Alvin Martin, primarily a professional drug counselor, came into the limelight the after his marriage to popular actress Whoopi Goldberg. While there isn’t much information about Alvin, his marriage to Whoopi and their daughter is worth discussing.
Who Is Alvin Martin’s Wife?
Whoopi Goldberg, born Caryn Elaine Johnson in 1955, has remarkably risen to stardom. From her popular one-woman production “The Spook Show” in 1983 to winning a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording in 1985, Whoopi quickly gained attention. Her breakthrough came with the film adaptation of “The Color Purple” in 1985, earning her an Oscar nomination and Golden Globe Award.
Whoopi’s career boasts over 150 film and TV appearances, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Notably, her performance in “Ghost” led to an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1991, making her the second African-American woman to win an Oscar.
Beyond acting, Whoopi moderated “The View” and achieved “EGOT” status after winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.
When Did Alvin Martin and Whoopi Goldberg Meet?
Alvin Martin met Whoopi in the 1970s when she was in a dark place. At that time, Whoopi was homeless and addicted to drugs. Her friends seeing her need for help, organized an intervention and sent her to a rehabilitation center.
She met and got attached to Alvin Martin, her drug counselor at the center. In 1972, Whoopi discovered she was pregnant with Alvin’s child. The two tied the knot the following year (1973). Whoopi Goldberg was only 18 years at this time.
Why Did Alvin Martin’s Marriage to Whoopi Goldberg Not Last Long?
Despite Alvin’s efforts to keep his marriage with Whoopi together, they went their separate ways in 1979. Their divorce raised a lot of rumors. Some said it was a result of infidelity. Others noted that Whoopi’s refusal not to return to work after her maternity leave was the bedrock of their marital issues.
However, Whoopi Goldberg later stated that she would be blamed for her failed marriage with Alvin. According to her, she found it difficult to commit fully to her marriage. Her two failed marriages after Alvin goes on to prove this.
Following Whoopi’s divorce from Alvin, she walked down the aisle for the second time with a Dutch cinematographer, David Claessen, in 1986. Like her first marriage, Whoopi’s marriage to David lasted two years before it crashed. However, unlike her marriage with Alvin, Whoopi had no child from her second marriage.
Six years after her second marriage, Whoopi walked down the aisle again with Lyle Trachtenberg, a former American actor, and IASTE Union organizer. This third union lasted for just one year and produced no child. The only child both Whoopi and Alvin had till today is their daughter Alex Martin.
Alvin Martin’s Relationship With Alex Martin
Alex, born Alexandrea, came into the world in 1973 as the daughter of Whoopi Goldberg and Alvin. Following their divorce, Whoopi took custody of their daughter and relocated to Los Angeles.
There’s limited information about Alvin’s involvement in his daughter’s life or the reasons behind his absence. However, it is known that life was exceedingly challenging for both Alvin’s daughter and his ex-wife. Alex Marin said in an interview with the Grio that they relied on food stamps, with her mother framing the welfare cards.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Whoopi revealed that she took any job she could find, even working as a bricklayer, to support herself and her daughter. Despite their hardships, once Whoopi succeeded in Hollywood, their lives underwent a transformative change.
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Alex pursued a career in the entertainment industry. In 1993, she debuted with a special appearance in Whoopi’s film “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.” Alex also ventured into short films and TV projects.
By the time she embarked on her acting journey, Alex had already become a mother. At 16, she welcomed her first daughter, Amara Skye, although the child’s father’s identity remains undisclosed.
Did Alvin Martin Ever Remarry?
Unlike his ex-wife, Alvin never remarried. Considering how private he has kept his life since his divorce from Whoopi, we can’t tell what he has been up to. His pictures are also rarely found online.
Alvin isn’t the only celebrity spouse under the radar after their divorce, Kathy Ambush, Clarence Thomas’s wife, has also found a way to escape the public’s eyes since her divorce.