Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker
Personal life
- Born: July 15, 1961 (age 61)
- Birthplace: Longview, Texas, U.S.
- Occupation: Actor, director, producer
- Years active: 1982–present
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Early life
Forest Steven Whitaker III was born on July 15, 1961, in Longview, Texas, the son of Forest Whitaker Jr., an insurance salesman, and Laura Francis (née Smith), a special education teacher. He has two younger brothers, Kenneth and Damon. Whitaker's family moved to Carson, California, when he was four years old. He attended Palisades Charter High School, where he played football and ran track.
Career
Whitaker began his acting career in 1982, with a small role in the film "Fast Times at Ridgemont High". He went on to appear in a number of films, including "Platoon" (1986), "Bird" (1988), "Good Morning, Vietnam" (1987), "The Crying Game" (1992), and "Smoke" (1995). In 2006, Whitaker won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the film "The Last King of Scotland".
In addition to his acting career, Whitaker has also directed and produced a number of films, including "Waiting to Exhale" (1995), "Hope Floats" (1998), and "Black Nativity" (2013). He has also appeared in a number of television shows, including "ER", "The Shield", and "Empire".
Personal life
Whitaker has been married twice. He has four children, two from his first marriage to actress Kimmi Deanna Whitaker, and two from his second marriage to actress Keisha Nash Whitaker.
Whitaker is a vocal supporter of the arts and education. He is the founder of the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative, a non-profit organization that supports peace and development in Africa. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Sundance Institute.
Awards and honors
- Academy Award for Best Actor (2006)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama (2006)
- BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (2006)
- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (2006)
- Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (2002)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (2016)
- Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Howard University (2007)
- Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Southern California (2013)
