Oprah Winfrey
Host • Actress • Producer • Philanthropist
Birth Name: Oprah Gail Winfrey
Birth Date: January 29, 1954
Age: 70 years old
Birth Place: Kosciusko, Mississippi
Host, author, actor, and media mogul Oprah Winfrey was born to an unwed teen mother in rural Mississippi in 1954. She grew up in Mississippi, Minnesota, and Tennessee as she moved between the homes of her mother, grandmother, and other relatives.
Raised in extreme poverty, Winfrey nevertheless excelled as a student and as a speaker, winning a full scholarship to Tennessee State University through an oratory competition. By this point, Winfrey was already reading the news part-time for a local radio station WVOL which she continued to do in college.
After graduating, she became a TV news anchor for WLAC-TV in Nashville. Winfrey would land a number of news anchor jobs around the country before moving to Chicago to become the host of a low-rated talk show called "AM Chicago" (WLS, 1984-86).
Within months Winfrey's revamp of the program had it beating then-ratings juggernaut "Donahue" (Syndicated, 1967-1995). Though she paused in the middle of this ascent to star in the film "The Color Purple" (1985), Winfrey soon built upon her talk show success, signing a new deal to host her own syndicated talk show titled "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (Syndicated, 1985-2011).
The show began as a tabloid-style talk show typical of its time, but Winfrey eventually broadened the range of topics and adjusted the tone to one more serious. Her lengthy list of awards includes the 2011 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, multiple Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Talk Show and Outstanding Talk Show Host categories, a Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2018, People's Choice Awards, multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, and others.
In 2011 she launched cable network OWN and is considered to be "the ultimate self-made business leader."
Credits
An Oprah Special: The Presleys – Elvis, Lisa Marie and RileyStream
Executive Producer
Special
2024
An Oprah Special: The Presleys – Elvis, Lisa Marie and RileyStream
Host
Special
2024
AI and the Future of Us: An Oprah Winfrey Special
Executive Producer
Show
2024
AI and the Future of Us: An Oprah Winfrey Special
Host
Show
2024
The Color Purple Behind The Scenes
Host
Show
2024
An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss RevolutionStream
Executive Producer
Special
2024
An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss RevolutionStream
Host
Special
2024
The Six Triple Eight
Actor
Movie
2024
Oprah and The Color Purple JourneyStream
Executive Producer
Movie
2023
Oprah and The Color Purple JourneyStream
Self
Movie
2023
Black CakeStream
Executive Producer
Series
2023
OWN Spotlight
Host
Series
2023
The Light We CarryStream
Self
Special
2023
The 1619 ProjectStream
Executive Producer
Docuseries
2023
The Color PurpleStream
Producer
Movie
2023
Homeward Bound: A Grammy Salute to the Songs of Paul Simon
Self
Special
2022
The Checkup with Dr. David Agus
Guest
Reality
2022
The Hair TalesStream
Executive Producer
Docuseries
2022
The Hair TalesStream
Self
Docuseries
2022
Oprah and Viola the Woman King
Host
Special
2022
Sherri
Guest
Talk
2022
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Guest
Talk
2022
The Color of CareStream
Self
Movie
2022
Oprah + ViolaStream
Host
Special
2022
Clive Davis: Most Iconic Performances
Guest
Docuseries
2022
Soul of a Nation Presents: Screen Queens RisingStream
Self
Special
2022
SidneyStream
Producer
Movie
2022
SidneyStream
Self
Movie
2022
The 44th Annual Kennedy Center Honors
Self
Show
2021
Adele One Night Only
Self
Special
2021
NowThis Next
Self
Show
2021
Speak Sis
Host
Show
2021
CBS Mornings
Guest
News
2021
Oprah and Jennifer Hudson
Executive Producer
Show
2021
Oprah and Jennifer Hudson
Host
Show
2021
Honoring Our Kings: OWN Celebrates Black Fatherhood
Host
Special
2021
Honoring Our Kings: Celebrating Black Fatherhood
Executive Producer
Show
2021
Honoring Our Kings: Celebrating Black Fatherhood
Host
Show
2021
Honoring Our Kings: OWN Celebrates Black Fatherhood: Extras
Host
Show
2021
The Me You Can't SeeStream
Creator
Docuseries
2021
The Me You Can't SeeStream
Executive Producer
Docuseries
2021
The Me You Can't SeeStream
Self
Docuseries
2021
DelilahStream
Executive Producer
Series
2021
Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special
Host
Special
2021
Super SoulStream
Host
Talk
2021
The United States vs. Billie Holiday Special
Host
Show
2021
TinaStream
Self
Movie
2021
Between the World and MeStream
Actor
Movie
2020
The Drew Barrymore ShowStream
Guest
Talk
2020
The Oprah Winfrey Show: Extras
Host
Show
2020
OWN Spotlight The Culture Connection to August 28th, with Ava DuVernay and Rev. Sharpton
Executive Producer
Show
2020
OWN Spotlight The Culture Connection to August 28th, with Ava DuVernay and Rev. Sharpton
Host
Show
2020
John Lewis: Celebrating a Hero
Executive Producer
Show
2020
John Lewis: Celebrating a Hero
Host
Show
2020
The Oprah ConversationStream
Host
Talk
2020
OWN Spotlight: Oprah and 100 Black Fathers
Host
Show
2020
United We Sing: A Grammy Tribute to the Unsung Heroes
Actor
Show
2020
Today All Day
Guest
Show
2020
Chicago Graduation Special
Guest
Show
2020
OWN Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here?
Host
Show
2020
Dear...Stream
Self
Docuseries
2020
Fear Not with Iyanla VanzantStream
Guest
Reality
2020
Super Soul Conversations
Host
Show
2020
One World: Together at Home
Actor
Show
2020
COVID-19: The Deadly Impact on Black America
Host
Show
2020
Oprah and Alicia Keys: The Interview
Host
Show
2020
Oprah Talks COVID-19
Host
Show
2020
Cherish the DayStream
Executive Producer
Series
2020
The Water Man
Executive Producer
Movie
2020
Oprah's Book Club
Host
Show
2019
Oprah At Home with Lupita Nyong'o and Cynthia Erivo
Host
Show
2019
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Guest
Talk
2019
Tamron HallStream
Guest
Talk
2019
David Makes ManStream
Executive Producer
Series
2019
Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now
Host
Show
2019
When They See UsStream
Executive Producer
Miniseries
2019
Today With Hoda & Jenna
Guest
Show
2019
Oprah Winfrey Presents: After Neverland
Host
Show
2019
Oprah Winfrey Presents
Host
Show
2019
Oprah Winfrey Presents: SuperSoul Conversations
Host
Show
2019
We Have a Dream
Guest
Show
2019
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I AmStream
Self
Movie
2019
Q 85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones
Guest
Show
2018
Oprah at Home With Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade & Their New Baby
Host
Show
2018
Today 3rd Hour
Guest
Show
2018
Cultureshock: Chris Rock's Bring the Pain
Self
Show
2018
ET Canada Presents: Inspiring Women
Guest
Show
2018
We Have a Dream
Guest
Show
2018
People Cover Story
Guest
Show
2018
The Jess Cagle Interview
Guest
Show
2018
ET Canada Presents: Inspiring Women
Guest
Show
2018
People Features
Guest
Show
2018
Oprah at the Apollo
Host
Show
2018
The Van Jones Show
Guest
Show
2018
A Wrinkle in Time
Actor
Mrs. Which
Movie
2018
Zamanda Kivrilma
Actor
Movie
2018
Access
Guest
Show
2017
Released
Executive Producer
Show
2017
Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief
Guest
Show
2017
WE Day
Guest
Show
2017
We Have a Dream
Guest
Show
2017
Live with Kelly and Ryan
Guest
Talk
2017
The Handmaid's TaleStream
Voice
Radio personality
Series
2017
Meet the Greenleaf Family
Host
Show
2017
Mary Tyler Moore - Love Is All Around
Guest
Show
2017
13th: A Conversation With Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay
Actor
Show
2017
O Girls
Guest
Show
2017
Taking the Stage: African American Music and Stories That Changed America
Guest
Show
2017
The Immortal Life of Henrietta LacksStream
Actor
Deborah Lacks
Movie
2017
The Immortal Life of Henrietta LacksStream
Executive Producer
Movie
2017
The StarStream
Voice
Deborah
Movie
2017
Crow: The Legend
Actor
The One Who Creates Everything By Thinking
Movie
2017
Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet to Come
Guest
Show
2016
First Lady Michelle Obama Says Farewell to the White House -- An Oprah Winfrey Special
Host
Show
2016
The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations
Guest
Show
2016
T.D. Jakes
Guest
Show
2016
Harry
Guest
Talk
2016
Queen SugarStream
Executive Producer
Series
2016
GreenleafStream
Actor
Mavis McCready
Series
2016
GreenleafStream
Executive Producer
Series
2016
Greenleaf: Extras
Actor
Mavis McCready
Show
2016
Celebrity PageStream
Guest
News
2016
Secret Talent Theatre
Guest
Show
2016
Maya Angelou and Still I Rise
Self
Movie
2016
Super Soul Sessions
Host
Show
2015
Belief
Executive Producer
Show
2015
The Daily Show with Trevor NoahStream
Guest
Talk
2015
The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream
Guest
Talk
2015
The Late Late Show With James Corden
Guest
Talk
2015
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Guest
Show
2014
Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2014
Guest
Show
2014
The Concert for Valor
Actor
Show
2014
Oprah & Eckhart Tolle: A New Earth
Host
Show
2014
Oprah Prime
Host
Show
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream
Guest
Talk
2014
The Hundred-Foot JourneyStream
Producer
Movie
2014
SelmaStream
Actor
Annie Lee Cooper
Movie
2014
SelmaStream
Producer
Movie
2014
The Oprah Interview: Nelson Mandela
Host
Show
2013
Oprah's Next Chapter Social: Reverend Al Sharpton
Host
Show
2013
Lee Daniels' The Butler: A Time of Change
Guest Star
Show
2013
omg! Insider
Guest
Show
2013
Lee Daniels' The ButlerStream
Actor
Gloria Gaines
Movie
2013
SoulPancake
Host
Show
2012
Oprah: Where Are They Now?Stream
Host
Talk
2012
Steve Harvey
Guest
Talk
2012
Live! With Kelly and Michael
Guest
Talk
2012
The Best of the Oprah Show
Host
Show
2012
Larry King NowStream
Guest
Talk
2012
Oprah's Lifeclass: The Tour
Host
Show
2012
Oprah's Oscar Special
Host
Show
2012
Oprah's Oscar Special
Host
Show
2012
CBS This Morning
Guest
Show
2012
Oprah's Next Chapter
Host
Show
2012
Running From Crazy
Executive Producer
Movie
2012
LIVE with Kelly
Guest
Talk
2011
Super Soul SundayStream
Host
Talk
2011
Oprah's Lifeclass
Host
Show
2011
The Jonathan Ross ShowStream
Guest
Talk
2011
Dish NationStream
Guest
Talk
2011
The 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Guest
Show
2011
Piers Morgan Tonight
Guest
Talk
2011
We Have a Dream
Guest Star
Show
2011
The Gayle King Show
Guest
Show
2011
Oprah's Master Class
Host
Show
2011
Season 25: Oprah Behind the Scenes
Actor
Show
2011
Oprah: Behind the Scenes
Self
Show
2011
The 33rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors
Guest
Show
2010
The Talk
Guest
Talk
2010
George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight
Guest
Show
2010
The Nate Berkus Show
Guest
Talk
2010
Lorraine
Guest
Show
2010
Life
Narrator
Show
2010
On the Red Carpet
Guest
Show
2010
The Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special
Executive Producer
Show
2010
Diary of a Princess: Princess & the Frog
Guest
Show
2009
LifeStream
Narrator
Docuseries
2009
The Dr. Oz Show
Guest
Talk
2009
Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream
Guest
Talk
2009
PreciousStream
Executive Producer
Movie
2009
The Princess and the FrogStream
Voice
Eudora
Movie
2009
The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards
Guest
Show
2008
Oprah's Big Give
Executive Producer
Show
2008
Keeping Up with the KardashiansStream
Guest Star
Reality
2007
Building a Dream: The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy
Executive Producer
Show
2007
The Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special
Executive Producer
Show
2007
Bee MovieStream
Voice
Judge Bumbleton
Movie
2007
The Great DebatersStream
Producer
Movie
2007
For One More Day
Executive Producer
Movie
2007
30 RockStream
Guest Star
Oprah Winfrey
Series
2006
Rachael Ray ShowStream
Guest
Talk
2006
Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball
Executive Producer
Show
2006
Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball
Host
Show
2006
etalk
Guest
Show
2006
Charlotte's WebStream
Voice
Gussy
Movie
2006
ET Canada
Guest
Show
2005
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Executive Producer
Movie
2005
Emmanuel's Gift
Narrator
Movie
2005
Nobels fredspris 2004
Host
Show
2004
The Insider
Guest
Show
2004
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Guest
Talk
2003
Imagine...
Guest
Show
2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream
Guest
Talk
2003
Dr. PhilStream
Guest
Talk
2002
Amy and Isabelle
Executive Producer
Movie
2001
Bette
Guest Star
Show
2000
Entertainment Studios.com
Guest
Show
2000
The Barbara Walters Special
Guest
Show
2000
The Passionate Eye
Guest
Show
2000
The Early Show
Guest
Show
1999
Tuesdays with Morrie
Executive Producer
Movie
1999
Kickin' It: With Byron Allen
Guest
Show
1998
Quincy Jones: The First 50 Years
Host
Show
1998
The Wedding
Executive Producer
Show
1998
David and Lisa
Executive Producer
Movie
1998
Beloved
Actor
Sethe
Movie
1998
Beloved
Producer
Movie
1998
The View
Guest
Talk
1997
Before Women Had Wings
Actor
Zora Williams
Movie
1997
Access Hollywood
Guest
News
1996
Entertainers: With Byron Allen
Guest
Show
1994
Extra
Guest
News
1994
Extra
Host
News
1994
EllenStream
Guest Star
Series
1994
Late Show With David Letterman
Guest
Talk
1993
There Are No Children Here
Actor
LaJoe Rivers
Movie
1993
The Essence Awards
Host
Show
1992
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno
Guest
Talk
1992
Dateline NBCStream
Guest
Series
1992
Overexposed
Executive Producer
Movie
1992
Home ImprovementStream
Guest Star
Series
1991
The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirStream
Guest Star
Series
1990
Brewster PlaceStream
Actor
Mattie Michael
Series
1990
The Women of Brewster PlaceStream
Actor
Miniseries
1989
The Women of Brewster Place
Actor
Movie
1989
Inside Edition
Guest
News
1988
Throw Momma from the TrainStream
Self
Movie
1987
The Oprah Winfrey ShowStream
Host
Talk
1986
Native Son
Actor
Mrs. Thomas
Movie
1986
The Color PurpleStream
Actor
Sofia
Movie
1985
Entertainment Tonight
Guest
News
1981
Nightline
Guest
News
1980
CBS News Sunday Morning
Guest
News
1979
20/20Stream
Guest
News
1978
Good Morning America
Guest
News
1975
Saturday Night LiveStream
Host
Series
1975
60 MinutesStream
Correspondent
News
1968
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonStream
Guest
Talk
1962
Today
Guest
News
1952
Photos
News aboutOprah Winfrey
Riley Keough Tells Oprah She Was ‘Worried’ for Mom Lisa Marie Presley in Her Final Days
Oprah & Riley Keough Get Candid About Elvis and More in Sneak Peek at CBS Special (VIDEO)
Oprah Winfrey Reportedly Buys Back Rights to Doc About Her Life to Stop Its Release
Oprah to Interview Riley Keough at Graceland for Presleys Special on CBS
Oprah Winfrey & Gayle King Address Longstanding Lesbian Rumors
Oprah Winfrey Speaks Out About Joan Rivers Body Shaming Her on ‘The Tonight Show’
Gayle King Worried She ‘Offended’ Best Friend Oprah Winfrey by Revealing Health Problems on Air
Play the Oprah TV Crossword
Grammys In Memoriam 2024: Fantasia, Annie Lennox, Stevie Wonder & More Touching Performances (VIDEO)
Guess What is ‘Next on Netflix’? EVERYTHING! (VIDEO)
Play the Talk Show Hosts TV Crossword
10 Daytime Emmy Records: Who’s Taken Home the Prize the Most?
8 Black Talk Show Hosts Who Changed The Face Of TV Forever
Oprah Winfrey and Apple TV+ End Content Relationship
‘Sidney’ Trailer: Oprah, Denzel Washington & More Explore Sidney Poitier’s Life & Legacy (VIDEO)
Maya Rudolph’s 7 Most Memorable TV Roles From ‘Loot’ to ‘Saturday Night Live’
‘Queen Sugar’ Renewed for Seventh and Final Season at OWN
Adele: 6 Takeaways From Singer’s Big CBS Interview With Oprah
Adele to Headline ‘One Night Only’ Special on CBS
Prince Harry and Oprah Docuseries: Trailer Released for ‘The Me You Can’t See’ (VIDEO)
Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry Mental Health Docuseries Sets Premiere Date
Coming 2 Oprah! Eddie Murphy Unveiled as Winfrey’s Latest Big Interview
‘The 1619 Project’ Docuseries Will Debut on Hulu
Oprah to Interview Poet Amanda Gorman About Her Inaugural Triumph and More on Apple TV+ (VIDEO)
What’s Next for Oprah After Her Masterful Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Interview
How the British Media is Reacting to Meghan and Harry’s Interview with Oprah
Review
In a Triumphant Oprah Interview, Meghan and Harry Finally Speak Out
Who Might Play Meghan, Harry & Co. on a Very Modern Season of ‘The Crown’?
The 5 Most Stunning Revelations From Meghan and Harry’s Big Interview With Oprah
What You Need to Know About Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s Oprah Interview
Meghan Markle Addresses Palace ‘Falsehoods’ in Promo for ‘Oprah With Meghan and Harry’ (VIDEO)
Oprah Says ‘No Subject Off Limits’ in First Look at Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Interview (VIDEO)
Meghan Markle & Prince Harry to Be Interviewed by Oprah on CBS Special
Review
Roush Review: ‘The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song’ Is a Joyful Noise
Preview
President Obama on Family, Ego & More in ‘The Oprah Conversation’ (VIDEO)
‘The Oprah Conversation’ to Tackle Race & More Topics on Apple TV+
Exclusive
‘Greenleaf’: Could Lady Mae & James Start Over With Mavis’ Nightclub? (VIDEO)
Preview
‘Greenleaf’: Lynn Whitfield on Oprah’s Possible Return… and a Lady Mae Spinoff? (VIDEO)
Preview
Oprah Winfrey to Host ‘OWN Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here?’ Special
Preview
Oprah Winfrey Helps With Understanding Fear on ‘Fear Not with Iyanla Vanzant’ (VIDEO)
Exclusive
First Look at OWN’s New All-Female Virtual Series ‘Girlfriends Check In’ (VIDEO)
OWN’s ‘Greenleaf’ Season 5 to Be Its Last — Watch the New Trailer (VIDEO)
OWN Launches #ALittleLight Initiative with Oprah & More Network Stars (VIDEO)
Preview
‘Visible: Out on Television’: Wilson Cruz on Why He’s ‘Amazed This Is My Life’ (VIDEO)
Elizabeth Gilbert, David Brooks & More Join Oprah for ‘Super Soul Sunday’
The Biggest Stars on TV #2: Oprah Winfrey
Why Oprah Winfrey Quit Her ’60 Minutes’ Contributor Gig
5 Shows We Can’t Wait to See on Apple’s Streaming Service
Oprah Interviews Michelle Obama, ‘TGIT’ Winter Finales, Sitcom Guests Jon Cryer (‘Will & Grace’) and Brooke Shields (‘Murphy’)
Oprah Winfrey Honors Gayle King at the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame: ‘She’s Been My Greatest Cheerleader’
Preview
‘Greenleaf’ EP Teases Mom Issues, Revenge & More Oprah in Season 3 of the Drama
Oprah Signs Multi-Year Original Content Deal With Apple
Royal Wedding 2018: See All the A-List Arrivals (PHOTOS)
Celebrate International Women’s Day With These 10 Badass TV Women
Happy Birthday Oprah! 5 Best Giveaways to Celebrate Her Turning 63 (VIDEO)
Critic’s Notebook: A Golden Globes Show With a Message
Sterling K. Brown Makes Golden Globes History as First Black Actor to Win TV Drama Award
Oprah Winfrey to Receive Cecil B. de Mille Award at Golden Globes
Preview
Oprah Says She Was ‘Doubled Over’ Watching Emotional ‘Queen Sugar’ Season 2 Finale (VIDEO)
10 Must-Watch Episodes of ’30 Rock’
Tracy Morgan, Norman Lear and More Join Oprah for ‘Super Soul Sunday’
OWN Debuts ‘Queen Sugar’ Season 2 Trailer
Preview
Rocky Carroll on Surprising ‘Henrietta Lacks’ and Working with Oprah Winfrey
Review
Roush Review: Oprah Winfrey in ‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’
Life Lessons: How the Oprah-Starring ‘Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’ Found a Life on the Small Screen
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