Whoopi Goldberg Is Remembering and Honoring Her Deceased Brother in a New Book

Actor and comedian Whoopi Goldberg has a new book, Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me, documenting two of the most important people in her life. The fixture on daytime television has been open about the importance of family throughout her 17 years on the show.

Whoopi’s brother, Clyde K. Johnson, passed away on May 11, 2015, of a brain aneurysm. Nine years after his death, the comedian, actress, and television show host is lovingly remembering their impact on the EGOT winner’s life.

Because The View is a daily daytime talk show some viewers may think they know each and every host. When there’s an unexplained absence, people may expect the worst. This is what happened in May of 2015 when Whoopi was absent for nearly a week of shows. Vanity Fair reported there was backstage drama. There was not. There was a grieving Whoopi, who referenced the article in her return to the show.

Whoopi’s brother was mentioned on her social media years later, on October 17, 2023, on what would have been his birthday. The performer typically only shares photos and videos of herself from sets or old clips. She made an exception then with a simple Facebook and Instagram post honoring her brother. She will most likely be making many more exceptions to promote her new book.

Less than a month later Whoopi’s birthday was celebrated on The View. With her brother clearly on her mind, Whoopi said, "I outlived my brother — I’m older than my brother was — and I just feel like I should celebrate and have a good time for all those folks who didn't get to get here."

In an interview with People published May 3, 2024, Whoopi explained how time isn’t the same since both her mom and brother passed. “I couldn't remember anything after my brother passed. I don't know why, but for some reason in my head, my brother's only been gone five years and my mom's been gone seven. It's not so, my mom's been gone 16 years and my brother's been gone 11."

Emma, Whoopi's mother, passed away in 2010 and Clyde passed away in 2015. It’s been 14 and 9 years since their deaths, respectively. But getting the timeline wrong does prove Whoopi’s point.

In an interview with The Los Angeles Times published May 7, 2024, Whoopi said she misses being able to share her joy with them. "If there’s one thing I’m missing about them now, it’s being able to call them and tell them I’m doing this or that project. ‘You’re working with so and so!’ they would say. They were always so excited for me."

Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me is currently available for purchase and Whoopi can be seen every weekday co-hosting The View. She can also be seen in the upcoming film Babes and in the current season of Hacks on Max.