her face, served as a crucial wake-up call, highlighting the severity of her addiction. This episode along with a harrowing 24-hour hallucination, convinced her of the need for change. Goldberg believed she saw a monster under her bed during this drug-induced episode, causing her to stay in her bed for an entire day.
Throughout her memoir, Goldberg does not shy away from discussing the broader context of her life, including her mother’s mental health challenges and her mother’s previous addiction to heroin in the 1970s. She details how these experiences shaped her understanding of her mother’s drug use, mistakenly believing cocaine to be less dangerous and more manageable than heroin.
Within the pages of her revealing autobiography, “Whoopi” recounts a pivotal moment when she prevented her mother, Emma, from ending her life, right before Emma was transported to Bellevue psychiatric facility in New York City at a time when Whoopi was just eight years old.
Whoopi – born Caryn Elaine Johnson – recollects the moment she returned from school to discover her mother in a state of disarray, shoeless, and speaking gibberish, clearly disoriented about her whereabouts.
She narrates how she observed her mother approach the stove, activate it, and then attempt to place her head inside. Understanding the gravity of the situation despite her young age, she dashed to her mother, clasped her tightly around her middle, and yanked her away from the peril.
Whoopi’s personal life is also a focus, with insights into her three marriages and the deep bond with her mother.
Goldberg’s career continued to flourish despite her struggles, culminating in an Oscar win in 1990 for Best Supporting Actress in “Ghost,” alongside Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. Her resilience and ability to maintain a successful career while battling addiction underline the memoir’s theme of personal growth and recovery.
Her story not only sheds light on her individual journey but also reflects the broader issue of drug addiction in the entertainment industry during the 1980s. The candidness of her narrative helps demystify the often-glamorized aspects of celebrity life, showing the real and often painful human experiences behind the public facade.
The memoir “Bits And Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, And Me” is an exploration of Whoopi Goldberg’s trials and triumphs, offering an intimate look at her life’s highs and lows, and her path to recovery and self-acceptance. Goldberg’s narrative provides not just a recounting of her achievements and challenges, but also serves as a testament to the enduring human spirit’s ability to overcome great personal turmoil.
