News | Entertainment
22 Jan 2026 19:25
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Whoopi Goldberg scattered her mother's ashes at Disneyland

    The 'View' co-host's mom, Emma Harris, passed away in 2010 and the 68-year-old actress decided to honour her by spreading her remains while on her parent's favourite ride at the theme park, It's a Small World.


    However, because the practice isn't allowed, Whoopi resorted to faking sneezing fits as cover while she randomly "scooped some of her up" to spread the ashes around the ride.

    Speaking on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers', she said: "No one should do this. Don't do it.

    "My mother loved Disneyland, we took her to Disneyland.

    "When I was a kid, the World's Fair was (in New York) and it was the introduction of Small World, she loved Small World.

    "So in the Small World ride... Periodically I'd scoop some of her up and do this [giant sneeze] and I'd say, 'My god this cold is getting worse and worse.'

    Whoopi then used her sneeze technique by the park entrance.

    She added: "And then we got over to the flowers that say Disneyland and I said, 'Oh look at this' and [sneezed]."

    Despite trying to conceal her actions, the 'Color Purple' star confessed to Disneyland bosses afterwards.

    She said: "I told them I did it. I wanted to make sure, actually, that I hadn't done something that was dangerous, 'cause it hadn't occurred to me. But there's a reason they don't want ashes just floatin' around."

    Theme park staff have previously admitted they have to clean up ashes around once a month, with rides being shut down due to "technical difficulties" when they are actually being deep cleaned.

    And one ride is chosen far more frequently than others for scattering ashes.

    An unnamed custodian told the Wall Street Journal in 2018: "The Haunted Mansion probably has so much human ashes in it that it's not even funny."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     22 Jan: Drew Starkey has been appointed brand ambassador for Dior
     22 Jan: Noel Gallagher's daughter Anais is convinced her dad has a secret stash of fashion gems and she's determined to "find it and raid it"
     22 Jan: Kevin O'Leary wants to be a James Bond villain
     22 Jan: Mia McKenna-Bruce calls Helena Bonham-Carter "mum"
     22 Jan: Kate Hudson gave up Botox jabs for her latest film role
     22 Jan: Brendan Gleeson has always been "more interested in enjoying life" than worrying about his appearance
     22 Jan: Matt Goss believes he has "done [his] best" to repair his relationship with his twin brother
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Former All Black Tony Brown has confirmed he intends to honour his contract as an assistant with South Africa, rather than make himself available for inclusion in any New Zealand coaching group More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    It's thought a shift in how young people invest - is altering the housing market More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Drew Starkey has been appointed brand ambassador for Dior 19:10

    Tennis:
    Novak Djokovic's family may have had to stay at home - but the 10-time champion has brought his best tennis to day five of the Australian Open 19:07

    Cricket:
    The Black Caps are cutting back their training load, so they can stay fresh for next month's T20 World Cup 18:57

    Business:
    It's thought a shift in how young people invest - is altering the housing market 18:47

    Entertainment:
    Noel Gallagher's daughter Anais is convinced her dad has a secret stash of fashion gems and she's determined to "find it and raid it" 18:40

    Business:
    Signs the brain drain could be slowing 18:37

    Motorsports:
    Adjustments to make for Hayden Paddon as he's welcomed back into the World Rally Championship 18:37

    International:
    The 'Golden Dome' and why Trump wants the defence system in Greenland 18:17

    Entertainment:
    Kevin O'Leary wants to be a James Bond villain 18:10

    Politics:
    An admission this year's election will be down to the wire 18:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd