Being a highly decorated celebrity like Whoopi Goldberg doesn’t come for free. The American comedy icon has struggled throughout her life with drugs, unstable relationships, and more.
Whoopi has lived all her life under the spotlight, cracking jokes on and off the screen. That said, not many people know about her private life, especially her first marriage to Alvin Martin.
Alvin Martin is a British drug counselor who became famous when he married Whoopi Goldberg in 1973. The marriage didn’t last long, and the couple cut ties after only six years together.
In this post, I’ll take a closer look at Whoopi Goldberg’s first husband, Alvin Martin.
Who’s Alvin Martin?
Alvin Martin is a British professional drug counselor with experience in mental health and psychology. He entered the limelight after marrying the American comedian, author, actor, and TV personality; Caryn Elaine Johnson, aka Whoopi Goldberg.
People only know Alvin Martin for being Whoopi’s ex-husband. He lives a quiet life away from the spotlight, and there’s not much information about his childhood or education.
Career
Alvin Martin worked as a professional drug counselor. He reportedly met Whoopi Goldberg during his work as the comedian said she struggled with drug problems.
Whoopi was still a teenager and a promising Hollywood star when she reached out to Martin. They fell in love and got married in 1973 when Whoopi was only 18 years old.
Alvin Martin’s Relationship with Whoopi Goldberg
Alvin Martin met 18-year-old Whoopi Goldberg when he was working as a drug counselor in the early 70s.
At that time, Whoopi was struggling with a drug abuse problem and had to check into a rehab center to get back on her feet. Martin helped Whoopi with her substance abuse problem, and they eventually fell in love.
Martin and Whoopi dated until they got pregnant, so they arranged a little marriage ceremony and tied the knot in 1973. On May 9, 1973, Whoopi gave birth to her first and only daughter, Alexandra Martin Dean.
After six years of marriage, Martin and Goldberg got divorced in 1979. I think they separated because Goldberg wanted to. The American Comedian revealed later in an interview that she only got married because society expected her to do so.
Goldberg even wrote a book about relationships called; If Someone Says “You Complete Me,” RUN!: Whoopi’s Big Book of Relationships.
The comedian opened up about her past relationships to give advice to couples regarding their relationships. Whoopie thinks that most relationships don’t end well because people get into relationships for different or wrong reasons.
Alvin Martin Family
Alvin Martin became well known only because he married Whoopi Goldberg in 1973. However, his ex-wife and only daughter have been Hollywood celebrities for years.
Whoopi Goldberg
Caryn Elaine Johnson is an American comedian, author, actor, and TV personality known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg. Goldberg has played a plethora of iconic roles throughout her career.
From dramatic leading roles to controversial comedic performances, Goldberg has always managed to make a lasting impression on the fans. She’s also a co-host of the famous reality TV show; The View.
Whoopi Goldberg’s childhood wasn’t an easy one. She grew up in housing projects in Manhattan, New York, to a single mother, Emma Johnson, who was a teacher and a nurse. Upon watching Star Trek on TV, Goldberg got inspired by the character “Uhura,” played by Nichelle Nichols.
At the tender age of eight, Goldberg started following her passion and performed with a children’s theatre group. In 1974, Whoopi relocated to California and started joining local theatre communities.
She established herself as an outstanding stand-up comedian and later created her own show, The Spook Show. It was a one-woman stage performance known for its humor, drama, and satire.
The Spook Show was a huge success, and Goldberg toured extensively with the show, captivating audiences in the United States and Europe. After the success of her one-woman show, Goldberg created her highly-rated and critically acclaimed show, Whoopi Goldberg, which premiered in 1984.
In 1985, Whoopi received a Grammy award for the show’s recording. Shortly after, Whoopi made her Hollywood debut with her role in the movie The Color Purple. Her excellent performance earned her a Golden Globe award and an Oscar nomination.
After that, Whoopi performed in a series of less-successful movies until she appeared in the movie Ghost in 1990. Whoopi’s role in Ghost earned her an Academy and a Golden Globe award as the best supporting actress.
One of the most remarkable achievements of Whoopie Goldberg is that she was the first African American to receive Grammy, Tony, Emmy, and Oscar awards.
Alex Martin
Alex Martin is the daughter of Alvin Martin and Whoopi Goldberg. She’s also an actress and film producer who earned the title of Miss Golden Globe in 1994.
Whoopi’s daughter’s career kicked off in the 1990s, and she’s most famous for her roles in the following movies:
- Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
- American Intellectuals
- Strange as Angels
- Call Me Claus
- Quest of the Delta Knights
On top of that, Alex is a movie producer and contributed to making the short-animated movie; Descendants in 2008. She’s also a co-host on Whoopi’s popular TV show, The View.
To Sum Up
So there you have it, everything you need to know about Whoopi Goldberg’s first husband, Alvin Martin.
Martin is a former professional drug counselor who met Goldberg when she was struggling with a drug problem. The couple fell in love and tied the knot in 1973. However, the marriage didn’t last long, and they were divorced in 1979.
Alvin Martin is also the father of Whoopi’s first and only daughter, Alex Martin; an actress, film producer, and TV host.
