The Incredible Reason Why Whoopi Goldberg Finally Said Yes to Joining Star Trek

Summary

Patrick Stewart was initially curious about why Whoopi Goldberg joined Star Trek, but he was won over by her warm and friendly nature.

Goldberg's decision to join The Next Generation was primarily driven by her personal connection to the original Star Trek, specifically being inspired by the inclusion of a Black woman in the cast.

Since then, Stewart and Goldberg have developed a strong friendship, finding common ground and forming a bond through their shared experience within the Star Trek universe.

Patrick Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg share a close friendship, but when she became a part of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1988, Stewart was curious about her reasons for joining the show despite her prestigious Hollywood career. In the second season of TNG, Goldberg joined the USS Enterprise-D as Guinan, a wise and enigmatic bartender who had a deep connection with Captain Jean-Luc Picard (played by Stewart). Guinan became a beloved recurring character in TNG and Goldberg reprised the role in the Star Trek films Generations and Nemesis, as well as in the second season of Star Trek: Picard.

During an interview with The New Yorker, Patrick Stewart engaged in a game where interviewer Michael Shulman mentioned various names, prompting Stewart to share an anecdote about each person mentioned. When Whoopi Goldberg's name was mentioned, Sir Patrick recounted a story about how he approached her, an Academy Award nominee, to better understand her decision to join the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Here is his quote:

Whoopi Goldberg & Guinan's Impact On Star Trek: TNG & Picard

Upon learning that Whoopi Goldberg would be joining the cast of "Next Generation" in Season Two, I couldn't help but question why someone of her caliber, who had just been nominated for an Academy Award, would be interested in joining an already established sci-fi series. However, my curiosity led me to strike up a conversation with her during a break in filming. As we sat together, I expressed my confusion, and she graciously shared her childhood experience and the profound impact that the original "Star Trek" had on her. She mentioned the significance of seeing a Black woman, Nichelle Nichols, as part of the cast and how it made her believe that success was possible for someone like her. It was this powerful message of representation and hope for the future that resonated with me. From that day forward, Whoopi and I developed a close friendship.

Having already established herself as an acclaimed movie star and a Hollywood box office draw, Whoopi Goldberg brought her immense talent to the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Her Academy Award-nominated role in The Color Purple added to her stellar reputation, making her addition to the show even more significant. As the character Guinan, Goldberg's presence elevated the series to new heights. Her portrayal added a touch of humanity to Captain Jean-Luc Picard, often serving as a guiding voice, providing him with insights he may not have been prepared to hear, yet truly needed. With Goldberg's involvement, TNG experienced an undeniable rise in both credibility and quality, solidifying its place in Star Trek history.

Patrick Stewart extended a personal invitation to Whoopi Goldberg to be a part of Star Trek: Picard during his appearance on The View. Goldberg's return as Guinan in the second season of Picard was one of the highlights. Guinan holds such significance that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds introduced its own version of her in the form of the enigmatic and long-lived Commander Pelia (played by Carol Kane). Undoubtedly, Goldberg's role on Star Trek: The Next Generation, like Nichelle Nichols' portrayal on Star Trek: The Original Series, served as a source of inspiration for African-Americans.