Inside Whoopi Goldberg’s Powerful Legacy: Meet Her Trailblazing Granddaughters, Amara and Jerzey Dean
Inside Whoopi Goldberg’s Powerful Legacy: Meet Her Trailblazing Granddaughters, Amara and Jerzey Dean.
Meet Whoopi Goldberg's Granddaughters: All About Amara and Jerzey Dean
Whoopi Goldberg, renowned for her roles in The Color Purple, Sister Act, and Ghost, is celebrated not only as an actor but also as one of only 18 individuals to achieve EGOT status, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. But beyond her groundbreaking career, Goldberg plays a special role as a grandmother to her two granddaughters, Amara and Jerzey Dean.
Goldberg’s journey into motherhood began early; she welcomed her daughter, Alexandra "Alex" Martin Dean, at age 18 after marrying her first husband, Alvin Martin. Alex, in turn, has three children — Amara, Jerzey, and their younger brother Mason — making Goldberg a proud grandmother.
In May 2024, Goldberg released a heartfelt memoir, Bits & Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me, shedding light on her family and the bonds that keep them close. "This book is dedicated to everyone who is just trying to figure out the small stuff as well as the big stuff where you have to be more than you thought you could be," Goldberg shared upon its release.
Amara Skye Dean, 36
Born on November 13, 1989, in Berkeley, California, Amara Skye Dean is the eldest of Goldberg’s grandchildren and, interestingly, shares a birthday with her famous grandmother. Amara gave birth to her daughter, Charli Rose Burr-Reynaud, in 2014, making Goldberg a great-grandmother. Amara describes her family as tight-knit, with deep connections across generations. “We’re a young family," she told Essence in 2023. "There’s only five of us in our family. We’re all we’ve got, so we take each other real close.”
Goldberg has always taken an unconventional approach to grandparenthood. Shortly after Charli’s birth, she joked about the experience on The Tonight Show, saying, "I wasn’t your normal grandmother, and I’m not going to be your normal great-grandmother either. She better call me Whoopi."
In 2023, Amara appeared on the reality show Claim to Fame, where celebrity relatives compete to keep their identities under wraps. With Goldberg’s blessing and a piece of cheeky advice to “be a strong b----,” Amara took on the challenge, even revealing a humorous family tidbit: Goldberg’s nickname “Whoopi” originated from her love for whoopee cushions. She shared one of her favorite stories involving Goldberg, Robin Williams, and Billy Crystal in a playful “fart war” in an elevator, a testament to her grandmother’s lighthearted spirit.
Jerzey Kennedy Dean, 28
Born on February 7, 1996, Jerzey is Goldberg’s younger granddaughter, and the two have shared a strong bond from the beginning. Known for her stylish flair, Jerzey often appeared in the front row of high-profile fashion shows alongside Goldberg. Today, she has carved out her own path as a fashion designer, launching her own label, Jerzey Kennedy Designs, an upscale athleisure brand based in Los Angeles and New York.
Jerzey has often spoken about her grandmother’s influence, especially Goldberg’s commitment to instilling a strong work ethic. Goldberg, who rose from humble beginnings to A-list fame, has always wanted her family to be independent. "She wants us to be real people. Stuff is not just handed to us. It could be, but it’s not," Amara shared in 2023.
Both granddaughters have taken Goldberg’s lessons to heart, working hard to establish themselves outside her shadow. “I just want people to know that I really worked hard for my position and the stuff that I did," Amara noted. "I did a lot without my grandmother’s help. But the fact that she’s there to give me the help, you know, I don’t want to run it up. I want to do what I can do."
With Goldberg’s unique blend of love, humor, and guidance, Amara and Jerzey continue to forge their own identities, creating a legacy that intertwines with their grandmother’s but remains distinctly their own.