Whoopi named host of Tony Awards

NEW YORK, May 9 (UPI) -- U.S. actress and comedienne Whoopi Goldberg has been named the host of the upcoming 62nd annual Tony Awards show in New York.

The event, which honors the year's best in Broadway, is to be broadcast live on CBS June 15 from Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan.

Goldberg, who is a moderator on the TV talk show "The View," won an Oscar for her work in the film "Ghost" and a Tony Award as a producer of the musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie."

"I'm very excited to be hosting the Tony Awards," Goldberg said in a statement. "I love Broadway and I'm thrilled to be doing anything for the first time. I'm gonna have a blast."

"Whoopi Goldberg is everything you look for in a host -- she's funny, she's smart, she's won every award there is," added Jack Sussman, executive vice president of specials, music and live events for CBS Entertainment. "The industry has honored her and the audience obviously adores her. We're looking forward to having her be our ringleader on the Tony Awards on June 15."