A new documentary centered on the life and legacy of Whoopi Goldberg is officially in development, with acclaimed filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir set to direct.
The untitled project will be produced by Imagine Documentaries and Message Pictures in association with One Hoe Productions. The documentary aims to present an intimate portrait of Goldberg’s life and career, expanding on themes from her autobiography, Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother and Me.
The film will follow Goldberg in the present day while reflecting on the experiences that shaped her path in entertainment. A key focus will be her return to the stage as she reimagines her groundbreaking 1984 one-woman show, The Whoopi Monologues, which is set to open later this summer at Lincoln Center.
In addition to documenting that creative process, the project will explore Goldberg’s life beyond the spotlight. The film will track her as she balances multiple roles — developing new theater projects with longtime producing partner Tom Leonardis, spending time with her family and great-grandchild, and cultivating a quieter life in Italy.
Goldberg’s career spans decades across film, television, theater, and producing. She made history with her Academy Award–winning performance in Ghost, becoming the first Black woman to win an Oscar in 50 years. Her work across mediums has placed her among the small group of entertainers who have achieved EGOT status, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
Today, Goldberg continues to remain active across multiple projects. In addition to co-hosting the daytime talk show The View, she and Leonardis are developing Sister Act 3 for Disney+ and serving as executive producers on the upcoming series Welcome to My Funeral, a project centered on celebrating a person’s life through a mock funeral while they are still alive.
The documentary will be produced by Sara Bernstein, Leonardis, Gandbhir, Alisa Payne, Meredith Kaulfers, Sam Pollard, and Justin Wilkes, with Brian Grazer and Ron Howard attached as executive producers through Imagine.
The film will offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Goldberg today while reflecting on the cultural impact she has had across comedy, film, and television.