Forest Whitaker
American actor, producer, and director
| Name | Forest Whitaker |
| Birth name | |
| Birth date | Birth date -1st March 1966 |
| Birth place | Longview, Texas, U.S. |
| Death date | |
| Death place | |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Actor, producer, director |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Organization | |
| Known for | |
| Notable works | |
| Spouse(s) | Keisha Nash Whitaker (m. 1996) |
| Website | |
Forest Steven Whitaker (born July 15, 1961) is an American actor, producer, and director. He is known for his work in film and television, and has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a British Academy Film Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Early life[edit | edit source]
Whitaker was born in Longview, Texas, and his family moved to Carson, California when he was four. He attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona on a football scholarship, but he later transferred to the University of Southern California's School of Dramatic Arts to study acting.
Career[edit | edit source]
Early career[edit | edit source]
Whitaker made his film debut in the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. He gained further recognition for his roles in Platoon (1986), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), and The Crying Game (1992).
Breakthrough and critical acclaim[edit | edit source]
Whitaker's breakthrough role came in 1988 with Bird, in which he portrayed jazz musician Charlie Parker. His performance earned him the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
In 2006, Whitaker received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance.
Recent work[edit | edit source]
Whitaker has continued to work in both film and television. Notable recent roles include The Butler (2013), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), and Black Panther (2018).
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Whitaker married actress Keisha Nash Whitaker in 1996. They have four children. He is known for his humanitarian work and has been involved in various charitable organizations.
Filmography[edit | edit source]
- Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
- Platoon (1986)
- Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
- The Crying Game (1992)
- Bird (1988)
- The Last King of Scotland (2006)
- The Butler (2013)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Black Panther (2018)
Awards and nominations[edit | edit source]
- Academy Award for Best Actor
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama
- BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
- Screen Actors Guild Awards
See also[edit | edit source]
- List of African-American Academy Award winners and nominees
- List of actors with Academy Award nominations
References[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
