Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 75

Movies Whoopi "We set off our own atom bomb," she said glowingly, "and we've been enjoying the mushroom cloud ever since." She had known Claessen only a few days, she admitted, "but I've learned that a lot of marriages have been like that; Joan Rivers married Edgar (Rosenberg) four days after they met." Whoopi Goldberg, whose real name is Karen Johnson, was born 36 years ago in Manhattan's Chelsea district. She began appearing in children's plays when she was 8 years old. As an adult she worked in clubs and small theaters between periods in which she received public assistance. She was married briefly and had a daughter, Alexandrea, 11. Moving to San Diego in 1974, Goldberg helped found a repertory theater where she played dramas, but she drifted into improvisational troupes where her comedy skills emerged.

Producer Mike Nichols saw her one-woman performance and volunteered to direct her on Broadway, where she became an overnight hit. That's where Spielberg first saw her. "Steven made it very easy for me to make the transition (to films)," she said. "He would say, 'There are 8 million mute people in this box here. They're all in one room looking through a one-way mirror; you can't see them, but they see you.

They're mute, so you can't hear them but they hear you, and they enjoy what you're And that's how the camera became my friend." Associated Press From page 22 She has returned to comedy in the new 20th Century Fox release, "Jumpin' Jack Flash," currently playing at Century 6 in Reno. She plays a bank computer operator who keys in to a British intelligence agent trying to escape from Eastern Europe. Her life is thrown into danger. "Jumpin' Jack Flash" had a stormy history. Four writers are credited for the script.

Howard Zieff began as director, then was replaced by Penny Marshall. "What happened?" Goldberg said. "I don't know what happened. I had nothing to do with it, though they made it seem that I did. The producer just called me one day and said, 'We're changing I don't know what happened.

I just know it was awful. I don't think they should do such things." She added that "Jumpin' Jack Flash" was originally planned for Shelley Long. Some rewriting was done and after 17 writers, they had a script "but not much of it ended up on the screen." Goldberg was interviewed on the set of "Burglar," a Warner Bros, comedy that had also been written for another actress. Despite the rigors of publicizing one movie while making another, she seemed serene. The reason, she reported happily, was her Labor Day wedding in Las Vegas, to Dutch filmmaker David Claessen.

Assorted Seafood Entrees Along With All Of Your Circus Circus Dinner Buffet Favorites HOTELCASINO RENO Last chance to get December 13th. So head over to the Hilton, pardner. Because soon, well be out of town by sundown. Showtdmes and reservations: SL. RENOXHILTON please.

255 North Sierra, Downtown Reno Thrill to the days of yesteryear, with the fabulous stage show, "Branded!" produced by Cary and Stevi La Spina and starring David Ianacci. It's alive and kicking with action-packed stunts, great comedy and beautifully staged adagio dancing. But hurry the show closes on.